This article on their pursuit of Miguel Angel Sano is quite interesting.
On the Pirates: Sano a risk either way
It makes a great point that the pirates might be at crossroads in terms of their future international scouting. Right now they have a good camp in the Dominican Republic and get looks at talent other teams don't. But the patience for the Pirates not spending over 400k is probably wearing thin.
Getting superstar Sano while costing an absurd 4 million will have so many future effects including scout moral, improved relations in the Dominican, and showing to their fans they are serious about winning.
This is kinda like when the Red Sox paid for a over-priced Dice-K but the residual effects were great: New TV/Marketing deal for Japan, Okajima coming, and then since those 2 had come over and been successful Tazawa decided the Red Sox had the best program for Japanese pitchers and also chose the Sox despite our deep pitching well.
I really think the Pirates NEED to get Sano as a watershed moment for their International scouting movement.