North Shore Nine

The offseason has not even officially started yet as competent teams vie for the World Series crown. Yet, have the Pirates already failed the offseason. Many fan and media junkets alike looked for accountability in the way of a massive overhaul of staffing. Instead, they were greeted with the expected sacrificial lambs in the forms of a hitting coach, a bullpen coach and a strength and conditioning coach. To further frustrate the fanbase, it was rumored on 10/3 that Terry Francona would be taking over the Cincinnati Reds managerial opening, a manager the Pirates could have sorely used. Now, a great manager is not everything, and would not guarantee anything on the field, but at the same time good managers can change a game. Giving the management team one last bite at the apple is admirable by Bob “Ski Resorts first” Nutting, however the fans may deserve better than that. But maybe it was the right call, maybe Cherington has a plan to get a foundation of a playoff team in the offseason with some key acquisitions.

“If we’re talking about wins and losses, which is ultimately what we need to improve, that’s going to be driven in Pittsburgh, certainly in part, by improvement of players at the major league level, but also largely though continuing to be better at the draft and getting more out of our international scouting operation. Getting more out of trades, getting more out of minor league player development.” Ben Cherington was quoted saying this in his recent press conference, noticeably absent, free agency. While every other team in similar or smaller markets go out and add free agents, the Pirates GM does not even mention it in a speech about how he needs to do better at his job, to which Pirates fans scream in unison “No shit!”. Ben is right in that it takes many facets to build a winning team, however ignoring FA as an avenue toward that is asinine. We all understand the self-imposed budget limitations for the Pirates, especially with their payroll being estimated around 80 million without any additions this offseason. However, there is no reason it couldn’t be 120 million, there is no reason the Pirates could not go out and spent 30 million on free agents this offseason, greatly increasing the Pirates playoff chances for next year. Instead after the comments fans are bracing for more of the usual in one-year deals for low tier free agents, which will undoubtedly lead to the same results.

Maybe, just maybe everyone is overblowing things and there is a legit plan in place for the offseason. Maybe Ben “What are Free agents” Cherington is working on his smoke and mirrors game and has an aggressive free agency plan. Or maybe he has a “Cunning Plan” much like Baldrich in the British Series Blackadder, and has trades all but lined up. Maybe Bob “Mmmm Newspapers” Nutting is playing 3D Chess and is about to hire Kim Ng as a new special assistant to the GM and Skip Shumaker as the teams new hitting coach. Basically, setting them up to take over for Shelton and Cherington if they once again fail to meet muster. Or, as what is sadly most likely, the Pirates management will continue to dabble in mediocrity and make no meaningful addition to the staff or team in the offseason. If that is the case then the fanbase will be in for another rough season, something they have become very-very used to over the last few decades.