If Ben Cherington thinks his "process" is the smart way to do things -- and his motivation is to not make a player acquisition mistake that will blow up in his face -- well, it's happened to him already in regard to many of the "cheaper" players that he chose to acquire. His attempt to avoid mistakes (in his mind) has instead caused him to make a large number of them. The scary part is that Cherington can't or refuses to acknowledge those mistakes. He has a 5-year body of work that he can reflect on if he chooses to, but he has chosen not to. His refusal to engage in regular self-assessments so he can gain valuable information has been an ongoing detriment to this Pirates team. In addition, if Cherington still thinks he has the ability to turn a player who might be undervalued into "something"-- well, that line of thinking is even more astounding. How many Pirate players have underperformed or struggled during Cherington's tenure? The number of strikeouts alone has been alarming-- a bright red flag waving for Cherington's attention. When I think of Cherington, two Albert Einstein quotes come to mind: _"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."_ and _"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."_ I just don't see how Cherington's lack of self-awareness (and other forms of awareness) can make this team environment a very healthy one. The status quo according to Bob Nutting is unacceptable.
If we are to believe DK, who says he was told the Pirates payroll will come in at least around $100 million this season, that mans that Cherington has $25 million that he's unwilling to spend even though his job is clearly on the line. Does that make any sense to you? That a GM is willfully deciding not to spend money. It doesn't to me. I'm assuming he doesn't have $100 million to spend and anyone he signs of note would have to be offset by salary savings.
Morgan Freeman's character "Red" also got a job at the grocery store like Brooks did as a bagger and decided he couldn't handle it. I've watched the movie dozens of times.
You heard it here firsr, DK. The moment the Angels sign Santander, Miniasen will dangle Jo Adell, and Cheringyon will be on the phone making that deal.
The building of a new stadium, the implementation of Plan B with the support of local and state governments, is what's keeping the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The organization and politicians played ball with MLB, keeping their part of the bargain.
If we were getting the same player that Verdugo was over his first two full seasons, then that would be alright. Not great, mind you, but sure, you could work with a .280 hitter who sprays lots of doubles gap to gap even if he doesn't have prototypical power for a right fielder. If we were getting the Verdugo who has been progressively worse over the past three years until bottoming out for the Yankees in 2024, then no. We don't want that guy. And honestly, we might not want him, anyway. Can't they do better than Alex Verdugo, a slightly better than average (at best) starting outfielder?
If Ben Cherington thinks his "process" is the smart way to do things -- and his motivation is to not make a player acquisition mistake that will blow up in his face -- well, it's happened to him already in regard to many of the "cheaper" players that he chose to acquire. His attempt to avoid mistakes (in his mind) has instead caused him to make a large number of them. The scary part is that Cherington can't or refuses to acknowledge those mistakes. He has a 5-year body of work that he can reflect on if he chooses to, but he has chosen not to. His refusal to engage in regular self-assessments so he can gain valuable information has been an ongoing detriment to this Pirates team.
In addition, if Cherington still thinks he has the ability to turn a player who might be undervalued into "something"-- well, that line of thinking is even more astounding. How many Pirate players have underperformed or struggled during Cherington's tenure? The number of strikeouts alone has been alarming-- a bright red flag waving for Cherington's attention.
When I think of Cherington, two Albert Einstein quotes come to mind:
_"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."_
and
_"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."_
I just don't see how Cherington's lack of self-awareness (and other forms of awareness) can make this team environment a very healthy one. The status quo according to Bob Nutting is unacceptable.
Thanks!
How can Cherington be so obtuse?
This should be the most liked comment of the entire offseason
Ha
Maybe he is just trying to be acute?
Nutting is so the warden taking bribes and crapping all over his employees.
If we are to believe DK, who says he was told the Pirates payroll will come in at least around $100 million this season, that mans that Cherington has $25 million that he's unwilling to spend even though his job is clearly on the line. Does that make any sense to you? That a GM is willfully deciding not to spend money. It doesn't to me. I'm assuming he doesn't have $100 million to spend and anyone he signs of note would have to be offset by salary savings.
Thank you DK. I agree and I couldn't have said it better. Great show DK
Do you think Cherrington gets excited when he walks by the $1 bin at Walmart?
Cherington = Mr. K Mart blue light special.
Walmart has a dollar bin?
They used to. I guess I should have said the Clearance aisle.
.233 batting average? DK, he'd be a star in Pittsburgh considering the other "hitters" on the team
The character you were referring to was played by James Whitmore. He played Brooks Hatlen who was in charge of the inmates’ library.
Morgan Freeman's character "Red" also got a job at the grocery store like Brooks did as a bagger and decided he couldn't handle it. I've watched the movie dozens of times.
Alex Verdugo went to the same high school as Sammy Khalifa. Binding the generations together.
Cherington and Nutting should be booed off the field every time they make an appearance. And the chant sell the team should ring out every game.
I'm listening 🎧 DK 😊
You heard it here firsr, DK. The moment the Angels sign Santander, Miniasen will dangle Jo Adell, and Cheringyon will be on the phone making that deal.
Definitely can see it! Haha 😄
Might as well just stick with Suwinski.
Thank you for referencing the patriots cheating. Something that too often gets forgotten & overlooked
Not Morgan Freeman's character.
Good one😂
Great fricken movie
even if you don't fix Suwinski he would do better than Verdugo
I won't root against the team and players, but I'm over this management group. Another Harvard know it all.
i feel like we shouldnt care all that much about what Robert Murray has to say
It’s called being institutionalized
Kraft is also cheap like Nutting
I think Nutting is selling the team
God, I wish
He will once he sucks all possible depreciation from the franchise for his tax advantages.
What makes you say that?
I'd sooner stick with Suwinski over Verdugo.
The building of a new stadium, the implementation of Plan B with the support of local and state governments, is what's keeping the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The organization and politicians played ball with MLB, keeping their part of the bargain.
Sell the team.
Not the place to
Comment this. Maybe write a letter to nutting
If we were getting the same player that Verdugo was over his first two full seasons, then that would be alright. Not great, mind you, but sure, you could work with a .280 hitter who sprays lots of doubles gap to gap even if he doesn't have prototypical power for a right fielder. If we were getting the Verdugo who has been progressively worse over the past three years until bottoming out for the Yankees in 2024, then no. We don't want that guy.
And honestly, we might not want him, anyway. Can't they do better than Alex Verdugo, a slightly better than average (at best) starting outfielder?
Ah yea, the guy allergic to his batting gloves.