MLB Trade deadline/rumors thread

[SabresRule]

Over the past 16 years, yes they are, but before that they were a very good and proud franchise.

IMO Bonds is to the Pirates as Ruth was to the Red Sox.

Sounds like the Islanders; good many years ago, bad as hell today.

BTW, I'd like to get Sandra's take on who else she considers as bad a franchise as the Isles.

Personally, I think the Memphis Grizzlies are the worst of the worst- even more than the Isles.

[risnuff]

I have to disagree with that assessment Sabres of the Pirates being the worst franchise in all of sports due to the fact that the organization for the first time since '92 seems to really be heading upwards rather than driving itself into the ground. The wins haven't come yet and probably won't for the next few years. But for Pirates fans, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. I like what Coonelly and Huntington have done so far. Of course it's far too early to tell whether they'll be able to turn the franchise around, but Neal Huntington already seems to be a far more competent GM than Cam Bonifay and Dave Littlefield, not that that's difficult.

Rebuliding is a necessary step, but maybe this time, the Pirates will be built right.

[SabresRule]

the organization for the first time since '92 seems to really be heading upwards rather than driving itself into the ground.

As a baseball follower,

I fell for the idea that they would finally turn the corner in 1999, when they only finished five games below .500 with a 78-83 record.

I thought they would turn around in the new century.

Unfortunately... that hasn't happen.

I'm not ripping them apart like Sandra does to the Isles, but this is the classic case of 'one step forward, two steps backward.'

Bay's gone- now the only decent position players they have are Sanchez and Wilson.

[cybok0]

I have to disagree with that assessment Sabres of the Pirates being the worst franchise in all of sports due to the fact that the organization for the first time since '92 seems to really be heading upwards rather than driving itself into the ground. The wins haven't come yet and probably won't for the next few years. But for Pirates fans, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. I like what Coonelly and Huntington have done so far. Of course it's far too early to tell whether they'll be able to turn the franchise around, but Neal Huntington already seems to be a far more competent GM than Cam Bonifay and Dave Littlefield, not that that's difficult.

Rebuliding is a necessary step, but maybe this time, the Pirates will be built right.

Agreed.

[cybok0]

Bay's gone- now the only decent position players they have are Sanchez and Wilson.

Doumit.

[mccoyrj]

Over the past 16 years, yes they are, but before that they were a very good and proud franchise.

IMO Bonds is to the Pirates as Ruth was to the Red Sox.

My sentiments exactly. The last 16 years can't diminish the fact that the Buccos have world titles under their belts.

And on a brighter side of history, Clemente is to the Pirates as Ruth is to the Yankees.

[SabresRule]

And on a brighter side of history, Clemente is to the Pirates as Ruth is to the Yankees.

Going by that logic, Mantle is to the Yankees as Willie Stargell was to the Pirates.

Both guys were capable of upper-deck moon shots in their prime