The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to bringing back Andrew McCutchen for the upcoming season. The team's current payroll is around $49.5 million, down from $75 million last year, despite a 30% increase in attendance. They are expected to have $25-30 million more to spend. Additionally, the Pirates have acquired outfielder Edward Olivares from the Kansas City Royals. Olivares is known for his above-average bat, good arm, speed, and contact, but has some defensive challenges. The trade is tentatively accepted, pending the addition of a player from the Pirates' system.
Pirates acquire Edward Olivares from Royals https://t.co/xtvlae5tAK
#Pirates add to their outfield in Friday night trade with #Royals https://t.co/qqI1BWYhEO https://t.co/CuwgHeLwQn
Edward Olivares is an above average bat. Really good arm, fast, above average contact, average power, it’s all there in differing amounts… but defense. And he’s been worse going forward than backward. Pirates could see something in positioning that can mitigate the d problems.
Today the #Pirates acquired OF Edward Olivares ($0.8M surplus trade value) from the #Royals in exchange for IF Deivis Nadal (not yet in system). The deal is tentatively accepted by our model, pending Nadal's addition.
Pirates to acquire Edward Olivares from Royals https://t.co/gqpGz8t5Dm
Pirates Acquire Edward Olivares From Royals https://t.co/pWNC6viEna https://t.co/410D9uOdVX
Counting pre-arb estimates, the Pirates' current payroll is around $49.5 mil. Last year it was $75 mil, and their attendance increased almost 30% year over year. Even accounting for their ultra-cheapness / not trying, they SHOULD still have at least $25-30 mil more to spend
The Pirates entered the offseason wanting to bring Andrew McCutchen back. Based on what I know, we're very close to that happening: https://t.co/IT2JnjRolA