PIRATES

Here's the full transcript of the 1-on-1 conversation I had with Bob Nutting here today: 

Q: There was more of an investment this offseason. Payroll went up, external additions were added to this team. What went into those decisions and more of an investment into the club? 

A: "Yeah, I think the really interesting thing about the 2026 team is most of the team has been built over time. It's not an overnight, patch it together, in one offseason. Our starting pitcher today, Mitch Keller, was signed in 2014, 12 years ago, signed to an extension, and all of the pitchers in our current rotation, are pitchers we've drafted, so it takes real time to build that foundation, and I think we have persevered through some ups and downs to be able to get to where we are. So to get to this year, I believe, and I think it's clear that we had that foundation stable enough, solid enough that the additions that we were able to build in the offseason, adding the offense, adding a little bit of more defensive support, adding into the bullpen. Those are the pieces that are additive on the base that should push us over the edge this year. And so the building block was the most important thing to me." 

Q: Have you seen kind of a 180 in terms of the fan base compared to a year ago, just seeing the investment that fans have wanted to see in the ball club? 

A: "I really see the same fan base. I see a fan base that cares deeply about this team, that's heavily invested in the team and loves this team. Last year, it appropriately came out as disappointment and anger because we weren't delivering the team that they deserved, and frankly that we wanted to. We saw that throughout the course of last season. I think it's that same passion, that same energy that you're seeing with the honest and earned enthusiasm for these young guys out on the field. I'm appreciative of the fan base for what they do. As appreciative when they're angry with us as when they're pleased with us because I think it all comes from the same spot of deep, deep appreciation, and frankly, I care deeply about this team and couldn't be more excited about where we are right now." 

Q: Adding to the excitement of opening day is Konnor Griffin making his major-league debut. How excited is the organization to have a player, a 19-year-old who is that talented, and is there urgency to keep him a Pirate for a long time? 

A: "Konnor's an amazing baseball player, an amazing young man. He's 19 years old, and we couldn't be more excited to have him here with us, simply for what he'll contribute to the team right now. And he is a remarkable character, human being. The person behind the player, so that leadership ability, he's going to reflect what we need in a player in Pittsburgh. He's exactly the kind of person that we should make a bet on for a long-term deal. We've done that consistently in the past, whether it's a Mitch Keller, whether it's a Bryan Reynolds, identifying those players who we believe can have real input, and he certainly would be a candidate for that kind of discussion." 

Q: Is Paul Skenes in that category, too? Is that a possibility to make sure he remains a Pirate? 

A: "Paul's absolutely remarkable from every one of those standpoints. An incredibly talented pitcher, as well as the other pitchers we see on the field, and an incredibly impactful leader. We see that in the clubhouse, we see that in the way he's interacted with me as he's tried to make the entire organization better. Gives me good honest feedback where he thinks we as an organization can raise the bar. Nothing but respect and appreciation for Paul." 

Q: Would you like to make sure he's a Pirate long term as well? 

A: "I think those are the kinds of players who can have incredible impact, incredible impact on the organization.

Q: What are the expectations for this group? 

A: "Yeah, so every year our expectation should be to [make the] postseason and win a World Series. I think it is a realistic expectation this year, if this team performs the way they can, if what we're seeing already is consistent, if we need to get a little lucky with injuries and have some balls bounce the right way, but I don't see any reason that we should be waffling from a World Series as our expectation."

Q: I know there's the thought that there could be a lockout in 2027. What are your thoughts on a salary cap?

A: "Yeah, I really think that the collective bargaining, what might be a position or what might be a proposal, really is up to the commissioner's office. Those are New York issues. What we need to be focused on is the Pittsburgh Pirates here in 2026, winning every single game we can, coming out every day with an intent to win that game and intent to be playing important games in October and pushing our way to the end of the season."