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In this June 8, 2011 file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting, right, and President Frank Coonelly, left, watch batting practice before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh. (AP photo / February 20, 2013) |
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting looked over the $10 million renovation of McKechnie Field — the team's spring training home — and took a moment to marvel at how far the franchise has come since he took over five years ago.
"Our progress in Bradenton really reflects where we're at as an organization," Nutting said during a sneak preview of the facility's facelift, which will officially be unveiled in an intrasquad game on Friday.
It took contractors four months to construct the new boardwalk that runs behind the entire outfield, add 2,000 additional seats and introduce a cascade of amenities.
Nutting's team may have about that much time to prove it's ready to take the next step forward.
Though the owner stressed he's focused on the club's long-term development, he acknowledged it's time for the long-floundering Pirates to end 20 years of losing in 2013.
"We're in a position now we've got to make a run, we've got to push the chips in early in the season," Nutting said.
The goal is to be in a good spot at the trading deadline — as Pittsburgh was a year ago — and learn from last summer's mistakes, when the acquisitions of Gaby Sanchez and Travis Snider failed to provide a spark and the Pirates slipped from 16 games over .500 to a 79-83 finish.
"I think we learned a lot of lessons last year," Nutting said. "One of them was: What is the impact in terms of the clubhouse? Where are we making too much change? Where are we not making enough impact?"
The Pirates addressed their catching depth by signing All-Star Russell Martin. They brought in starting rotation depth by signing lefthander Francisco Liriano and bringing back veteran righthander Jeff Karstens. Throw in All-Star centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, improving third baseman Pedro Alvarez and highly touted outfielder Starling Marte and Nutting believes the pieces are in place for the Pirates to compete for a championship.
Though he remains cognizant of the financial restraints of playing in a smaller market, he pointed to the team's $70 million payroll — a club record — as proof the franchise is willing to invest to win. He just doesn't want the club to bankrupt its future for marginal success in the present.
