Pirates Sign Free Agent Following Extended Lockout. Fail To Make Formal Announcement To Avoid Fan Backlash.

Obviously this an overly dramatic interpretation of what actually took place on the first full day after the MLB Lockout was finally lifted; as a new CBA was approved by the MLPA and the league’s owners. Yet, it also seems fairly fitting considering the Pirates propensity to botch even this simplest report of a transaction; from the Gregory Polanco waiver leak fiasco and his eventual DFA to Phillip Evans and Tanner Anderson being released, but letting it be known for over a month.

In the grand scheme of things these types of moves are just blip on Cherington’s resume as Pirates GM. However, when it’s your goal to create a winning environment both on and off the field, it helps to act like you know what you are doing; down to the even smallest details. Which ultimately brings us back to an acquisition the Pirates completed on Friday.

Listed near the top of the Pirates transaction page on their official website-mixed in with the Non-Roster Invitations to Spring Training-is the Free Agent signing of Third Baseman Taylor Davis. Yes, the same Taylor Davis that the was let go on the same day we found out about Evans and Anderson.

Now here’s where all the fun starts.

On the same official website that called the man who has logged 292.1 innings at the position a third baseman-not a catcher (3246.1 innings) or even a first baseman (1107.2 innings)-doubled down and added him to the Pirates 40-Man. In contrast the Pirates Social Media Department indexed him alongside the Non-Roster Invitees to the MLB edition of Spring Training.

Immediately many within the Pirates fanbase began to wonder if Davis was being brought in as Roberto Perez’s backup, or if he was simply a familiar signal caller being used to stretch out the plethora of arms needed for Opening Day; because if you weren’t aware, there is a pretty big distinction between the two.

Obviously at this point we know exactly where Davis fits in as Cherington and Company went back to their waiver wire well by claiming reliever Aaron Fletcher from the Seattle Mariners; officially announcing the acquisition on the Pirates profile, along with the fact that the 40-Man Roster was now full.

Nevertheless, all of this initial confusion could have been easily avoided by effectively communicating across the board. Sure, Pirates Fans are probably still upset that the team’s first real transaction-to add to roster-after the lockout was a waiver claim, but at least they didn’t have to wonder exactly what was going on.

Now, I realize that most of you are probably more focused on what is about to take place for the rest of Spring Training and during the upcoming season. Believe, me I am too. Even so, it’s hard for me to ignore even the smallest missteps; particularly when they start to become a pattern. You know, like regularly talking about taking steps to bolster the roster, but continuing to add players released by other teams.

Sorry, I just couldn’t help it. Sometimes these things just write themselves.