Dejan Kovacevic took a look at NL Central payrolls this morning. This is something that I have been contemplating a bit recently. If you look around the division, there are some encouraging signs for Pirate fans.
- The Cubs owe Alfonso Soriano $18 million per year through 2014. Last year, Soriano hit .241/.303/.423 while playing a lousy left field, a performance that left him well below replacement level. They can probably afford this contract albatross, but it surely does not help.
- Matt Holliday is unlikely to fall off as abruptly as it seems Soriano has, but he just signed a pretty large contract for a team that generally boasts a payroll that is only a bit above average. With Albert Pujols eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, I would be wary of committing a large amount of money to a 30-year-old corner outfielder.
- I have no idea what Ed Wade is doing.
None of these concerns will necessarily doom the respective team. But as a Pirate fan, they certainly bring a smile to my face.
