For years –– decades, even –– Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been told to be patient. Be smart. Trust the process. Hoard pitching. Wait for the “right time.”
Well, guess what? This is what the right time looks like.
Friday's three-team trade with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays is the most decisive, coherent, and purposeful use of Ben Cherington’s resources since he took over baseball operations in Pittsburgh — and it’s not particularly close.
This wasn’t a depth move. It wasn’t a lottery ticket. It wasn’t another “maybe in three years” prospect swap that asks fans to suspend disbelief.