Bleacher Report · Jan 19, 2018
How a 98-Win MLB Team Has Plummeted to 100-Loss Candidate in 2 Years
The sinking ship metaphors are too easy and too cruel for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. Yet, it must be written: In the span of two short years, the Bucs have gone from a team that won 98 games to one that might lose 100.
It's a plunge that makes Davy Jones' locker look like the shallow end of the community pool.
On Jan. 13, the Pirates traded ace Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros. Two days later, they sent outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants. Presto change-o, a weakly whipping white flag replaced their black skull-and-crossbones banner.