OnlyBucs

6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote: The Cubs have completely gutted their farm system




To acquire talent that now has them as the #2 betting favorite (behind LAD) to win the 2017 World Series.



6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote: only look like a shell of the team that won last year.




A shell that was still likely to win the division and be a contender even before the trades that put them as the #2 favorite to win the World Series.



0B3628252A202B092136272120440 wrote: They should have been less thrifty with prospects in 2014 & 15, but can't cry over spilled milk.


I don't agree with that at all. What happened before can't be changed, but it can certainly be used to point out that a negative pattern exists.



6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote:

The Pirates still have ... some impact prospects in AAA and some other future MLB players sprinkled through Altoona and Bradenton. They've also just completely rebuilt their lower levels with the last two drafts and some international prospects.


Completely true. Unfortunately so does the rest of the division (outside the Cubs who are already stocked with proven top notch Major League talent – not guys who may never even make the majors let alone become impact players). Bleacher Report has the Pirates post trade deadline farm system ranked at #14. The Brewers are #4, Reds #9, and Cards #11. The farm system that both loyal fans and seemingly Pirates management are holding in such high regard is now considered barely above league average, and second worst in the division.



6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote: will hopefully pull the trigger on some impact deadline deals to make an actual WS run.


That ever growing pile of spilled milk over there in the corner makes that seem highly unlikely.

7965687E7E740D0 wrote: The Cubs have completely gutted their farm system




To acquire talent that now has them as the #2 betting favorite (behind LAD) to win the 2017 World Series.



6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote:   only look like a shell of the team that won last year.




A shell that was still likely to win the division and be a contender even before the trades that put them as the #2 favorite to win the World Series.



0B3628252A202B092136272120440 wrote: They should have been less thrifty with prospects in 2014 & 15, but can't cry over spilled milk.


I don't agree with that at all.  What happened before can't be changed, but it can certainly be used to point out that a negative pattern exists.



6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote:

The Pirates still have ... some impact prospects in AAA and some other future MLB players sprinkled through Altoona and Bradenton.  They've also just completely rebuilt their lower levels with the last two drafts and some international prospects.


Completely true. Unfortunately so does the rest of the division (outside the Cubs who are already stocked with proven top notch Major League talent –  not guys who may never even make the majors let alone become impact players).  Bleacher Report has the Pirates post trade deadline farm system ranked at #14.  The Brewers are #4, Reds #9, and Cards #11.  The farm system that both loyal fans and seemingly Pirates management are holding in such high regard is now considered barely above league average, and second worst in the division.



6558464B444E45674F58494F4E2A0 wrote: will hopefully pull the trigger on some impact deadline deals to make an actual WS run.


That ever growing pile of spilled milk over there in the corner makes that seem highly unlikely.




Thank you.  Ever played that arcade game where you try to wack some animal as it pokes its head out if random holes? right as you swing the rats head disappears and pops out of another hole.



It's a fun arcade game. But not when it comes to the Pirates. The Pirates play that game better than they play baseball.