Let's go Bucs!!! (Pittsburgh, Butler: luxury, tax, store)

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by sskink

As former minority owner Lustig noted in an interview last year, Nutting is nothing if not a savvy businessman. And when demand goes up, a good businessman will raise prices.

OTOH, Lustig also noted Nutting is not an owner who will overspend to deliver a winner. He's always going to make a profit. But Nutting has increased payroll each of the past four years. Not to the levels many would like, but from $44 mill in 2010 to $81 mill in 2014.

We know from monies earmarked to approve acquisitions that Neal ultimately didn't deliver that a payroll of about $90 million was cleared for this year. So something near that should be expected for next year. And they're going to need every cent of that as the division will likely be even more difficult with the Reds getting healthy again and the Cubs getting better.

Of interest is the Dodgers bringing in Andrew Friedman from the Rays. I think that eliminates Martin going to LA, so one less potential suitor that might outbid the Pirates.

One can dream though, and in that dream, the Bucs surprise everyone and sign Fernandez, the Cuban 2b who defected yesterday to 7 years and $85 million. Move Walker to first, trade Pedro for pitching. That would represent a commitment to winning and Nutting could still make a tidy profit.

Edit: Just saw Bannister named as new manager for Rangers. That could mean he may try to grab some other coaches with him - hopefully not Branson, who IMO actually did make a difference this year unlike every other hitting coach the Bucs have had recently. And who knows, maybe Friedman makes an offer to Fox and/or Fitzgerald since he's going to need some data geeks out in LA. So it's not just the players on the field everyone needs to be concerned with.

I certainly would't believe that $90 million was "earmarked".

Why would Friedman going to LA eliminate them from signing Martin?

Interesting that Bucs raise tix the same day they're reported to be making Martin the qualifying offer. When will the Bucs be signing him? I'm ready to be surprised.

[Copanut]

In the old days people would say, The Pirates will sign Martin when they put a man on the Moon. Just change it to Mars.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Copanut

In the old days people would say, The Pirates will sign Martin when they put a man on the Moon. Just change it to Mars.

I'm saying Pluto, but I do realize that many drink the West Virginia Kool-Aid that Bob waters down.

[sskink]

Bucs or no Bucs, this is one helluva great NLDS.

Can you believe freaking Ishikawa wins it?

[Goodjules]

ISHIKAWA! Thank you, Pittsburgh!

[erieguy]

Good to see him productive. Maybe he just needed the Searage treatment when he was here.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Goodjules

ISHIKAWA! Thank you, Pittsburgh!

Great stuff.

[Copanut]

I can't believe Nutting let him go, that cheap SOB!!! Get some money together and bring him back, the heck with Martin.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I can't believe Nutting let him go, that cheap SOB!!! Get some money together and bring him back, the heck with Martin.

If there were more here that watch teams other than the Bucs, there would be requests to bring him back because of that homerun.

Royals haven't been in the postseason since '85 and it was suggested to emulate their model. While the Bucs certainly need to spend more, it's great stuff for sure.

[Copanut]

Really glad the Cards didn't make it, arrogant fans. Let's go Travis!!!