The Pittsburgh Pirates have faced criticism for their lack of spending in the offseason, with their last multi-year free agent signing dating back to 2016 when they acquired starting pitcher Iván Nova. This long gap underscores a broader trend among MLB teams, as the Pirates stand alone in refraining from signing free agents to multi-year contracts in recent years.

Owner Bob Nutting's reluctance to sell the team and GM Ben Cherington's limited external acquisitions since 2019 have left many fans frustrated. Despite extending key players like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds, the lack of investment in free agency raises questions about the future of emerging talents like Oneil Cruz and Paul Skenes, potentially hindering the Pirates' prospects.