What's It Gonna Be, Bob?

Does anybody else remember when Bob Smizik retired? Did I dream that it happened? If so, why is he still allowed to write a blog on the Post-Gazette's website? Bloggin' Bob is up to his tricks again, flip-flopping his way through another journalistic masterpiece. Smizik was one of the first "writers" to comment on the Nate McLouth trade, announcing that your Pittsburgh Pirates have officially given up on the present, criticizing the move and in turn accusing the Buccos brass of alienating the remaining 37 fans that still care. Thirteen hours later...Bloggin' Bob had an epiphany, deeming the McLouth move a "bold gamble worth taking." Who pays this clown to write? Why would anyone in their right mind read anything that this guy publishes?

Continuing my thoughts on the trade of "Nate the Brave"...to all the fools who think that this is a terrible move (including the retard who called Stan and Guy's "love the" radio show and announced to the free world that this was the darkest day in Pirates' history) please take the time to understand what GM Neal Huntington's actions have just landed your ball club. He traded a guy...

• who has started just over one full season in the majors. Until last year, Nate was just a bench player, and went into last season competing with Nyjer Morgan for the starting CF job. While he had a great year last year, it could be an abberation. He is a career .261 hitter...
• that made an All-Star appearance because the Pirates have to send one player to the Midsummer Classic every year, and no one else on that team was even remotely deserving to be there last year...
• who benefitted greatly from batting in a lineup last year that featured Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. After they were sent packing in July, McLouth's numbers took a hit...
  

In return for the good-but-not-great McLouth, the Bucs received two of the top eight ranked prospects in the Braves' system (and if you know baseball, you know the Braves consistenly have one of the best systems in professional ball) and another guy with big-league experience who could step in today and help the team. Like Bay, McLouth is a solid Major League outfielder. He's not a guy you can build your team around, he's more of a complimentary piece of the puzzle, he's not gonna lead your team to the promised land by himself. Because he played in a market that is devoid of superstars, he was awarded the mantle of "face of the franchise" by default. Huntington did the right thing by trading him while his value was at his highest. Don't get me wrong, I like Nate McLouth, and I wish him well. But this trade shows that the Pirates' brass is finally committed to building for the future the right way (are you listening, Dave Littlefield?) And I know it's only one day post-trade, but things are looking up already...

Andrew McCutchen: 2-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB

Charlie Morton: 7 IP, 4 H, O ER, 7 K, 1 BB

Even the eternal Pirates' pessimist like myself is getting excited...

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE