For hurting yourselves and keeping the Pirates from doing the same.
The Cards just signed Juan Encarnacion, an outfielder coming off a career year in which he failed to post an 800 OPS, to a three-year, $15 million contract.
Pirates Fan #1 (gloomily): The Pirates can't even afford to sign crappy, third-tier free agents in this market.
Pirates Fan #2: Yes, but at least they can't afford to sign crappy, third-tier free agents in this market.
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In other news, Troy Glaus and perhaps a prospect appear headed to the Jays for Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista. The Pirates almost certainly weren't going to trade for Glaus anyway, but now they definitely aren't.