This a joke, right? So if anybody has read the latest story from the Post-Gazette about Nutting's message to the team during a closed-door meeting Monday, ya'll have to be as embarrassed as I am at this stupidity. Based on the article, Nutting told everybody that losing was no longer acceptable, the team had to get drastically better and finishing near or below .500 wouldn't be tolerated.

After laughing at loud for a good minute or two, I regained my composure and just shook my head. Exactly how the heck does Nutting expect a change when you have the same freakin' product on the field? How does he expect a better result on the field when bringing in has-beens like Scott Olsen, Joe Beimel, Garrett Atkins and Kevin Correira is his definition of upgrading the talent? How are the Pirates supposed to legitimately compete for ANYTHING when the No. 1 starter is freakin' Paul Maholm (nothing against Maholm, but he's a 3rd or 4th starter at best in a real rotation)?

Nutting was either drowning in sarcasm with these remarks, or he's a plain idiot. I think it's the latter.

Good luck with all that, Bob.