Mark Madden's Hot Take: Forget the excuses, the Pirates aren't close to being good
No matter how bad the Pirates are, the true believers and media stooges never run out of excuses.
Here’s the latest:
On Friday night, the Pirates extended their losing streak to seven with a 6-5 defeat at Washington. It was their fourth straight loss by one run.
It was quickly noted that the Pirates have 32 one-run losses, second-most in MLB.
All it would take to turn some of those around is a couple of bats, blah, blah, blah. “This team is closer than you think!”
But the Pirates are also eighth in MLB in one-run wins with 24.
All it would take to turn some of those around is depleting your pitching to acquire a couple of bats.
A one-run loss is a loss like any other loss.
The Pirates aren’t remotely close to being good.
They have one brilliant arm in Paul Skenes, a couple of other pitchers who are decent and zero hitting.
The offensive prowess of 19-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin is frequently cited. But he’s in Double-A, he’s one guy, and his progress needs to be organic, not rushed.
The Pirates won 76 games in 2023.
They won 76 games in 2024. Same amount. After adding Skenes.
They would have to win 12 of their last 14 to tie last season’s win total.
They’re not progressing. They’re declining. Despite having Skenes, who is having a better first two years than any MLB pitcher ever.
They stink, and will stink indefinitely.
The problem isn’t GM Ben Cherington, who will likely return next season. Though he’s incompetent.
There’s only one problem: Ownership that won’t pay what it takes to employ the quality necessary to win. That’s in management, in development, in the dugout and on the field.
That problem isn’t going away.
No matter what excuses the marks and stooges conjure.
Here’s my contribution:
The Pirates have had losing streaks of eight, seven (twice), five and four (three times). That’s 39 losses. Throw those out and the Pirates are 64-45.
If the Pirates were in the playoffs, they could win the World Series.
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