I’m a Pirate fan regardless of the product on the field or regardless of who owns them. — Neil
This dude gets it. The only reason any of us are hanging around this pathetic team is because of our love for the organization – certainly not because of any love for the Nuttings. Now why any other fan would call this guy out because of his statement is beyond me. I refuse to see that kind of immaturity in my comments section and I’ll boot every fool who trashes another fans feelings without reason. I don’t mind seeing educated responses which run contrary to other people’s feelings, but I’m not interested in seeing childish bickering here. Do you hear me now?
That being said, Neil also asked another great question yesterday:
Jake, I don’t want to call you out or anything, but I’ve been reading your blog for years and I have never known you to hold back on a post because it was too “edgy.” I hope that this new place that bought the site isn’t censoring your posts because I really enjoy what you do and I know others do too.
First of all, nobody bought me out.. I just changed the name. As for my removing the post, as I said it wasn’t the post I intended to put up and it caught a few people off guard. It was not my intention to create drama for my readership or some of the parties listed in the post, but it did.
Since quite a few want to know what it was all about, here’s an abstract view. I called the post “edgy” because it mentioned some things only a few people knew about during the Huntington/LaCava GM interview process and when I wrote the article, I felt it was critical that the Pirate Nation had more facts at their disposal on why this management team are losers. Most of that article was written more than a year ago and then I started adding to it along the way. I discussed the contents of the post with a few people months ago and we all agreed it would be better that some things remained under the table.
Parts of the post I am willing to reveal today included a breakdown of Frank Coonelly’s career as seen from an anti-player, anti-union, and anti-umpire perspective. I felt his extensive work against labor made him a loser as CEO and I felt that his only motivation taking Nutting’s job was to try and get out from behind Rob Manfred’s coat tails so he’d have a better chance of becoming Commissioner.
I also stated that I felt Neal Huntington was a loser because it was clear to me his only motivation taking the job was for money. I listed several reasons why I felt his motivation was only money and I won’t go into those today other than to say Huntington was a member of LaCava’s camp, LaCava interviewed for the GM position first, and later Huntington agreed to interview and peer repercussions in the game for Huntington taking the position have not ended. That should tell you all you need to know.
Together these two losers represent a pro-ownership, anti-labor stance which, imo, isn’t exactly conducive for rebuilding an entire organization from the ground up. More evidence of my position can be seen in other events such as building one of the most rigid farm systems in the game which has caused distress amongst some field staff and players, labor fights from events like field staff calling out the GM as being dishonest, labor representation calling out Coonelly and ownership (Boras twice) or simply walking away from their demands like Sano and his agent did, and many, many other situations over the last two years.
That’s the basic version of that post.
Does this mean we’ll never see advancement? No, of course not.. even a blind squirrel finds nuts. Does it mean we’re in for a bumpy ride? Absolutely as we’ve already been witness to several times each year, year-after-year under their control. When will it end? After Nutting is run out of Pittsburgh.
It will be the result, not the goal.
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I had a great time during my Super Bowl break talking with some college coaches and a couple of scouts and Josh Spence’s name came up quite a few times. Some believe this kid is poised for a breakout season with AZ State which might catapult him into the first round. He’s not 1/2 stock but don’t be too surprised if you start hearing him as a possibility for our second round pick.
As for Harper and Taillon, some of the coaches were put off on his mechanics saying he’s a classic Dr. Andrews patient in the waiting and they seemed to like AJ Cole better. Everybody I spoke to loved Harper’s chances and three of them have seen him play extensively and think he’s likely to end up at third. Not one person said they would pass on Harper if he fell to the Pirates which really surprised me. The consensus “closest to the majors” pick for the Pirates was Anthony Ranaudo and the “best signability pick” was thought to be Christian Colon.
Great stuff.
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Has Neal Huntington done any Q&A’s for any publication/newspaper that isn’t owned or managed by the Nutting family. Here’s another one NH just did for the new guy at Pirate Report who I hear was run out of Chicago for being an idiot. Notice all the “absolutely” and “exactly” answers by Huntington meaning it was designed to boost ratings at PR and little else.
