Bob Nutting, fairly or not, has developed a reputation of being a cheap owner in the eyes of many Pittsburgh Pirates fans.

That perception of Nutting likely isn’t going away anytime soon. The Pirates are projected to have a $69 million payroll to open the 2020 season, according to Tribune-Review research.

It would place the Pirates 29th among the 30 major league teams. Only the Baltimore Orioles, at $65 million, are in line to have a lower figure.

The Pirates finished last season with a payroll of $74 million, which also was the second lowest in the majors to the Tampa Bay Rays’ $65 million. While the Rays won the second American League wild card, the Pirates finished last in the National League Central for the first time since 2010 with a 69-93 record.

The Pirates have 15 players under contract for a total of $58.615 million.

Center fielder Starling Marte is the highest-paid Pirate with an $11.5 million salary. However, there is a decent chance he could be traded before the Pirates open the season March 28 against the Rays in what could be called the Low Payroll Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Right-hander Chris Archer is second on the list at $9 million and is followed by Gregory Polanco ($8.6 million), Felipe Vazquez ($5.75 million), Josh Bell ($4.8 million), Keone Kela ($3.725 million), Trevor Williams ($2.825 million), Adam Frazier ($2.8 million), Joe Musgrove ($2.8 million), Jameson Taillon ($2.25 million), Michael Feliz ($1.1 million), Guillermo Heredia ($1 million), Luke Maile ($900,000), Chad Kuhl ($840,000) and Erik Gonzalez ($725,000).

Vazquez is unlikely to play for the Pirates in 2020 as he is on the restricted list after his arrest in September for statutory sexual assault, among other charges. Players on the restricted list do not get paid.

Most of the remaining roster spots likely are to be filled by players at or close to the $563,500 minimum salary. Of course, the Pirates could acquire some players making more than that, though a major expenditure seems unlikely.

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