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Pirates GM Upbeat On Team's Direction Despite Low Payroll

Cherington said that the Pirates' payroll will have to increase in order to stay competitiveGETTY IMAGES

The Pirates are on course to open the season with a $52M payroll, which would be one of the "lowest" in MLB, according to John Perrotto of TRIBLIVE.com. Pirates GM Ben Cherington said, "The total investment in the baseball operation is not ‘just enough’ but really competitive with the rest of the teams in the major leagues." He added, "I’m really confident and feel good about the resources being there when we need them." Perrotto noted Pirates Owner Bob Nutting was "heavily criticized" for not giving former Exec VP & GM Neal Huntington the "money necessary to make a major trade when the Pirates were contending" for the NL Central title from '13-15. Yet, Cherington "believes the Pirates won’t be hamstrung the next time they get into a pennant race." He said, "I’m confident that will increase over time as we get deeper into building and opportunities exist to add to our group" (TRIBLIVE.com, 2/16). Cherington also said players "deserve to be paid," adding, "We need to pay them." Cherington: "The payroll will need to increase in order to have the winning team we envision" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/17). 

NUTTING CONFIDENT IN DIRECTION: Nutting yesterday said he is "more comfortable and confident with where the club is headed right now than I have been." In Pittsburgh, Nubyjas Wilborn notes Nutting's comments "fall in line with the theme of necessary change in how the Pirates operate since the team parted ways" with Huntington, manager Clint Hurdle and President Frank Coonelly. Nutting: "There was a lot of frustration we heard from inside of the organization and from fans. To be able to get that turned around into a renewed focus and fresh direction are all words we're going to use. It starts to feel tangible when you really see it on the field and the energy from the players" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/18). 

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