According to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pittsburgh Pirates are spending their money more strategically.  Rather than focusing their spending on player payroll, the team is spending more on facilities, scouting and player development.

According the article, the Pirates have spent more than $11 million on long-term capital improvements since 2007.  The club also spend more than $10 million on scouting, the draft and international player signings.

The capital improvements by the team include:  a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, renovations to their Plant City facility, equipment and facility upgrades at PNC Park and Pirate City and purchasing a low Class A team and relocating it to Bradenton, Florida (Bradenton Marauders).

In response to this article, ESPN.com says, “But one thing is clear: The Pirates want nothing to do with free agency. So for all you Pirates fanatics hoping for a Ben Sheets or Orlando Hudson signing, forget it.”