Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)
An accurate assessment of the Bonifay years indeed. We could take this one further:
Remember Larry Doughty? The guy was GM from mid-88 until 1991. I remember how many gaffes he made during that time. The one in particular was in August of 1990. He was "confused" about the waiver rule and ended up being pigeon-holed into dealing three outfield prospects (Wes Chamberlain being one; not that he ever panned out) to the Cubs for Carmelo Martinez. Remember, we also gave up Moises Alou in the Zane Smith deal that same month. Of course, when you're trying to win a title, you make those types of deals. But, knowing the growing economic imbalance of the game was coming AND knowing we weren't going to be able to re-sign Bonilla, Bonds, etc.it would've been nice to have Moises Alou in LF from 93 on. Doughty also gave Mike LaValliere a hefty contract extension, who Ted Simmons (or was it Bonifay) basically outright released a year or so later.
That's another thing the Bucs have done for years: given these guaranteed multi-year deals to mid-line players that underproduce and hamstring the organization. That's why Kevin Young is still with us. Where Dave Littlefield has shown his best logic is not falling into that same trap. Lofton, Sanders, Stairs, Suppan, DiMico, etc. all signed one-year deals as stop-gaps. He also forced the injury settlement issue with Pat Meares. He has allowed an club option for Pokey Reese for 2004 (which there is no way they'll exercise).
I do believe the future is brighter with Littlefield in charge. It's gonna take time, but I like his vision for the franchise.
An accurate assessment of the Bonifay years indeed. We could take this one further:
Remember Larry Doughty? The guy was GM from mid-88 until 1991. I remember how many gaffes he made during that time. The one in particular was in August of 1990. He was "confused" about the waiver rule and ended up being pigeon-holed into dealing three outfield prospects (Wes Chamberlain being one; not that he ever panned out) to the Cubs for Carmelo Martinez. Remember, we also gave up Moises Alou in the Zane Smith deal that same month. Of course, when you're trying to win a title, you make those types of deals. But, knowing the growing economic imbalance of the game was coming AND knowing we weren't going to be able to re-sign Bonilla, Bonds, etc.it would've been nice to have Moises Alou in LF from 93 on. Doughty also gave Mike LaValliere a hefty contract extension, who Ted Simmons (or was it Bonifay) basically outright released a year or so later.
That's another thing the Bucs have done for years: given these guaranteed multi-year deals to mid-line players that underproduce and hamstring the organization. That's why Kevin Young is still with us. Where Dave Littlefield has shown his best logic is not falling into that same trap. Lofton, Sanders, Stairs, Suppan, DiMico, etc. all signed one-year deals as stop-gaps. He also forced the injury settlement issue with Pat Meares. He has allowed an club option for Pokey Reese for 2004 (which there is no way they'll exercise).
I do believe the future is brighter with Littlefield in charge. It's gonna take time, but I like his vision for the franchise.
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