Dave Littlefield
Encyclopedia
David Littlefield is a former Major League Baseball
executive. Littlefield was employed as Senior Vice President and General Manager
of the Pittsburgh Pirates
, a position he held from July 13, 2001 to September 7, 2007. He took over as GM for Roy Smith
, who had assumed the position on a temporary basis after the firing of GM Cam Bonifay
on June 11. He is currently working as a scout for the Chicago Cubs.
, even though they had unused spots on their 40-man roster and could have protected several of the players if they had chosen to do so. Chris Shelton, who had recently been honored as the team's minor league player of the year, went with the first pick, and he was followed in short order by Rich Thompson
, Frank Brooks
, Jeff Bennett
, and José Bautista. Baseball executives present at the draft laughed openly at Littlefield's embarrassment, and the laughter intensified after the Pirates declined to make a pick of their own. The Cincinnati Reds
, picking seventh, had all five Pirate players listed on their draft board and were frustrated to see them all go too soon, and an anonymous executive from another American League
team said that his team had also planned to take a Pirate prospect, refraining only because in his words, "There wasn't anything left."
, Ed Wade
, in which the Pirates would swap pitcher Kip Wells
for the Phillies' Ryan Howard
. There were also unconfirmed reports that Littlefield turned down trading Howard for pitcher Kris Benson
a year earlier.
Littlefield was criticized for trading players such as Jason Schmidt
, Jason Kendall
, Sean Casey, Aramis Ramírez
, Chris Young, Gary Matthews Jr., and Kenny Lofton
for little or nothing in return. While small market teams thrive on trading established veterans for packages of talented minor leaguers, Littlefield repeatedly asked for lower-ceiling "Major League ready" prospects in return. As a result, when he left, the Pirates had a plethora of mid-to-late 20s, borderline Major Leaguers, and very few young, impact prospects within the system. This strategy runs contrary to that of successful low-payroll teams like the A's, Twins, and Marlins.
In 2003, Littlefield approached the San Diego Padres
with a trade proposal in which the Pirates would receive Xavier Nady
, Oliver Perez
, and minor league pitcher Cory Stewart in exchange for star outfielder Brian Giles
. The Padres refused to surrender Nady, so Littlefield and the Pirates agreed to accept Jason Bay
instead. Bay immediately emerged as a star, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2004, while Nady spent the next three seasons as a part-time player with the Padres and the New York Mets
. Two years later, Littlefield was successful in trading for Nady in a deal for inconsistent pitcher Oliver Perez
, who has continued to be inconsistent with New York, as well as veteran reliever, and soon to be free agent, Roberto Hernández and the compensatory draft pick the Mets received when Hernández left as a free agent that offseason.
Among his most widely lampooned transactions to date was the trade of pitcher Chris Young, in whom the Pirates had invested $1.5 million, to Montreal for Matt Herges
in December 2002. Herges was promptly released in spring training, while Young was hailed as one best young pitchers in baseball four years later after having been traded from the Montreal Expos
to the Texas Rangers
and, finally, to the San Diego Padres
, where he had an outstanding season in 2007 but has struggled since. Similarly, the 21-year-old Leo Núñez
was traded to Kansas City in December 2004; in return, the Pirates received 39-year-old Benito Santiago
in order fill an immediate hole at the catcher position. Núñez has had some successful stretches for the Royals; Santiago had 6 hits with the Pirates before being released one month into the 2005 season. Some argue that trading away future impact players has severely hindered the Pirates in recent years.
On July 31, 2007, Littlefield traded outfielder Rajai Davis
to the San Francisco Giants
for pitcher Matt Morris. The move was widely criticized, as Morris, who was 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA at the time of the trade, was slated to make $9.5 million in 2008. Many were surprised that the Pirates would take on such a large contract (especially without having the Giants pick up part of it), as their 2007 Opening Day
payroll was just $38.5 million.
At the time of the trade, the Pirates were 42-62, 14.5 games out of first place.
Though he was frequently criticized for some trades that worked out poorly in the long run, Littlefield also managed to acquire the bulk of the Pirates' lineup through trades during his tenure. Jason Bay
, Freddy Sanchez
, Adam LaRoche
, José Bautista, and Xavier Nady
were all acquired through trades. In his final season as GM, only one of the seven players with over 400 at-bats on the team, Ronny Paulino
, was not acquired through a trade. At the same time, this group finished in last place in their division—so even his more successful trades weren't enough to field a contender.
