The plan to expand the payroll has been rushed forward a year earlier than expected thanks to my solid trades, excellent prospecting, and good free agent pickups. Bob Nutting, majority owner of the Buccos, has vowed to put more "smart money" into the Pirates for pursuing free agents and building the farm.
With that said, as the GM of one of the worst franchises in baseball, I plan to go after a marquee free agent in the outfield market. It may not be a Matt Holliday or one of the best ones, but it will be a young, solid player to complement Jones and McCutchen.
The Pirates will be competing with the Brewers in 2010!