OnlyBucs

Didn't catch it. Sorry.



I'm not big on this stuff, myself. I guess others are into it more.

An issue to consider is tenure.



In many cases, past guys stayed oom a team longer. So, where does that leave us? Guys who stuck around, like Doumut, Wilson, Cutch, Marte, and others. It's different.



Next year is the 10th anniversary of the team from that time who at least made it to the poat-season. Who knows if there are any plans.

Too soon for a reunion and celebration as several of the players are still active on other teams (Cutch & Harrison quickly come to mind), but that list clearly is declining.

They'll find something to entertain the out-of-town guests.  Gotta be good hosts.

5A777A6B6C7D6A2A29180 wrote: It turned into a disaster a few seasons ago. 



Face it, we had some good seasons, but we had 20 disastrous years before that.  So, it's a lot less common when things are good.



They have folks sold on what they're doing.



I don't know what next year calls for.  I always look for improvement and hope that the folks in charge make the legitimate steps for it.
If they do, I think it's a pretty small group. I think in general, fans are very frustrated and want the team to become good but are skeptical. Most of us are lifelong fans of the team and have to deal with the reality of how things are. Nutting is not going to open the checkbook and bring in a bunch of productive veterans. Anyone who is sold on the idea of that ever happening is dreaming. The organization was going downhill under NH after 2015 and he was replaced. BC started with little in the minors during a season in which the minors didn't even play so the reality is that even a successful plan will take a few years. So all we can do is hope BC's plan works. That's very different from "being sold" on the idea that it is definitely going to work. 



At this point I'm becoming more and more skeptical. Obviously I want the rebuild to succeed because that's the course they are embarked on. But none of the players who moved up to the MLB roster this season have impressed. Most are lost at the plate. Castro seems to be a headcase. There is no consistency by the starting pitchers. The totality of the manager's decisions provides compelling evidence that he is grossly incompetent to run an MLB team. His 3B coach appears unfit for his job. It's hard to believe they even have a hitting coach. Few pitchers have progressed as hoped. And players in the field appear unsure of what they should be doing. And there is very little at AAA this year. And now we've been assured that Shelton will return next year. As if things weren't already bad enough.



But I think Pirate fans these days pay a lot of attention to the minor league players. We don't accept at face value that the team will be rebuilt into a strong team in a few years. If that's the spin the team is selling, then we want to see the evidence. We look at prospect rankings, their minor league performance and their injuries. We have every right to be critical and skeptical until things change at the MLB level, if they ever do. So I don't think they have fans sold on what they are doing. Rather, they have fans who understand what they are doing and are watching very carefully for signs of success or failure. So far, it's not looking good.
I am convinced after watching incompetence ad nauseum the Pittsburg area is content with losing baseball. The era of excellence has been replaced by complacency. If you don't understand how bad that is, look it up the dictionary. Why else would a community put up with the sorry management of this baseball team.

382022252532232439382E4B0 wrote: It turned into a disaster a few seasons ago. 



Face it, we had some good seasons, but we had 20 disastrous years before that.  So, it's a lot less common when things are good.



They have folks sold on what they're doing.



I don't know what next year calls for.  I always look for improvement and hope that the folks in charge make the legitimate steps for it.
If they do, I think it's a pretty small group. I think in general, fans are very frustrated and want the team to become good but are skeptical. Most of us are lifelong fans of the team and have to deal with the reality of how things are. Nutting is not going to open the checkbook and bring in a bunch of productive veterans. Anyone who is sold on the idea of that ever happening is dreaming. The organization was going downhill under NH after 2015 and he was replaced. BC started with little in the minors during a season in which the minors didn't even play so the reality is that even a successful plan will take a few years. So all we can do is hope BC's plan works. That's very different from "being sold" on the idea that it is definitely going to work. 



At this point I'm becoming more and more skeptical. Obviously I want the rebuild to succeed because that's the course they are embarked on. But none of the players who moved up to the MLB roster this season have impressed. Most are lost at the plate. Castro seems to be a headcase. There is no consistency by the starting pitchers. The totality of the manager's decisions provides compelling evidence that he is grossly incompetent to run an MLB team. His 3B coach appears unfit for his job. It's hard to believe they even have a hitting coach. Few pitchers have progressed as hoped. And players in the field appear unsure of what they should be doing. And there is very little at AAA this year. And now we've been assured that Shelton will return next year. As if things weren't already bad enough.



But I think Pirate fans these days pay a lot of attention to the minor league players. We don't accept at face value that the team will be rebuilt into a strong team in a few years. If that's the spin the team is selling, then we want to see the evidence. We look at prospect rankings, their minor league performance and their injuries. We have every right to be critical and skeptical until things change at the MLB level, if they ever do. So I don't think they have fans sold on what they are doing. Rather, they have fans who understand what they are doing and are watching very carefully for signs of success or failure. So far, it's not looking good.
I am convinced after watching incompetence ad nauseum the Pittsburg area is content with losing baseball.  The era of excellence has been replaced by complacency.  If you don't understand how bad that is, look it up the dictionary.    Why else would a community put up with the sorry management of this baseball team.




