Former MLB GM says Pirates 'not far from being an elite challenging team'

Perceived goals for the 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates certainly have shifted over the course of the season.

When they broke spring training, the target simply seemed to be to show a little bit of improvement on a 100-loss campaign from the previous year and avoid finishing in last place.

By the end of a 20-8 April, that eye level shifted to, “Can they win the division? Can they at least make the playoffs?”

Since then, the conversation sunk to, “Can they at least finish over .500?” And now it’s down to “Can they at least get more than 67½ wins?”

Ya know, for those of us that may have taken the “over” win total back in March.

Pfft, see! So many of you call me a pessimist. Look at how much faith I had.

Yeah, my prediction was 72-90. I assumed that the Buccos would be improved enough to hit the over and at least avoid the National League Central cellar.

That prediction is teetering. Entering Monday’s 7-2 loss to the New York Mets, the Pirates were on pace to win between 71 and 72 games. So pretty much right on my magic number.

I’m certainly going to be hesitant about betting any more of the ol’ 401k on the over-total next year or predicting another 10-win improvement.

But it sure sounds like former MLB general manager Dan O’Dowd may do exactly that.

Appearing on the MLB Network on Sunday, O’Dowd was asked, “When you think about organizations with losing records, which is best positioned for next season?”

“This may shock some people, and a caveat to this will be if they spend some money this winter on what their holes are, I love where the Pirates are at right now,” O’Dowd said.

"I think if you're a @Pirates fan, there's a lot to get excited about in the next couple years."#MLBTonight | @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/uVyclhLlfV

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 14, 2023

Yes, I am shocked. And, that “if they spend some money” line is a rather big caveat, indeed.

Not to mention the defensive impacts of Jason Delay and Alika Williams (through assessment or likely playing time) seem to be overstated. As is the projection of when Termarr Johnson may make the big-league club. But do continue, Dan.

“This team to me is not far from being an elite challenging team. … There is tremendous floor for all these guys and tremendous upside for all these guys. So I think if you’re a Pirates fan, there’s a lot to get excited about in the next couple of years,” O’Dowd added.

Well, “the next couple of years” is a little different answer than “next season.” And that’s where O’Dowd’s analysis of Johnson and pitcher Paul Skenes may come into play.

But if you also notice in that video, the former Colorado Rockies general manager left prospective trade/free-agent holes for two starting pitching spots and a first baseman.

In other words, two Rich Hills and next year’s Carlos Santana. Again.

Next year, though, they’d need to remain good beyond April and (I assume) remain on the roster beyond the trade deadline.

More sports

• TD showed so much of how George Pickens’ further limitless potential can be tapped for Steelers
• Mark Madden: Steelers' Kwon Alexander, Keeanu Benton have talent, pedigree to earn starting roles
• Pitt left off Top 25 preseason poll, but no big deal ... rankings have created talking points for 88 years

O’Dowd made reference to his time in the Cleveland Indians front office when that franchise added Dennis Martinez, Eddie Murray and Orel Hershiser.

Awesome. Sounds good to me.

But that goes back to that rather large “caveat” that O’Dowd dangled out there about the Pirates being willing to spend — and spend wisely — in the offseason.

In other words, the same conversation we advanced here at “Breakfast With Benz” a week ago.

O’Dowd calls it a caveat. I call it a pipe dream.

And I’ll save you all the time of scampering to your emails and X accounts. I am aware the Pirates are playing the $350 million New York Mets this week. I am aware that both teams entered the series with the same record. I am aware that spending a lot doesn’t guarantee winning.

I’m also aware that since 1996, in those 28 years, either the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or Los Angeles Dodgers have had MLB’s highest payroll 25 times. I’m also aware they have combined for 14 World Series appearances.

So I’d rather spend than not.

I hope O’Dowd gets his wish. It’s certainly one most Pittsburgh baseball fans share. But that “next couple of years” addendum O’Dowd used, as opposed to the direct question about next year, is more likely what Pirates fans are looking at in terms of a timeline.

Then again, isn’t that always the case in Pittsburgh?