, and instead drafted relief pitcher Daniel Moskos
, and in 2002 when the Pirates passed over B.J. Upton, widely regarded as the top prospect at the time, with the first overall pick—also passing over other highly touted prospects, including Prince Fielder
, Zack Greinke
, Khalil Greene
, Scott Kazmir
, Nick Swisher
, Matt Cain
, Cole Hamels
and Jeff Francoeur
-- and drafted Bryan Bullington
, who Littlefield said could be a "good #3 pitcher". Moskos has had an inconsistent career in the minors, while Wieters was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in 2008 and was their top ranked prospect entering the 2009 season. After battling with injuries, Bullington was waived by the Pirates in 2008 and signed by the Cleveland Indians
. Littlefield's other #1 draft picks were Paul Maholm
(2003), Neil Walker
(2004), Andrew McCutchen
(2005), and Brad Lincoln
(2006). http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/team/draft.jsp?c_id=pit
, Jose Castillo, Salomon Torres
, Damaso Marte
, and Tony Armas
. The Pirates were widely criticized for failing to employ a Latin American scouting director until hiring Rene Gayo nearly three years after Littlefield took over as General Manager. In addition, the team's facilities were widely considered to be among the worst in baseball. While other teams have recognized the benefits of signing such talent at relatively reasonable prices, the Pirates did not extend a signing bonus of more than $85,000 to a Latin American prospect during Littlefield's tenure. Some contend (particularly beat writer Dejan Kovacevic) that, as much as any other decision during Littlefield's tenure, the lack of emphasis on competing in Latin America was one of the most confounding and debilitating for the organization.
took over September 25, 2007.
, Pirates GM at the time the trades were made, justified them by saying that he wasn't breaking up the 1927 Yankees
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
executive. Littlefield was employed as Senior Vice President and General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, a position he held from July 13, 2001 to September 7, 2007. He took over as GM for Roy Smith
Roy Smith (1980s pitcher)
Le Roy Purdy Smith is a former professional baseball pitcher and executive. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from until . He is currently a scout for the New York Mets.-Playing career:...
, who had assumed the position on a temporary basis after the firing of GM Cam Bonifay
Cam Bonifay
Cameron Hubert Bonifay is a former major league baseball executive and scout, best known as general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1993 to 2001....
on June 11. He is currently working as a scout for the Chicago Cubs.
2003 Rule 5 draft
Littlefield received a large amount of negative publicity after the Pirates lost five prospects from their minor league system with the first six picks in the 2003 Rule 5 draftRule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, even though they had unused spots on their 40-man roster and could have protected several of the players if they had chosen to do so. Chris Shelton, who had recently been honored as the team's minor league player of the year, went with the first pick, and he was followed in short order by Rich Thompson
Rich Thompson (outfielder)
Richard Charles Thompson is a professional baseball outfielder who is currently playing in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 6th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. Thompson played his first professional season with their Low-A...
, Frank Brooks
Frank Brooks
Frank J. Brooks is a Major League Baseball player who currently plays in the Atlantic League for the Somerset Patriots...
, Jeff Bennett
Jeff Bennett (baseball)
David Jeffrey "Jeff" Bennett is an American professional baseball pitcher who most recently pitched in Major League Baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Milwaukee Brewers:...
, and José Bautista. Baseball executives present at the draft laughed openly at Littlefield's embarrassment, and the laughter intensified after the Pirates declined to make a pick of their own. The Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, picking seventh, had all five Pirate players listed on their draft board and were frustrated to see them all go too soon, and an anonymous executive from another American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
team said that his team had also planned to take a Pirate prospect, refraining only because in his words, "There wasn't anything left."
Trading record
Littlefield acquired a reputation throughout MLB as a difficult trading partner, in that his demands during negotiations were often seen as grossly excessive. It was rumored that Littlefield turned down a trade offer in 2005 with former GM of the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Ed Wade
Ed Wade
Ed Wade is the former General Manager of the Houston Astros.-Early career in baseball:Wade started his baseball career in 1977 as an intern in the Phillies public relations department. In 1977, he was named public relations assistant for the Astros and was promoted to public relations director in...
, in which the Pirates would swap pitcher Kip Wells
Kip Wells
Robert "Kip" Wells is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.-High school career:...
for the Phillies' Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
. There were also unconfirmed reports that Littlefield turned down trading Howard for pitcher Kris Benson
Kris Benson
Kristin James Benson is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Benson pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from to , New York Mets from to , Baltimore Orioles in to , Texas Rangers in , and Arizona Diamondbacks in ....
a year earlier.
Littlefield was criticized for trading players such as Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt
Jason David Schmidt , is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher.Schmidt was born in Lewiston, Idaho. In his career he has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves , by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of...
