Arrrrrrgh we still losing?
With the 2010 MLB Trade Deadline having just past, it’s apparent that the poor Pirates will not improve today. Sure they made a deal, but so what? Unfortunately it won’t help this year, as the Pirates are again in the throws of yet another 5 year rebuilding plan.
In fact, the beleaguered Buccos haven’t had a winning season in nearly two decades. That’s right! The Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 1992. That’s 17 consecutive losing seasons, with an 18th nearing completion. Sadly, this is a record for North American professional sports franchises.
No hockey, baseball, football or basketball team has consistently sucked this bad for this long in recent decades. That’s an unbelievable accomplishment considering there are teams out there like the Detroit Lions, L.A. Clippers, and Kansas City Royals. Only time will tell if the Cleveland Cavaliers follow a similar fate in the post Lebron years to the Pirate’s post Bonds decades. No fear though, the Pirates have an 18 year head start so it’s unlikely the Cavs can catch them.
That being said, who is to blame? Is it the fact the Pirates play in a football city? Is it that a small market simply can’t compete due to financial issues? Is it simply bad management? Yes! All of the above.
Today at 4 pm was the MLB trade deadline. Trades can be made after that of course, but players have to clear waivers. The end result is that anyone in the playoff hunt was desperate to improve today, and consequently eager to deal!
If the Pirates were to truly improve here is the deal that needed to happen. If only we had seen this headline…
PIRATES TRADE GENERAL MANAGER NEAL HUNTINGTON FOR A BROKEN HOT DOG MACHINE!
7.31.2010 Ass. Press 4:11 PM
Wow, they got something for him!
Sources close to insanity report that the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed in principal to a trade of General Manager Neal Huntington to the Milwaukee Brewers for a broken Hot Dog Machine and cash considerations.
Asked about the move, Pirates management pointed to the excellent future potential of the Hot Dog Machine. An imaginary representative stated, “Given our position we felt this was a good move to improve our organization from a culinary and financial perspective. Neal did a great job for us making sure we had a good young group of players while still ensuring that our record streak would continue unabated for at least several more years. The Hot Dog Machine will also give us greater salary cap flexibility moving forward.” Management also stated that the loss of Huntington from a strategy perspective would easily be offset if the Hot Dog Machine was fixed.
Don't eat the new GM's buns!
Initial reaction indicates the Pirates were a clear winner in this deal, but as with all deadline deals only time will tell.
The Hot Dog Machine is under warranty until 2011 when it can become an unrestricted free agent. Huntington will have to clear waivers. The Hot Dog Machine is being FedEx’d to AAA Indianapolis where it will report Monday for a rehab assignment.
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