The five MLB teams with the most grim futures

Five MLB Teams With The Grimmest Future

Pittsburgh Pirates

The categorically awful Pittsburgh Pirates are unmistakable owners of the worst second half in 2019. They originally had some hope- actually buying at the 2018 trade deadline- and plummeted in every conceivable way since.

The Pirates are far from the most barren farm system and the most depleted roster. They have three very promising prospects and a couple of young roster players that have displayed potential- Josh Bell and Bryan Reynolds mainly.

Despite this considerable ray of light that has broken through the bleak smog of the 2019 Pirates season, there is a line of thinking that this supposed bright spot is nothing but a manifestation born out of wishful thinking. Neal Huntington has gone from the champion of MLB’s have nots to a perpetrator of utter quizzical moves that defy any grain of logic.

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His main flaws have been the veritable misunderstanding of his roster and reprehensible- in baseball terms- undervaluing of his prized assets. His mistakes have continued to fester under a manager that has seemingly let the lockerroom erode into a toxic environment and further committing to him after the disaster of 2019.

For starters, Chris Archer– who has been abysmal since venturing to the Steel City- was merely requisitioned for a slugging outfielder with an outrageous amount of control and a young, dynamic starter with ace potential.

Tyler Glasnow has been limited to 56 innings in 2019 due to injury, however, during that span, he has done nothing but glimmered with unadulterated potential. Austin Meadows has had the benefits of a full season and with it has earned an All-Star appearance, 32 home runs, and an OPS above .900.

Gerrit Cole has evolved into the most dominant pitcher in the league- in terms of strikeouts- and is primed for a $30 million payday. Yet, the Pirates acquired a middle of the rotation starter, a utility infielder, and a middle reliever for two-years of Cole. Not receiving an above-average player in return for such lengthy control of a prized asset is borderline criminal.

I must disclaimer these observations, as well. This analysis is not a form of revisionist history, rather it is an acknowledgment that the transactions were egregious at the time and even more so now.

A sensitive issue that arose at the end of this season cannot be ignored in this analysis. First of all, since the allegations against Felipe Vazquez are about as cut and dry as can be, the Pirates must be proactive and release him. A ghastly accusation is one thing, yet the nearly unimpeachable evidence that allows him to be held without bail should be reason enough to warrant action.

Perhaps the league office is conducting an investigation. Whatever the case may be, he cannot be employed by the MLB at the start of next season, unless of course, the case takes a major turn. The fact that this situation has lingered- and the Pirates are in no way complicit- and a shakeup in the form of a managerial firing has not been undertaken, is frankly irresponsible.

Fair or not the Pirates must distance themselves from the insidious actions of a player and the toxic mark it leaves on the team. The logical way to do so is Clint Hurdle‘s departure.

In essence, the Pirates appear to be mired in the middle of mediocrity. In terms of a roster, payroll, and their unwillingness to act. They are in need of a full rebuild- both organization and roster- and seem to deny this blatant fact. Therefore, despite a roster with more potential in terms of the currency of young assets, the Pirates outlook is doomed because they have been plagued by incompetence.