This about says it all.
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9832314The Pittsburgh Pirates might be one of baseball's two or three franchises truly beyond resuscitation, and I can tell you why in three words: Dave Motherbleepin' Littlefield.
In his five tragic years as the team's executive zookeeper, Littlefield has committed the following offenses against common sense, among others: dealing away Aramis Ramirez for a bag of hair, dealing away Jason Schmidt for a bag of combs, prematurely giving up on Bronson "Brandon" Arroyo, and tying up the team's admittedly limited resources in negligible vets like Joe Randa, Jeromy Burnitz and Benito Santiago. Even when he has a good idea in theory -- ditching some spare parts at the trading deadline -- Littlefield finds a way to louse it up. In exchange for Craig Wilson and his perfectly operable bat, he received Shawn Chacon, who would have been cut by the Yankees within 48 hours. Too, he chose to include Oliver Perez -- who, despite his strike-zone allergies, remains a 25-year-old lefty who throws 96 mph -- as a throw-in in the deal that sent Roberto Hernandez to the Metsies
So naturally, the Pirates granted Littlefield a contract extension through 2008 last April. Hence this exercise is futile, as the team can't expect to escape the shackles of Littlefield's intellect-challenged stewardship anytime soon. Nonetheless, let's try to ... Save This Franchise!™©®
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