Pirates ranked 28th overall, last in NL in payroll last season, per league figures

Kevin Gorman | Thursday, January 19, 2023 11:43 a.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Pirates owner Bob Nutting talks with team president Travis Williams on the field before a game against the Phillies on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at PNC Park.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had the lowest payroll in the National League and third-lowest in baseball in 2022, at $61,196,070, according to MLB figures obtained by the Associated Press.

The Pirates ranked 28th overall, directly behind the Cleveland Guardians ($69,080,715) and ahead of only the Baltimore Orioles ($60,377,739) and Oakland Athletics ($49,066, 454). After going 61-101 in 2021, the Pirates had an Opening Day payroll of $55,761,800, per Cot’s Contracts, and finished 62-100 to record back-to-back 100-loss seasons for the first time since they had three consecutive from 1952-54.

The Pirates’ payroll was less than half of those of three of their National League Central counterparts, as the division champion St. Louis Cardinals ranked 12th ($165,364,899), the Chicago Cubs 14th ($152,535,284) and the Milwaukee Brewers 19th ($135,169,682). The Cincinnati Reds, who also finished 62-100, ranked 22nd at $112,835,589.

Six teams exceeded the $200 million mark and received the luxury tax, per the AP, with the New York Mets setting a luxury tax record at $299.8 million after spending the most at $274,912,453, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers at $270,591,767. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox also were taxed.

The Pirates have $58,137,500 committed to 13 players for the 2023 season. Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes ($10 million) and outfielder Bryan Reynolds ($6.75 million) were under contract, and the Pirates spent $30,375,000 on six players in free agency and avoided arbitration by agreeing to $11,012,500 in deals with five players.

They should exceed the 2022 payroll after an arbitration hearing with first baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi, who was offered $4.65 million but requested $5.4 million. The Pirates also have to finalize their 26-man Opening Day roster, and the minimum salary is $720,000.