Draft Spending Not A Victim Of Payroll Increase

As a fellow, long time, Pirates fan, we have endured an entire generation of losing, and have become speculative of all the teams moves, on and off of the field. In September, of last year, Frank Coonelly, Pirates team president, made it public that they were going to be adding around $15M, increasing the payroll to the low to mid $50M's, from 2010 to 2011. With the intention of adding solid starting pitching, and a solid bat, at right field or first base, the $15M increase was going to get be spoken for very quickly.

By now, we all know the Pirates have added; Lyle Overbay, Matt Diaz, Kevin Correia and Scott Olsen, but have yet to add a big impact pitcher, that they seek. According Pirates Prospects, the estimated payroll, at this time, for 2011 is $40.5M, giving around $10M to spend on a pitcher, or two. With there being only a few high impact pitchers remaining, I was curious as to what would happen, if they were to sign a Type A free agent pitcher.

The Type A free agent pitcher, performed within the top 20% at his position, the prior year. There were four big named, Type A pitchers this year; Cliff Lee, Ted Lilly, Jorge De LeRosa, and Carl Pavano. The Pirates were linked early to De LeRosa, who since has re-signed with the Colorado Rockies, and there have been some rumors of them having interest in, the only remaining Type A pitcher remaining, Carl Pavano.

If the Pirates were to sign a Type A free agent, that had been offered arbitration, by his previous team, and declined it, the signing team must forfeit a first or second round pick, depending on the previous years record. In the newest addition of Pirates Inbox, I submitted a question, and was answered:

Hypothetically, if the Pirates were to spend the money and acquire a Type A player, like Carl Pavano, and lose a second-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, would they be using that money on the 2011 payroll, since they wouldn't be signing another above-slot Draft pick?
-- Dave P., Nemacolin, Pa.

When the Pirates have talked about Draft and payroll budgets, they have always done so distinguishing the two. In other words, the pool of money used in the Draft is entirely separate of the pool used for the Major League payroll. That said, no, money saved in one area would not be shuffled to address another need. Instead, that money could be used to sign other players in the 2011 Draft.

With the Pirates spending 'out of pocket,' it does show there is dedication to become a winning team, and with the increase, to the big league payroll, not affecting the amount being spent on the draft, as a long time fan, I'm excited to see what move they make next.