Worst franchise?

[Pierzynski 12]

Discuss.

[Gibbz]

Re: Worst franchise?

The Rangers through history are the worst franchise in American professional sports.

[mjb2124]

Re: Worst franchise?

Tough one to call. If you go simply by number of losing seasons in a row, it's the Pirates. 15 and counting.

The Pirates are also years away from competing so that number will go up and will eclipse the record in all of sports. They desperately need the guys in AAA pan out (Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Steve Pearce etc...) and they need to draft well in the upcoming years. Money has always been an issue with this franchise and despite ownership stating they'll spend once the Pirates show they're competitive, I'll believe that when I see it.

I don't know enough about the Orioles minor league system to really comment on them. One thing that keeps coming back to me though is that the O's ownership seems willing to put money into the MLB team when needed and the Pirates haven't been in recent years. Whether that means anything is anyone's guess.

Anyhow, I'm going with the Pirates due to the 15 straight losing seasons. A franchise almost has to intentionally try to accomplish that.

[sbauer318]

Re: Worst franchise?

I don't know enough about the Orioles minor league system to really comment on them. One thing that keeps coming back to me though is that the O's ownership seems willing to put money into the MLB team when needed and the Pirates haven't been in recent years. Whether that means anything is anyone's guess.

You're right. Money has been spent. Over the past few seasons, the Orioles had a decent payroll (close to 100m). The problem is, however, that the Orioles spend money on second/third tier free agents and throw in a few young players.

[SPTO]

Re: Worst franchise?

Pirates

The O's are at least starting all over again and have a foundation to work upon. Other then Jason Bay and maybe a pitcher or two the Pirates have nothing.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Worst franchise?

The Orioles have completely transformed this offseason, and that's why I didn't vote for them here. Through both the Bedard and Tejada trades, they acquired a bunch of young pieces that will hopefully help us in the future. Getting 10 for 2 was huge, IMO. Now we have a very nice, young core.

As far as young hitters and legit hitting prospects, we have:

Nick Markakis
Adam Jones
Matt Wieters
Bill Rowell
Nolan Reimold

And here's where we really kill most teams...pitching prospects. I believe BA ranked our pitching prospects as a whole #3 in the majors. All of the following are guys that are projected to be future impact starters:

Matt Albers
Adam Loewen
Troy Patton
Jake Arrieta
Chris Tillman
Chorye Spoone
Brandon Erbe
Garrett Olson
Radhames Liz
Tony Butler
Pedro Beato
Hayden Penn
David Hernandez
Zach Britton
Jason Berken

That's a huge pool to pick from, and you'd think at least 5 of them will pan out. Tillman, Spoone, Loewen, Arrieta, Liz, and Erbe all have top of the rotation potential with the others filling in the 3-4-5 spots. Add in some relief prospects like Kameron Mickolio, Bob McCrory, and James Hoey, and there's a bright future here. If we can just get a hold of some more hitting prospects, we'll be back at the top of the AL East.

[Karlos05]

Re: Worst franchise?

The Pirates win at sucking. Awesome.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Worst franchise?

The Marlins are pissed they aren't in this thread.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Worst franchise?

I forgot to give props to the Pirates farm system, they do have some good guys like Neil Walker, Steven Pearce, and Andrew McCutchen, but noone else really comes to mind as an above average or elite prospect. Drafting Daniel Moskos at #4 last year over guys like Wieters, LaPorta, and Porcello was questionable though. They also don't really have a guy like Markakis who is very young but has already established themselves as a star. Bay is a great player, but he's getting up there in age, especially compared to Nick.

[mjb2124]

Re: Worst franchise?

Drafting Daniel Moskos at #4 last year over guys like Wieters, LaPorta, and Porcello was questionable though.

Don't remind us.

The worst part is that the former GM thought Moskos was a better pick than the guys you mentioned. At that time and at the present time, they claim money was not an issue. Heck, they traded for Matt Morris and took on 100% of his bloated contract later in the year so it doesn't appear money was a problem. They actually thought Moskos was a better pick.

[Nivek]

Re: Worst franchise?

The Marlins are pissed they aren't in this thread.

LOL, the marlins will win another championship in three years.

[ehh]

Re: Worst franchise?

The Pirates are brutal. Great stadium, that city always seems to support teams that are winning or at least put forth the effort and they have some tradition.

They have the key ingredients in place to be a great franchise.

[Pierzynski 12]

Re: Worst franchise?

I feel bad for the Pirates and their fans.

They had some great teams back then.

Now, they're just a bad franchise in all.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Worst franchise?

LOL, the marlins will win another championship in three years.

And then proceed to suck and have a payroll in the 10's of millions.

That franchise is a joke. Hopefully they either move the team or get the team an actual ballpark and city.

[fistofrage]

Re: Worst franchise?

And then proceed to suck and have a payroll in the 10's of millions.

That franchise is a joke. Hopefully they either move the team or get the team an actual ballpark and city.

Hopefully Leyland resigns and takes the Marlins job again. He seems to like Marlins. They are all on the Detroit roster being overpaid and unproductive.