The Pirates made a splash (or probably just a ripple) at the annual MLB Winter Meetings on Tuesday when they acquired infielder Spencer Horwitz from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for three pitchers–one promising young Major League starter and two prospects.

The promising young Major Leaguer is Luis Ortiz, who had a bit of a breakout year in 2024, going 7-6 in 37 appearances, including 15 starts. Ortiz struck out 107 batters in 135.2 innings; he posted a 3.32 ERA and an impressive 1.11 WHIP (walks and hits to innings pitched). The two prospects are Micheal Kennedy and Josh Hartle, a couple of recently drafted lefties. It’s too early to say what these prospects will turn into, but Kennedy was moving up the ranks in the Buccos’ farm system.

Big deal, though, right? So, the Pirates parted with promising pitchers to address a glaring weakness in their offensive lineup. It hasn’t officially been determined just yet, but Horwitz, who played with the Blue Jays in 2024 before being dealt to Cleveland and then Pittsburgh in a matter of hours, seems destined to be the Pirates’ answer at first base in 2025.

At least they hope so.

That’s right, the Pirates traded for yet another player they hope will turn into something.

Horwitz, a 24th-round pick by the Blue Jays in the 2019 MLB Draft, made his Major League debut in 2023, but it was brief (just 39 at-bats). Horwitz began the 2024 season in the minors before being called up in early June. In 381 plate appearances, Horwitz posted a .265 batting average, a .357 on-base percentage and a .790 OPS. He belted 12 home runs and tallied 40 RBI. Not horrible numbers for a former 24th-round draft choice, but Horwitz is obviously still unproven.

He also just turned 27 in November.

I have no problem with the Pirates trading from a position of strength, and pitching is certainly that for them. In addition to rookie phenom Paul Skenes as their ace, the Pirates head into 2025 with the slightly lesser rookie phenom, Jared Jones, as their number-two, and veteran Mitch Keller in place as their number-three starter. Johan Oviedo, who turned in a promising 2023 campaign, is set to return after missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery. Also, three of Pittsburgh’s top-five prospects are pitchers–including Bubba Chandler (one), Braxton Ashcraft (four) and Thomas Harrington (five).

The Pirates have been able to identify, acquire and develop pitching talent but have mostly failed to do that when it comes to their lineup. If you can’t develop something then you need to trade for it or sign someone as a free agent, right?

True, but Spencer Horwitz?

A player like that is going to get the fans excited enough to fully buy into the 2025 season?

The Pirates closed with a bang in 2023, finishing with a 76-86 record. After a promising first few months of a 2024 campaign that included the debut of Skenes, Pittsburgh slumped badly in August and ultimately posted the same 76-86 mark. While Bryan Reynolds turned in a solid year, Oneil Cruz failed to live up to his superstar potential in 2024 and struggled so badly at shortstop that he was permanently moved to centerfield by season’s end. It was a lost year for Ke’Bryan Hayes over at third base. Whether injuries–primarily his back–were solely to blame or not is irrelevant. All we know for sure is that Hayes has failed to live up to the hype surrounding him before his MLB debut in 2020. Jared Triolo is a dependable utility infielder who picked up a gold glove for his defensive prowess in 2024. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is a solid veteran who can play just about anywhere–including third base and shortstop–but the Buccos clearly need an offensive upgrade at the hot corner.

They also came into the offseason needing an offensive upgrade at first base. Carlos Santana was great in 2023. Rowdy Tellez was hit or miss in 2024.

Along with third base and right field–the front office decided not to tender trade-deadline acquisition, Bryan De La Cruz–first base was seen as a position where Pittsburgh should and would spend a little more than usual to bring in an established veteran who could make the lineup more formidable.

Instead, the Buccos brought in an unproven 27-year-old with years of control.

It’s the same old story, and the Pirates aren’t even trying to fool the fans anymore.

I mean, if you’re not going to spend out of your comfort zone when you have Skenes, when will you?

Nobody is asking the Pirates to try and compete with the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees of the world. That is impossible, given baseball’s financial system.

Just make an effort, especially when it’s obvious that it could make an immediate impact at a particular position.

The Pirates obviously want to see if Cruz can fully reach his potential in center. Maybe they’re still holding out hope for Hayes over at third base. Perhaps they still believe in youngsters like Jack Suwinski for one of the corner outfield spots. Heck, Joey Bart did so well at catcher after being acquired early in 2024 that it made Henry Davis’s lost year a little easier to swallow. And if neither of those guys works out at the position, they have the very promising Endy Rodriguez returning after missing all of 2024 with an injury.

First base was the one position that could have seen a major upgrade without hindering a prospect’s future. Yet, they brought in a prospect to fill the role.

It just sucks.

The Pirates have no desire to spend even a little money.

What’s the point of having a pitcher like Skenes if you don’t want to try and win while he’s here? He’s not going to be in Pittsburgh for long. Why not do what you can to make your lineup as potent as possible until it’s time to send him to Los Angeles or New York?

Again, this just sucks. Baseball’s financial system might be horrible, but there are extra rounds to the playoffs now. There is a best-of-three wildcard series. There are ways for teams with limited finances to advance deep into the postseason.

It might not be ideal, but it’s all fans of small-market organizations have.

It’s one thing to be restricted. It’s another thing to not even try.

Bob Nutting isn’t interested in trying, and if you didn’t think so before, how does Spencer Horwitz make you feel?