, Jason Kendall
Jason Kendall
Jason Daniel Kendall is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He is the son of former catcher Fred Kendall, who played in the majors from 1969–1980.-High school:...
, Sean Casey, Aramis Ramírez
Aramis Ramírez
Aramis Nin Ramírez is an All-Star Major League Baseball third baseman for the Chicago Cubs.He started his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998, before being traded to the Cubs in 2003. On November 12, 2006, Ramírez signed a five-year deal with the Cubs...
, Chris Young, Gary Matthews Jr., and Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
for little or nothing in return. While small market teams thrive on trading established veterans for packages of talented minor leaguers, Littlefield repeatedly asked for lower-ceiling "Major League ready" prospects in return. As a result, when he left, the Pirates had a plethora of mid-to-late 20s, borderline Major Leaguers, and very few young, impact prospects within the system. This strategy runs contrary to that of successful low-payroll teams like the A's, Twins, and Marlins.
In 2003, Littlefield approached the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
with a trade proposal in which the Pirates would receive Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
, Oliver Perez
Oliver Pérez
Óliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...
, and minor league pitcher Cory Stewart in exchange for star outfielder Brian Giles
Brian Giles
Brian Stephen Giles is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During his career he played for the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres...
. The Padres refused to surrender Nady, so Littlefield and the Pirates agreed to accept Jason Bay
Jason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
instead. Bay immediately emerged as a star, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2004, while Nady spent the next three seasons as a part-time player with the Padres and the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. Two years later, Littlefield was successful in trading for Nady in a deal for inconsistent pitcher Oliver Perez
Oliver Pérez
Óliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...
, who has continued to be inconsistent with New York, as well as veteran reliever, and soon to be free agent, Roberto Hernández and the compensatory draft pick the Mets received when Hernández left as a free agent that offseason.
Among his most widely lampooned transactions to date was the trade of pitcher Chris Young, in whom the Pirates had invested $1.5 million, to Montreal for Matt Herges
Matt Herges
Matthew Tyler Herges is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher.Herges is an alumnus of Illinois State University and is the brother-in-law of former Major League Baseball player Todd Hollandsworth....
in December 2002. Herges was promptly released in spring training, while Young was hailed as one best young pitchers in baseball four years later after having been traded from the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and, finally, to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, where he had an outstanding season in 2007 but has struggled since. Similarly, the 21-year-old Leo Núñez
Leo Núñez
Juan Carlos Oviedo ) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Miami Marlins as the team's closer. He bats and throws right-handed.-Playing career:...
was traded to Kansas City in December 2004; in return, the Pirates received 39-year-old Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played for twenty seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the San Diego Padres...
in order fill an immediate hole at the catcher position. Núñez has had some successful stretches for the Royals; Santiago had 6 hits with the Pirates before being released one month into the 2005 season. Some argue that trading away future impact players has severely hindered the Pirates in recent years.
On July 31, 2007, Littlefield traded outfielder Rajai Davis
Rajai Davis
Rajai Davis [RAH-jay] is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for pitcher Matt Morris. The move was widely criticized, as Morris, who was 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA at the time of the trade, was slated to make $9.5 million in 2008. Many were surprised that the Pirates would take on such a large contract (especially without having the Giants pick up part of it), as their 2007 Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
payroll was just $38.5 million.
At the time of the trade, the Pirates were 42-62, 14.5 games out of first place.
Though he was frequently criticized for some trades that worked out poorly in the long run, Littlefield also managed to acquire the bulk of the Pirates' lineup through trades during his tenure. Jason Bay
Jason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
, Freddy Sanchez
Freddy Sanchez
Frederick Phillip "Freddy" Sanchez, Jr. is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. Sanchez has previously played for the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants...
, Adam LaRoche
Adam LaRoche
David Adam LaRoche , is a Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2011, the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal...
, José Bautista, and Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
were all acquired through trades. In his final season as GM, only one of the seven players with over 400 at-bats on the team, Ronny Paulino
Ronny Paulino
Ronny Leonel Paulino is a professional baseball player. He currently plays catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
, was not acquired through a trade. At the same time, this group finished in last place in their division—so even his more successful trades weren't enough to field a contender.
Drafting players
During Littlefield's tenure, the Pirates were widely criticized for taking players that were perceived to be more signable than talented. The most notable examples of this were in 2007, when Littlefield and the Pirates passed over the top-ranked college hitting prospect, Matt WietersMatt Wieters
Matthew Richard Wieters is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Wieters was drafted 5th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Wieters played college baseball for Georgia Tech, and his agent is Scott Boras. Wieters is a tall athletic hitter, standing 6 feet...
