The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be a favorite for Jorge Polanco... until they weren't.
The star second baseman signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Mets in free agency, an eminently affordable deal for a player who hit 26 home runs and posted a 134 wRC+ this past season.
Considering that the Pirates badly need power hitters and supposedly have money to spend this offseason, missing out on Polanco after coming up short in the Kyle Schwarber sweepstakes isn't the best look.
There's still plenty of free agents (and trade targets) who could aid in the Pirates' push back to the playoffs next season, but with the Winter Meetings in the rearview mirror, it's clear that that time is running out on the Buccos to put their money where their mouth is.