The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Nate McLouth to the Braves for three prospects.  When you trade the best player on your team for prospects at the beginning of June, it’s a clear indication that you’ve given up on the season.  According to this ESPN report, Bucs manager John Russell says “the trade should not be taken as a sign the Pirates aren’t serious about winning”

I understand that managers have to be both the public face of the corporate end of their franchise as well as the leaders of the sports end of their franchise, and it’s not an easy job, but Russell’s in a completely untenable position.  What he ought to due is lash out in a tirade against the economic system that keeps the margins for small market teams razor thin.  Instead he just throws this out there:

“The players lost a friend, a teammate and a good player.  They might be thinking that we’ve thrown in the towel, but it’s time to turn the page and play baseball. It’s time to move on.”

But that’s exactly what the Pirates did!  They threw in the towel!  Not that I blame them, because by this point in the year, you know whether or not you have enough to compete, and if you don’t and you’re a small market team, the next option is to start selling off pieces to stockpile talent for next year.  Last year it was Jason Bay.  This year it’s Nate McLouth.  It’s the state of baseball.

For once, though, I wish someone would just come out and say it.