Here's an excerpt from Crasnick:
While most mainstream media outlets categorized Pittsburgh as a deadline loser, some bloggers rode to Huntington's defense. The blog "Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke?'' polled its readers, and 76 percent of the 540 respondents gave Huntington a grade of "A'' or "B'' on his trades.
Pirates diehards who've seen the team drift aimlessly from one half-baked plan to another can at least appreciate the new regime's devotion to a long-term goal. Huntington and club president Frank Coonelly tirelessly preach the gospel of scouting, player development and an increased presence in Latin America, and they're not going to slap on Band-Aids for a day or two of good publicity.
And does this sound familiar? Just substitute "Moss" and "LaRoche" with any number of Dayton Moore's acquisitions...
That's not going to happen, of course. But if Moss turns into a reliable corner outfielder, LaRoche becomes an average third baseman and one of Pittsburgh's new pitchers sticks with the big club, the Pirates will be content with their haul.
The folks over at Bucs Dugout seem pleased, saying the article "accurately describes fan attitudes in Pittsburgh." We're well acquainted with those attitudes over here.
Keep up the good work, Neal. We'll have our eyes on you, and not just to measure our progress by.
POSTSCRIPT: Opening Ceremonies on a scale of 1 to 10... go! Personally, with all the expectations -- and the fact that I watched it in a public setting surrounded by thousands, fighting off mosquitoes and trying to survive the heat -- I'd have to give it a 9. Not perfect, but still... not too shabby. Not at all.
I really don't see how anyone won bigger than the Pirates in that deal. They gave up Jason Bay, who is really good, but that's all they gave up. They got back Moss, La Roche, Hansen, and someone else whose name is escaping me right now, but those three alone are more than enough to make up for the loss of Bay.
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