The Pirates are entering their second full year of rebuilding.
While 2022 isn't expected to be much better than 2021, it should be a more exciting season for the team, with young talent making its way through the system, rather than plugging in players in and out of the lineup through the season.
So when will the Pirates be successful again? According to General Manager Ben Cherington, "sooner than some think."
Cherington made the comments on MLB Network's High Heat on Thursday.
Asked what he would tell fans what year that the Pirates will be competitive again, Cherington gave a diplomatic answer, not giving an exact year, but did make the sooner than later comments.
"We think we've done some of the work that we need to do to move closer to that, we have more to do, more work to day for sure," said Cherington.
Cherington added that a large group of the players that will report to Spring Training in February will be key pieces of the next winning team in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates already have Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds in Pittsburgh, with Oneil Cruz possibly getting called up before the 2022 year ends. Joining Cruz could be second baseman Nick Gonzales, pitcher Roansy Contreras, first baseman Mason Martin and outfielder Cal Mitchell
Overall 1st round draft pick Henry Davis is projected for 2024, pitcher Quinn Priester 2023 and Liover Peguero 2023 just to name a few.
Of course a looming lockout could blow everything up.
