In recent days, I have been receiving emails from friend, NPL colleague, Fantasy Football Legend (he is known as "Mr. NFL" in some circles), and Loyal Reader Bill Harvey, sometimes known as Harveynuts, but always referred to as Harv, that have been critical of my recent criticisms of the Pirates, particularly GM Neal A. Huntington. With all due respect, let me answer some of Harv's criticisms for all the read and, I hope, comment upon.
Criticism #1: Why am I always so critical of the Pirates?
I had to laugh at this one, because for most of the past 17 long years, people I know have accused me of being a Pirates apologist who needs to get rid of his rose colored glasses. I have cared about the Pirates ever since I went to my first game in 1959, and I always have tried to see the positive in what the team has done over the years. However, spending two months watching Aki Iwamura, Charlie Morton, and Jeff Clement do absolutely nothing, while guys in the minors were lighting it up made me reach a breaking point. You know, the old "mad as hell and I'm not going to take in any more" syndrome.
However, Aki has been benched, Morton is in the minors with some phantom injury, and Clement has been sent down, and Walker, Linclon, and Tabata are now in Pittsburgh, so perhaps my incessant criticisms were out of line, or maybe GM Neal has been reading The Grandstander and saw the light (probably not). In any event, score one for GM Neal.
Criticism #2: How about all the good minor leaguers that Neal has brought in to restock the farm system?
Good point. It looks like both Brian Morris and Tim Alderson are starting to come around. If these guys are the real deal, then both the Jason Bay and the Freddy Sanchez trades start to look, if not real good, then at least better deals for the Pirates. On the other hand, if Morris washes out, then the Bay trade becomes a near total bust from the Bucco point of view.
And on the subject of trades, let's give GM Neal good grades on the trade that sent Xavier Nady to the Yankees in '08. The jury is out on Daniel McCutchen, Jeff Karstens looks like a serviceable long relief guy and spot starter, Ross Ohlendorf could be a pretty good starting pitcher, and Jose Tabata has finally arrived. He alone could make this trade the best the Pirates have made since Syd Thrift pried Andy Van Slyke and Mike Lavalliere from St. Louis for Tony Pena.
Criticism #3: Shut up about having Brad Lincoln start against Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday. It would have been too much pressure.
Huh? You have to hope that Brad Lincoln might start a World Series game for the Pirates some day (there's those rose colored glasses again). Starting against the Nationals on a Tuesday night in June, regardless of who was pitching against him, shouldn't be too much pressure for any major league pitcher. Besides it would have been compelling baseball drama - at least from a Pirates fan point of view - and it was chickens**t for the Pirates to wait until the next day for Lincoln's debut.
Criticism #4: How about giving GM Neal credit for building up the system since he has been in charge?
I will be the first to praise GM Neal when these guys start to arrive and, we all hope, start winning a lot of ballgames. However, when the Nealspeil is that Charlie Morton is only a "few feet of ground balls away" from having a really good season, well, my teeth will still be grinding on that kind of front office b.s.
Criticism #5: Why don't I unload on the front office for not spending money and bringing in free agents to help the team?
Interestingly enough, here is where I will NOT be critical of the front office. Free agents? Really? What FA should the Pirates have signed this winter that would have made them a winner in 2010? Jason Bay? Johnny Damon?
If "The Plan" that the Coonelly-Huntington Team has talked about is to work, then let's build up the farm system through trades and the draft. Then, instead of spending wads of cash on washed up free agents, sign the players that have been developed to long term deals. We will find out in a year or so just how sincere the Front Office is about their plan. It would make me feel a lot better about the future to see Andrew McCutchen signed to a long term deal after the 2010 season, than to see them spend eight figures on some free agent way past his prime.
I do like how the Pirates have spent money on the draft in the last few years, and will be interested to see if they can get Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie under contract in time for them to pitch this summer in the system. That is how the Pirates are going to become a good team again.
Many thanks to Harv for being a Loyal Reader and raising these points and giving me the opportunity to respond in kind.
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