Can you advise us on the ways the community can address this issue? Can you provide a list of the ways all of us, working together, can change Bob Nutting into an owner who places winning as the chief priority?

I dont think that Cherington has demonstrated the ability to run baseball operations.  His resume doesn't demonsrtate it to me, either.  The Red Sox owner saw this, and his time with Toronto doesn't sway me.



He hasn't done well, overall, and hasn't done well with some key hires- Shelton's one.

His hitting coach is questionable at best. Pitching- who knows?  The only benefit of doubt I can give him is- we don't know whether he wanted other people who weren't interested in the jobs.



When it comes to BOB, i only care about what he does.  I want to see Nutting bring in a needed president of baseball operations.  Unfortunately, BOB hasn't shown to be much of a baseball focus.  I would expect him to compound matters by promoting Cherington instead.



Things will get better when BOB gets better.  Or, when someone else comes along who is better.

6A3C2A3E312B3B303D2A183F35393134763B580 wrote: It turned into a disaster a few seasons ago. 



Face it, we had some good seasons, but we had 20 disastrous years before that.  So, it's a lot less common when things are good.



They have folks sold on what they're doing.



I don't know what next year calls for.  I always look for improvement and hope that the folks in charge make the legitimate steps for it.
If they do, I think it's a pretty small group. I think in general, fans are very frustrated and want the team to become good but are skeptical. Most of us are lifelong fans of the team and have to deal with the reality of how things are. Nutting is not going to open the checkbook and bring in a bunch of productive veterans. Anyone who is sold on the idea of that ever happening is dreaming. The organization was going downhill under NH after 2015 and he was replaced. BC started with little in the minors during a season in which the minors didn't even play so the reality is that even a successful plan will take a few years. So all we can do is hope BC's plan works. That's very different from "being sold" on the idea that it is definitely going to work. 



At this point I'm becoming more and more skeptical. Obviously I want the rebuild to succeed because that's the course they are embarked on. But none of the players who moved up to the MLB roster this season have impressed. Most are lost at the plate. Castro seems to be a headcase. There is no consistency by the starting pitchers. The totality of the manager's decisions provides compelling evidence that he is grossly incompetent to run an MLB team. His 3B coach appears unfit for his job. It's hard to believe they even have a hitting coach. Few pitchers have progressed as hoped. And players in the field appear unsure of what they should be doing. And there is very little at AAA this year. And now we've been assured that Shelton will return next year. As if things weren't already bad enough.



But I think Pirate fans these days pay a lot of attention to the minor league players. We don't accept at face value that the team will be rebuilt into a strong team in a few years. If that's the spin the team is selling, then we want to see the evidence. We look at prospect rankings, their minor league performance and their injuries. We have every right to be critical and skeptical until things change at the MLB level, if they ever do. So I don't think they have fans sold on what they are doing. Rather, they have fans who understand what they are doing and are watching very carefully for signs of success or failure. So far, it's not looking good.
I am convinced after watching incompetence ad nauseum the Pittsburg area is content with losing baseball.  The era of excellence has been replaced by complacency.  If you don't understand how bad that is, look it up the dictionary.    Why else would a community put up with the sorry management of this baseball team.




Can you advise us on the ways the community can address this issue?  Can you provide a list of the ways all of us, working together, can change Bob Nutting into an owner who places winning as the chief priority?


The first thing you should do is not show up to games. Businesses would start to recognize loss of business. The chamber of commerce might recognize how much the community could prosper if the Pirates were competitive. The answer is always the same, follow the money. The Community needs to let Old Bob know he's not welcome in Pittsburg. The Sports media could also put pressure on old Bob. Just do something except puff pieces about what a great job Shelton and Cherington are doing and we'll get them next year. Quit accepting the clown show we now have to watch.

362E2C2B2B3C2D2A373620450 wrote: It turned into a disaster a few seasons ago. 



Face it, we had some good seasons, but we had 20 disastrous years before that.  So, it's a lot less common when things are good.



They have folks sold on what they're doing.



I don't know what next year calls for.  I always look for improvement and hope that the folks in charge make the legitimate steps for it.
If they do, I think it's a pretty small group. I think in general, fans are very frustrated and want the team to become good but are skeptical. Most of us are lifelong fans of the team and have to deal with the reality of how things are. Nutting is not going to open the checkbook and bring in a bunch of productive veterans. Anyone who is sold on the idea of that ever happening is dreaming. The organization was going downhill under NH after 2015 and he was replaced. BC started with little in the minors during a season in which the minors didn't even play so the reality is that even a successful plan will take a few years. So all we can do is hope BC's plan works. That's very different from "being sold" on the idea that it is definitely going to work. 