Did anyone notice this NH blurb:
I would like to see this thing through. This has been a labor of love. The reality is, we’re not through the toughest part yet. The building part is easy compared to the sustaining part of it. That’s where were headed now — how do we take that next step from building to executing to sustaining? That’s the challenge that I look forward to in the future. — my emphasis
Headed???? You mean, we’re not there yet??
C-ya Doumit. C-ya Maholm. C-ya Duke.
It’s a result, not a goal. Damn, I’m starting to like these Nutting PR slugs since they work two ways.
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Ready for some fantasy baseball? MLB.com’s system allows for a 12 team league with a live draft. It’s simple, simple, simple stuff which is perfect for most of us that don’t have enough time to devote to a hardcore league.
If you are interested in joining a Bucco Blog league, leave a comment below using your real e-mail and I’ll send you the login info to signup with.
If everyone prefers to do something else, or if you have any ideas for another game, let’s discuss it in the comments.
I’m interested in a Bucco Blog fantasy league! I am involved in two “hardcore” leagues, so this one may be refreshing!
im in…but i get cutch!
Always play fantasy baseball. Usually on ESPN and yahoo. Looking forward to a few auction drafts to be different. But please count me in!
Thanks Jake.
I am definitely up for a fantasy league and Im positive Tony H is as well.
Jake thanks for taking a stand to some of the people that have been posting lately. Theres been a few out there that have been taking away from the creditibility of the site with pointless mud slinging. I come to this site for the insight and the fact that the fans out there have a legit interest with the team and back up all their posts with interesting facts. So thanks to everyone out there who participates the right way and everyone keep up the great job.
2 weeks til pitchers and catchers report!!!! (I cant believe Spring Training is starting soon… Im stuck in about 34 inches of snow still)
Also Jake who do you think logically makes the most sense for the Pirates to draft with their first pick.?
> who do you think logically makes the most sense for the Pirates to draft with their first pick?
Most sense? To Huntington who needs a .500 club or he’ll lose a job here shortly, that would be a top projectable college arm. To our rebuilding? The best player on the board at the time.
If you were GM who would you pick? I think we all want a name lol
It’s too early to put a #1 up on the board George. As you’ve probably read in media reports, there simply isn’t one player who stands out yet. This draft has some decent players in the first tier but more interesting to me are several players in the second tier who have strong tools but haven’t put it all together yet, almost like they don’t want to be “at the head of the class” so they fall to bigger market teams with loads of $$.
If pressed to put names on the board right now, I think Harper has to be there with Taillon 1 – 2 and then the tier runs together. If you have read my blog over the years then you know I personally like AJ Cole and that hasn’t changed – I think he has the best arm in this draft and I’m a sucker for taking the best arms in the first two rounds as a smaller market team.
George H is right… Im definitely in
Does this mean we’ll never see advancement? No, of course not.. even a blind squirrel finds nuts. Jake that’s probably the best way to describe our current situation. I was lucky enough to be able to read your deleted post and I have to say that was probably your finest piece that I have ever read in the past two years of your blog. So if by the grace of god Harper falls to us at the two spot, do you think there is any chance we take him?
The Bucs are going to be under a lot of pressure to spend in the draft so I suspect Harper will be on the top of their board. Now, will he sign? If you read my first post then you probably already know the answer to that question. Thanks for the kudos.
sad but true.But they did this to themselves with the Sanchez and esp. the Moskos pick.
Jake- i hate to say it, i hope the Nats take Harper, cause if not, then the Bucs are in a no win situation, if they take Harper, they will have to pay out the rear, and if they don’t, a PR Nightmare much bigger than the ARAM giveaway and Moskos pick.
thoughts ?
I would also be interested in a Fantasy League as long as its cheap lol.
haha
Neil is a diehard Pirates fan, unfortunately he probably has apathy for Pirates since they havent had a winning record since 92 (Starting my Senior year in High School). God that’s been millions of years ago. Mlb network not long ago had the Rooker and John Saunders calling the phils come from behind win when jeltz went nuts on the buccos brought back great memories of some those great buccos teams. When Rooker walked home from philly in the offseason for charity.
sounds good – if I end up with more than 12, I’ll open more leagues. Keep the names flowing.