, and instead drafted relief pitcher Daniel Moskos
Daniel Moskos
Daniel Ross Moskos is an American baseball pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. A left-handed pitcher, Moskos was drafted with the 4th overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates....
, and in 2002 when the Pirates passed over B.J. Upton, widely regarded as the top prospect at the time, with the first overall pick—also passing over other highly touted prospects, including Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
, Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
, Khalil Greene
Khalil Greene
Khalil Thabit Greene is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...
, Scott Kazmir
Scott Kazmir
Scott Edward Kazmir is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Kazmir made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004 when he was only 20 years old and at one time held many of the franchise's career pitching records...
, Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
, Matt Cain
Matt Cain
Matthew Thomas Cain is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants...
, Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels throws a four-seam fastball, a circle changeup, a curveball, and a cut fastball, which he added in 2010...
and Jeff Francoeur
Jeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
-- and drafted Bryan Bullington
Bryan Bullington
Bryan Paul Bullington is a right-handed pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball...
, who Littlefield said could be a "good #3 pitcher". Moskos has had an inconsistent career in the minors, while Wieters was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in 2008 and was their top ranked prospect entering the 2009 season. After battling with injuries, Bullington was waived by the Pirates in 2008 and signed by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Littlefield's other #1 draft picks were Paul Maholm
Paul Maholm
Paul Gurner Maholm is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Amateur career:Maholm is a graduate of Germantown High School in Germantown, Tennessee...
(2003), Neil Walker
Neil Walker (baseball)
Neil Martin Walker is an American professional baseball second and third baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball...
(2004), Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen
Andrew Stefan McCutchen is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
(2005), and Brad Lincoln
Brad Lincoln
Brad Eric Lincoln is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Amateur career:...
(2006). http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/team/draft.jsp?c_id=pit
Latin America
Under Littlefield's direction, the Pirates were less aggressive than other teams in signing players from Latin America. At the end of his tenure, the team had no Latin American impact prospects within their minor league system, and those on the major league roster were regarded by many as marginal talents, most signed or acquired before Littlefield's tenure: José Bautista, Ronny PaulinoRonny Paulino
Ronny Leonel Paulino is a professional baseball player. He currently plays catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
, Jose Castillo, Salomon Torres
Salomón Torres
Salomón Torres Ramirez is a former Major League Baseball player. He began his career in with the San Francisco Giants, and also played for the Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers.-San Francisco Giants:Torres is best known for starting the last game of the...
, Damaso Marte
Dámaso Marté
Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...
, and Tony Armas
Tony Armas
Antonio Rafael Armas Machado is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was one of the top sluggers in the American League in the early 1980s. Twice Armas led the league in home runs, and led all of Major League Baseball in RBIs in...
. The Pirates were widely criticized for failing to employ a Latin American scouting director until hiring Rene Gayo nearly three years after Littlefield took over as General Manager. In addition, the team's facilities were widely considered to be among the worst in baseball. While other teams have recognized the benefits of signing such talent at relatively reasonable prices, the Pirates did not extend a signing bonus of more than $85,000 to a Latin American prospect during Littlefield's tenure. Some contend (particularly beat writer Dejan Kovacevic) that, as much as any other decision during Littlefield's tenure, the lack of emphasis on competing in Latin America was one of the most confounding and debilitating for the organization.
Firing
Littlefield was fired on the morning of September 7, 2007. The announcement came shortly before the Pirates could clinch their seventh consecutive losing season under his management. The Pirates complied a 442-581 record during Littlefield's tenure, never finishing higher than 4th place in the NL Central. Brian Graham, the director of player development for the Pirates, served as interim general manager until new Pirates GM Neal HuntingtonNeal Huntington
Neal Alden Huntington is the 12th person to serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization...
took over September 25, 2007.
The Aftermath
In the first 2 years following the Dave Littlefield era, almost every player acquired by Littlefield was purged from the Pirates major league roster, most of them via trade. These trades were made primarily to restock a farm system that was left completely bereft of impact talent and needed to be restocked in order to make the Pirates a long term contender. While many of these trades were roundly criticized by fans and media alike, Neal HuntingtonNeal Huntington
Neal Alden Huntington is the 12th person to serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization...
, Pirates GM at the time the trades were made, justified them by saying that he wasn't breaking up the 1927 Yankees
Murderers' Row
Murderers’ Row was the nickname given to the New York Yankees baseball team of the late 1920s, in particular the first six hitters in the 1927 team lineup: Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel and Tony Lazzeri....
.