At this point I'm becoming more and more skeptical. Obviously I want the rebuild to succeed because that's the course they are embarked on. But none of the players who moved up to the MLB roster this season have impressed. Most are lost at the plate. Castro seems to be a headcase. There is no consistency by the starting pitchers. The totality of the manager's decisions provides compelling evidence that he is grossly incompetent to run an MLB team. His 3B coach appears unfit for his job. It's hard to believe they even have a hitting coach. Few pitchers have progressed as hoped. And players in the field appear unsure of what they should be doing. And there is very little at AAA this year. And now we've been assured that Shelton will return next year. As if things weren't already bad enough.



But I think Pirate fans these days pay a lot of attention to the minor league players. We don't accept at face value that the team will be rebuilt into a strong team in a few years. If that's the spin the team is selling, then we want to see the evidence. We look at prospect rankings, their minor league performance and their injuries. We have every right to be critical and skeptical until things change at the MLB level, if they ever do. So I don't think they have fans sold on what they are doing. Rather, they have fans who understand what they are doing and are watching very carefully for signs of success or failure. So far, it's not looking good.
I am convinced after watching incompetence ad nauseum the Pittsburg area is content with losing baseball.  The era of excellence has been replaced by complacency.  If you don't understand how bad that is, look it up the dictionary.    Why else would a community put up with the sorry management of this baseball team.




Can you advise us on the ways the community can address this issue?  Can you provide a list of the ways all of us, working together, can change Bob Nutting into an owner who places winning as the chief priority?


The first thing you should do is not show up to games.  Businesses would start to recognize loss of business.  The chamber of commerce might  recognize how much the community could prosper if the Pirates were competitive.   The answer is always the same, follow the money.  The Community needs to let Old Bob know he's not welcome in Pittsburg.  The Sports media could also put pressure on old Bob.  Just do something except puff pieces about what a great job Shelton and Cherington are doing and we'll get them next year.  Quit accepting the clown show we now have to watch.


Coordinating an effort to get the million-plus baseball fans in this region to stop going to games is an impossible task. There will always be more than a few thousand fans who'll buy season tickets or attend games. The planned walkout a few years back indicated that it's not a popular move.



The Chamber of Commerce doesn't hold much sway in these matters. They can't force an owner of a firm like the Pirates to simply do what they want him to do. It's his business, and his profits to be made or lost.



I don't recall reading puff pieces about Cherington. The plan he's undertaking is one that people in the media recognize as one that takes time. BC started with nothing and is only in his third year. Until his draft picks begin arriving and demonstrating their abilities, there's little sense in expecting a playoff contending team, especially with the constraints placed upon him payroll-wise. Pretty much every other rebuild done in every other organization has gone the same way. Why would it be different here? Of course he's made mistakes, as all GMs do. Those have been reported.



I believe the best recourse the community has is government pressure on Nutting. Against the wishes of many in this area, PNC Park was built because the Pirates claimed it was needed, especially the luxury box revenues, in order to compete. With the exception of a three year span, we haven't seen it. The Pirates haven't upheld their end of the deal. But, in the end, it's still his privately-owned business. I'm not sure what the local and state governments can legally do to force him to run a competitive baseball franchise. I don't even think embarrassing him could make him change his ways.

Cherington started with nothing isn't exactly the case.  I'm not sure that any team does, unless it's an expansion club.



What he started with was an incomplete roster, which has been the club's issue on and off for a long time.  That's not the same as nothing.

5D687F7F744D7F7F74737F1A0 wrote: Cherington started with nothing isn't exactly the case.  I'm not sure that any team does, unless it's an expansion club.



What he started with was an incomplete roster, which has been the club's issue on and off for a long time.  That's not the same as nothing.
When BC was hired after the 93-loss 2019 season, he wasn't expected to immediately turn over the MLB roster into a post season contender for an owner who refused to pay for the acquisition of productive veterans who might reasonably be expected to turn over the MLB roster into a post season contender.



Whether he succeeds or not, BC's mission was very clear: build up the team internally via drafting and trading for prospects. And he literally started with nothing! Covid eliminated all minor league play when BC started in 2020. There was no minor league play, no minor league development. Even the draft was reduced to 5 rounds. Even the MLB season was a mere 60 games with the distractions of health concerns, never knowing from one day to the next if the games would be played, in empty ballparks with crowd noise piped in. Essentially the entire 2020 season was a wash and a complete 1-year hiatus for the minors. And when they finally resumed a normal season in 2021, the talent BC was inheriting at Indy and Altoona was very thin.



So whether we like BC or not or think he's doing a good job or not, the fact is that he took over a 93-loss team trying to rebuild via the minor leagues in a year when there were no minor leagues. So "starting with nothing" sounds pretty accurate.