They should at least make an effort.
I have never seen a team worse than the Tigers of 2003, when they lost 119 games. But it wasn’t too long before they went to the World Series.
How’d they do it? By making a splash.
They signed Ivan Rodriguez and traded for Carlos Guillen. Subtle, but very significant moves that saw them improve by 29 wins.
The next year, they traded for Placido Polanco and signed Magglio Ordonez, who was cheaper because he was coming off injuries.
Before 2006, they signed veteran pitcher Kenny Rogers and brought up minor leaguers Curtis Granderson and Justin Verlander.
All of these moves were relatively inexpensive and very low key, yet they propelled them to the AL Pennant.
It’s not rocket science to sign a few key players that are at least better than what you have now, take some risks on players who are coming off injuries and can be had for cheaper, and make smaller trades to acquire players that aren’t wanted by their current ballclubs.
Fantasy managers sell high and buy low all the time. Why can’t real general managers learn how to do the same?
The Pirates sold high on Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, and in the future, it could be a great move, but it also keeps them that much further from ending this streak of 16-straight losing seasons.
They’ll need to start buying low as well.
Well, they need to start buying...Period. Just ask Barry Bonds.
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