Looking Ahead at the Pirates’ 2022 System: Bradenton Marauders

January is upon us. This is the time of year when the major league teams are starting to take shape for the next season. The free agent market is in full swing, maybe a few trades take place, as fans start to see how their team is trying to improve. (I’m told major league teams often try to improve in the off-season. Must be nice.)

We could be debating those issues now, wondering which utility player could make a serious run at the Mendoza Line, or which waiver-claim reliever may have the best shot at keeping his ERA under 6.00.

MLB and the MLBPA decided to show COVID-19 a thing or two about shutting down a sport. Instead, we can read about labor negotiations. Oh, wait, no we can’t. They’re…