OnlyBucs

Going back to the 2000 season, I looked at team batting averages. Now, I know that's old school number, so before the stat heads start on about crap like WOBA and such, batting average for a team is quite a relevant stat for an entire season.

It wasn't until I believe 2010 or 2011, that any MLB team had a team batting average under .240 for the season. Then, for the next few years, there were a handful from season to season, and a couple of them where every team once again hit above .240 as a team.

Then 2020 happened.

Right now, there are EIGHTEEN teams with batting averages under .240 Now, what does that have to do with the Pirates specifically? It's what all small market teams are feeling. They get the high draft picks. They get all the golden hoardes of prospects in deadline trades. So with as horrific as MLB is becoming, it isn't much to ask to pay a couple of mid tier FA hitters (or pitchers if that's what a team needs) and you are instantaneously relevant. Because that's all you need to make the playoffs. But these teams aren't doing it. Sure, some of them are locking up long term deals like Bobby Witt and Cal Raleigh, but that's the exception and not the rule. And, it's just a onsesy twosey kind of thing.

Look at the freaking Orioles. Now, they tanked. They appeared to have drafted well. They appear to have some bats. Yet, they know they need some pitching. Why haven't they gone harder after that? They made the trade for Burnes last season, but where's he at now? Who was their big acquisition? 41 year old Charlie Morton.

The Pirates have a fairly competent pitching staff. Overrated I think, especially if Skenes can't start going 7 or 8 innings consistently. As good as a he is, he's still just giving us 6. I also feel, if there was any form of offense and the starters knew they could give up 3 or 4 runs and still win, they'd actually pitch even better, and deeper.

However, one or two fairly competent bats in this lineup, whether "internal improvement" or a couple of real MLB free agents, and this team is probably sitting at 10-6 right now. With just two guys, and I mean that. Just two. That's all it would have taken.

Doesn't put us in Dodger or Yankee territory. But it puts them at the front of the line for NL Central or top WC position. But the same could be said for half of MLB right now.

The Reds didn't field a MLB team today either. They had 4 guys hitting under .200 in the lineup. WTF is that? I'm sure their fans are giddy right now sweeping the Pirates, but let's face it, this series was the MLB equivalent of Bum Fights.

And let's talk about base running, poor defense, and poor baseball acumen. Are you guys watching other games? This crap is epidemic in baseball.

It's clear now, looking back at the statistics, that the owners have used 2020 and are still using it as a way to squeeze out every last cent of profit. Take a hike over and follow a few other teams for a good spell. Ready their fan responses. Follow what's going on with their organizations. Bob Nutting might just be the poster boy for MLB ownership right now, because the same stuff is being said at many other cities.

Problem for us is, we've had to deal with it longer than the rest of them. And we've had to deal with the cheapest of cheap, and probably the only other team save the Athletics who's owner hasn't at least thrown us a bone and tried to get us a WC team one season before dumping salary. If there was ever a team that needed to just open up for two mid tier guys to take us from bottom feeder to mediocre with a WC berth and a quick two and out, but at least a post season appearance, it's us.

The following says it all:
The final 23 Pirate batters were all retired
The last time the Pirates had a man on base was the 2nd inning
If anyone is looking for a silver lining, there isn't one

Silver lining: game’s over.
I’m generally disgusted with pro sports but this year’s version of pirates has me on verge of giving up MLB. I can’t root for another team and these saps just stink. They cannot hit at all. Having grown up watching Clemente, Stargell, Oliver, Sanguillen, then Zisk, Parker, Madlock etc I can’t bear this.

icantwatch2 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:25 am Silver lining: game’s over.
I’m generally disgusted with pro sports but this year’s version of pirates has me on verge of giving up MLB. I can’t root for another team and these saps just stink. They cannot hit at all. Having grown up watching Clemente, Stargell, Oliver, Sanguillen, then Zisk, Parker, Madlock etc I can’t bear this.

I'm convinced it will never get better and in 5 years there will be no Pittsburgh Pirates.

They've just continued the Huntington philosophy that you can always acquire bats but can't get good pitchers, so they've focused on any pitcher with the slightest chance of being good. That's okay, but they've overdone it. You need some balance. You have to draft some position players/bats. The Brewers went with bats and, even when losing, were exciting to watch. Attendance was better and they could afford some better players. The concept of focusing on pitching (but not, curiously, thinking to improve the defense, which is part of "pitching" overall) hasn't worked. The games are like watching paint dry - or worse, like watching someone smash into your new car while you are on the porch in full view of the mess). Hopefully, the next GM decides to take an offense first approach. At least it would give us something different to complain about.