For you “Hardcore” Fantasy players out there, my 16 team keeper league is in need of two more owners. You would be taking over an existng team and you can keep 11 players plus 2 minor leagers. There is an entry fee but the world series winner make serious bank.
If there is anyone interested, please let me know and we’ll go from there.
Thanks
Justin Steadman
Count me in
I would definitely interested in fantasy baseball.
Jake do you ever here about reaction/whispers concerning Nutting’s view of whether he picked a good management team (Coonelly & Huntington)? Obviously in public he toes the ‘best’ management team line.
> Jake do you ever here about reaction/whispers concerning Nutting’s view of whether he picked a good management team
Nutting picked a management team which would deliver to him what he wanted – cash flow. I’d bet $1k to your $1 he’s tickled pink with what he has. The real question is whether Coonelly is satisfied because he has to be hearing the circuit whispers that this rebuild should be a lot further along and when Huntington got stung by Sano’s agent, I think ole’ Frank started to wake up a bit.
A.J Cole is the best on the board. I have seen some video of him.
Jake
One thing if Neal H is run off now like Carl Barger did with Sid Thrift would you be happy ?
Just remember Carl set this team up from 1988 on so he could better himself at Fl.
Syd was master at building teams , he built the Pirates for those late 80’s to 92 run wasnt given enough credit for the work he done here. Took a total crap house team got jimmy leyland pushed barry bonds from prince william up to hear got bobby bonilla was around for the van slyke , mike dunne and lavalliere deal plus did some other building block deals and drafts.
I would love to play! Should be fun. keep up the good work.
Bill
Jake – count me in for the fantasy league.
Thanks for speaking up about the recent commenters. As sick as I was getting reading about cancers, bashing a guy from Dallas, etc, I was more disgusted with the lame, personal attacts that were becoming frequent here.
Keep me in the loop for the fantasy league. All fantasy sports sites have been blocked at my place of employment, but I would be interested in a league that only requires once weekly roster adjustments and a limitation on free agent pick-ups that I can do from home. And if I draft a Pirate, then I will have been drinking heavily during the draft.
I guess Fair Weather Fan gets the blood boiling around these parts.
If there are enough spots to get in to this fantasy league, I am up for it.
hundreds of spots open, if needed!
jake
i would love to join one..
Do you see us signing another catcher for back up competition? I see Molina and Barajas are still available. What about Blaylock as back up option at first. Seem like there are some good guys still available. Sorry about my tone in the post that got deleted the other day. Long day on my end.
Bill
I agree with Bill. Another Pirates blogger (forget who) discussed how there is only 2 catchers on the 40 man roster…I’d really like to see some more depth. I think everyone is expecting Doumit will go on the DL at some point this season…
> Do you see us signing another catcher for back up competition?
backup competition? No. To replace Doumit when he’s dealt? Yes. I mentioned in a post this week I wouldn’t be shocked to see Doumit traded during ST.
> Sorry about my tone in the post that got deleted the other day
I missed it since one of the guys who helps around here deleted the post and not me.
Jake – do you see any value in the two new Cubians that were just declared FAs? Not that I would expect the Pirates to do anything, but it’s worth discussing.
Or what about Adeiny Hechevarria?? The SS. That’s a big position of need in the system I think. I’m hearing 8 figures – is he worth it?
I would love to see the Pirates make a run for Hechevarria. Missing out on Sano definently hurt, but now is the time that Huntington makes a play for this Cuban. We definently need a strong SS prospect in our system.
> Jake – do you see any value in the two new Cubans that were just declared FAs?
Value? Absolutely. Are the Pirates interested? Probably. Are the Cubans interested in the Pirates? Not a prayer.. read my post above for the reason why.
Neil, I feel you, man. I’m excited to take my kids to opening day (something I never had a chance to do as a kid). I want them to root for the Pirates, the same as my dad wanted me to root for the Pirates. I know that I’m feeding the Nutting machine by doing so, but how can you not? I have to believe that ultimately, the Pirates are bigger than the Nuttings, and one day we will escape this nightmare.
Jake, if you’re still filling spots, I’d take a crack at one.
Hechevarria was dabbed a very legit ss prospect by numerous scouts, small frame 6-0 160/165.
I’d be in for a fantasy league.
I would love to join a league with you guys