Pittsburgh Pirates Wake Up Call – Careful what you wish for

In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yesterday, long time MLB reporter John Perrotto reported that Steelers minority owner and noted Hollywood figure Thomas Tull may be interested in buying the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bill Brink of the Post Gazette cast doubt on this, citing a source of his own who claimed Tull was not interested.

As always, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. However, despite the rejoicing that some Pittsburgh Pirates fans reveled in upon hearing any morsel of news that involved Bob Nutting stepping away from the team, fans should be careful what they wish for.

The common thought is that the removal of Nutting would automatically mean more spending. The truth is, that is nowhere near a foregone conclusion. No matter who owns the Pittsburgh Pirates, the inequality that still exists in baseball would not go away. The club would still play in a smaller market and attract fewer fans. More money would be nice, but it absolutely would not be a cure-all.

Fans should also consider that a new ownership group usually breezes into town with ideas — baseball ideas — of their own. If Tull, or any other buyer, wanted to remake the team according to what they might want to do, with the people they want to do it with, it could set the team back years.

We just saw this with the Miami Marlins, who were taken over by the Derek Jeter-led ownership group. They are currently setting to slash payroll considerably. Granted, the Jeter group might be less capitalized than a theoretical group led by Tull, but the point stands. Jeter is coming in, clearing house, and starting over. And that is common practice.

This Pittsburgh Pirates team has talent. It has underachieved with that talent. But to expect the continuity of the franchise to continue with a new owner amounts to something akin to a pipe dream.

So. Be careful what you wish for.

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