Hardly thought I'd write that, this year at least, but they did an honorable thing and deserve a toast for it.
I tried to be gentle when I pointed up their role in the baseless ass-kicking Littlefield endured for that the trade. They should realize that it's only because I think highly of their work, potential, and influence that I blame them, in part, for having to hear or read comments like this a hundred times before April 25th.
I get alarmed about poison in the well because any rebuilding is fragile. This team, as far as they've come, could fall on their face next year. The Pirates still have a long way to go in the attendance department and nothing encourages progress like large and enthusiastic crowds. Knee-jerk negativity about the players, the owners, the GM, or the scouting people will not help to arouse the legion of dormant Pirate fans and point them in the direction of beautiful PNC Park. And I doubt the Pirates will win another championship before they start selling out their home games on a regular basis. There's a synergy there. As the team wins, the fans come back; as the fans come back, the team wins. With editorials like this one, the Baseball Prospectus people offer a brother a hand up. And for that we say huzza.
After we return to the World Series and vanquish the Yankees next October, then no small amount of discouragement will keep the fans away and we'll abide it cheerfully.
P.S. FWIW, the Bucs did "fix" Oliver Perez, as we learned at the end of Spring Training. I kinda doubt Jason Bay needed any fixing.
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