U mad, bro? Some Pirates fans bash Starling Marte trade. Others bash Tim Benz for bashing it.

This week’s “U mad, bro?” was easy. Everybody was mad about the Pirates trading Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two 19-year-old prospects, who are years away from making their big-league debuts.

You are either mad about the trade. Or you are mad at those being critical of it.

Guess which camp I’m in!

I wrote a column ripping the trade. And a lot of other people agreed.

Talk that Talk @TimBenzPGH. I had enough of this “rebuild” charade. What has Nutting shown you to believe in with that process!? It isn’t like he brought the #Pirates a year or two ago. We gotta decade plus of evidence proving other wise. https://t.co/ywDpEwZFUx

— Chad Lee-Cannon (@Chad_Lee_Cannon) January 28, 2020

My thoughts exactly

— Yinzer_in_OK (@ejonesoh1) January 28, 2020

My thoughts too, sadly. You don't get better by getting rid of established talent for prospects IF you then develop those prospects to established talent then trade them. Rinse. Repeat. Josh Bell is next...

— SaltyScientist (@firesleuth) January 28, 2020

I just want to say that if the Diamondbacks are willing to take Marte and they’re willing to give up to young prospects that tells me the prospects probably aren’t worth much. This does sound like a Huntington deal and these two probably will not make it to star status.

— Cyndi Ivancso (@CIvancso) January 28, 2020

Then, there’s the other side. They are mad at me for doubting what the Pirates did.

Buckle up for what they have to say.

Kevin hated my column.

The pirates won 69 games last year. They weren’t gonna win many more this year with Marte. Keeping him would have been dumber than this article. https://t.co/kAgawdf8Um

— Kevin D. Riley (@ORileyFactor_21) January 28, 2020

But the two 19-year-olds in the low minors are going to help win more this year? Are you serious?

If you are going to base your argument on what would’ve helped the Major League team this year, then they should’ve gotten an MLB-capable starter and an MLB-hitting-capable catcher in return.

The Pirates should’ve procured a better haul for Marte. They reportedly failed to get prospects they wanted from the New York Mets, so they turned to the Diamondbacks.

When they did turn to the Diamondbacks, they failed to get top catching prospect Daulton Varsho.

So they settled for pitcher Brennan Malone and shortstop Liover Peguero. Sure. They might be good someday.

Someday. And if “someday” does come, who is going to be moved off the team to make way for them in the midst of an affordable contract with term remaining?

Are we still waiting for “someday” to come for, say, Alen Hanson? How about Luis Heredia? Brad Eldred? Nick Kingham?

Arizona’s ability to get Marte for minimal expenditure is getting praised by multiple outlets nationwide. And the Pirates’ failure to get players on a clearer path to the big leagues as opposed to acquiring A-ball risks is getting panned.

That’s just not me saying that. Those are numerous opinions across the country.

But sure. I’m the dumb one. Not you, Kevin.

You are the one buying the same 40-year con. But, clearly, you are a genius for doing so.

The organization’s attitude continues to be, “Just trade veterans for deep prospects because we’re gonna stink this year anyway, and fan expectations are low. So let’s perpetually sell the hope of unmolded clay because no one has seen it look bad yet.”

However, if a team does that every year, then by the time the 19-year-olds become 24-year-olds ready to contribute, the 28- to 31-year-old All-Stars who know what they are doing get traded away once they start to make money.

And the cycle of failure continues. If a team keeps doing that, then it is going to make a profit, but it is going to stink almost every season for about 40 consecu….

Hey! Wait a minute….

JoLo chimed in, too.

Tim, honest question for you. Are you of the opinion that there were moves Cherington could have made this offseason that would have thrust a 69 win team into contention? You seem to believe that given that you’re lamenting the fact that there was not a big league return here.

— joe h (@JOLO_0) January 28, 2020

Assuming there are no plans to spend more? No.

It’s also not the point.

The point is that based on current MLB standards, Marte shouldn’t “need” to be traded. He’s not making THAT much ($11.5 million) to be in the top five of a major-league batting order and play center field.

Plus, I’m just sick of justifying the MLB roster stinking in exchange for the perennial “You watch! They’ll be good in four years” refrain.

John thinks I’m being too negative about the Marte trade.

You’re so bitter. Does someone need a hug?

— John Terek (@JohnTerek) January 28, 2020

You’re right, John. I should just sit back and enjoy the Luke Maile era. Let it wash over me!

I don’t like the trade either, but sitting around crying about it won’t change anything. As long as you have a greedy penny pinching owner & sorry GM nothing will happen. So let’s just enjoy the rest of the Pens season, get through the summer & wait for Steelers fiasco to begin.

— John Terek (@JohnTerek) January 28, 2020

Am I “crying”? Or giving the opinion I’m paid to give?

And in your tweet, the whole “Eh, who cares? Just let the Pirates do their thing and wake me up when training camp starts” attitude is why they are emboldened to do what they are doing in the first place.

These guys weren’t fond of my column suggesting some ideas (i.e., Kevin Pillar) if the Pirates were serious about going after a center fielder with experience to replace Marte.

“If the Pirates are serious...” bye

— IronCity (@ironcity1176) January 29, 2020

You guys are hilarious! If they’re serious? How funny. Next ask Marte if they’re serious. pic.twitter.com/0IbVjVik4s

— shark bite (@sharkbitetony) January 29, 2020

I wish you guys had saved your Pirates sarcasm and cynicism until you actually read the article so as to properly enjoy my Pirates sarcasm and cynicism.

But you obviously just read the headline. Because in the story I explicitly wrote:

“I can’t seriously write about the Pirates being ‘serious’ when it comes to reallocating dollars back into the MLB roster until I see it with my own eyes.”

The goal of this kind of column is for the writer to state what the team should do. Not predict what the team is going to do.

I didn’t think this was such complicated stuff. Maybe you guys aren’t as smart as that Kevin guy above.

Charles has me figured out.

Tim sounds like a media member who wants the pirates to be relevant this year so he has something to do. As fans I think most of us are ok with a true rebuild now that theres new people doing it

— Charles Edmond (@cedmond422) January 28, 2020

“True” rebuild? As opposed to the unending series of “fake” ones they’ve been doing since 1993?

The first part of your tweet, though, is spot on. You got me, Charles.

I’m a jerk media member who just wants the MLB team in town to be relevant. Like all those idiot fans who just want to spend a few nights at the ball park each summer with the hopes of seeing competitive baseball in their city.

You nailed it. What a bunch of selfish rubes we all are.

Sigh. Oh well. Guess I gotta own that. That’s who I am.

Sorry, I’ll get out of your way — and all the other fans you are speaking for that I’m sure will stay interested and invested through four more losing seasons until 2024 or so.

Leyon seems to think I’m having a tough time dealing with reality.

Benz just hasnt realized they rnt spending 90M in payroll. Its a delusion he cant wake up from

— leyon2992 (@Leyon2992) January 29, 2020

Oh, no. I’m well aware.

Unlike you, though, while I am awake, I want to voice my displeasure about it. But you feel free to go back to sleep and dream of A-ball prospects dancing in your head.

For the next 20 years, too.