Dear Pittsburgh Pirates fans, we have ripped out the heart and soul of any potential for success, sincerely the Front Office

Bob on 06 4, 2009

First off, I’d like to send my condolences out to Pittsburgh Pirates fans. After making his 1st All-Star game and winning a Gold Glove last season, up and coming outfielder Nate McLouth was shipped to Atlanta in exchange for 3 prospects. It’s no wonder why the Pirates ball club continues to stink it up. What an awful move!

The speedy outfielder was sent to the Atlanta Braves, who were in need of a boost at the position. With this new addition to the team, Atlanta will be more competitive in the deeply talented NL East. The Pirates, however, got the short end of the straw.

The ‘Burgh received three (3) prospects in return for the All-Star outfielder; OF prospect Gorkys Hernandez (really? Gorkys?) and pitching prospects Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke. Now, the Pirates’ farm league is one of the worst, and this trade certainly gives it more substance, but trading a player like McLouth is absolutely ridiculous. Pittsburgh just signed him to a 3 year deal worth roughly $16 million not too long ago, he makes his first All-Star appearance, wins a Gold Glove, is starting to cement himself as an All-Star caliber player, and they trade him?! I just don’t get it!

Nate McLouth is like a Swiss Army knife; he can do it all. He steals bases, has some power (26 HR last season), and is a Gold Glover. This is the kind of guy you want to build your team around, not a guy you want to use as trade bait.

The Pirates’ last World Series title was in 1979, and with moves like this, I have a feeling it is going to be quite some time until the next one. At least Pittsburgh enthusiasts have the Steelers and Penguins to cheer for.

Good work by the Atlanta Braves’ front office. As for Pittsburgh’s…not so much.