The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the eye of a deep-seated fan frustration and persistent on-field struggles. Ownership’s financial strategies have long been a point of contention. And that tension reached a new level of clarity with recent comments from a franchise legend. His words cut through the noise, echoing the thoughts of countless followers.

The Buccos really are at a familiar and painful crossroads this year.

The team was 14-29 by mid-May. They had scored 131 runs and had allowed 189. Those struggles ultimately cost manager Derek Shelton his job on May 8th, with the team’s record at 12-26. Under Shelton, the offense ranked a woeful 29th in MLB in key categories. Bench coach Don Kelly became interim manager, going 2-3 in his first five games.

Still, the team remains lodged in last place in the NL Central.

Amid all these, franchise hero Andrew McCutchen validated the fans’ deep-seated frustrations about the team’s direction. “They just want to see them spend money,” McCutchen stated, referring to the fan base. He added they want “a group that is capable of winning a game when you see it on paper.”

This lack of investment fuels hopelessness. Reports indicate the Pirates are averaging just 17,270 tickets sold per game, down slightly. McCutchen concluded, “They’re obviously frustrated…They want to see a winner, and rightfully so. They deserve it.”

McCutchen’s statements come in the wake of frustrations about owner Bob Nutting’s spending philosophy. Critics accuse Nutting of prioritizing profits over investing in the major league roster.

According to reports by Bob Nightengale, the Pirates are highly profitable. He said they stash “a huge chunk of their revenue sharing monies instead of investing.” And their projected 2025 payroll, some $90 million, ranked near the league’s bottom. Their most recent multi-year free-agent contract was signed in 2017, highlighting a reluctance to spend on proven talent.

The future of the Pirates: Investment or more of the same?

And the underperformance this season is nothing new for the Pirates. The 2022 season saw the team finish with a record of 62-100. That year, they were outscored by a massive 226 runs. They managed to score just 591 runs while their opponents scored 817. That difficult campaign was one of two 100-loss seasons under the then-manager Derek Shelton. The team found itself in fourth place in the National League Central division, a reality that has become all too familiar to the Cubs fanbase.

It was a little better in 2023 (76-86). But they still ended up fourth in their division, with a run differential of minus 98. The club experienced more regression in 2024, finishing 76-86 again, but in last place this time.

This lack of improvement under General Manager Ben Cherington, who was hired in late 2019, signals a stalled franchise reset.

But amidst the gloom, rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has been sensational. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year led the team in Wins Above Replacement in 2024. He continued his strong performance into early 2025. Skenes even set a record by not allowing more than six hits in his first 32 major league starts.

The 38-year-old McCutchen also remains a productive hitter and a veteran leader. He was batting .252 with three homers and 14 RBIs by mid-May 2025.

But there’s no denying the fact that the Pirates are caught in a painful cycle of underinvestment, poor results, and growing fan anger. While young talents like Skenes offer hope, the organization risks repeating past mistakes. Unless there is a major break from the ownership’s financial mindset and a real push to be a winner, this team may also lose these stars and its supporters.

The passionate calls to “Sell The Team” echo this deep-seated fear.