Pittsburgh and Cleveland had similar payrolls 2013 - 2015.
“Pittsburgh and Cleveland had similar payrolls 2013 - 2015.”
Yes, but as Cleveland improved during that same timeframe, they spent more money to fill their holes. They took a risk. The Pirates choose to maintain a status quo, shoot for 85 wins if everything goes right, and keep on promising a future that never comes.
I guarantee you Cleveland will win a World Series long before the Pirates ever win their *division* while Bob Nutting owns that team.