Pirate beat reporter Dejan Kovacevic posts his take on the state of the Bucco organization in today's Post-Gazette. Aside from some minor quibbles (Duffy a building block?), I think DK did a very good job of summing up where the Bucs are and why. He offers a more even-handed take on some of the organization's problems that I've been recently harping on -- namely the current talent gap in the minor league system and the recent poor draft crops. Of particular interest is the section on the organization's international signings.

Also of interest is the topic of the team's recent veteran stopgap spending spree:

One argument against such spending is that this money, if funneled instead to the developmental level, would create an immense pool for signing amateurs.

"With a team like Pittsburgh, that's what I'd be doing," one National League executive said. "At the lower levels, they can compete financially with anyone. Not in the bigs. You're just throwing the money away instead of continuing to build."

Couldn't have said it better myself. Once the season kicks off, I'll be rooting for every player in a Pirates' uniform, but the acquisitions of Sean Casey, Jeromy Burnitz, Joe Randa and Roberto Hernandez still leave a bad taste in my mouth. It doesn't matter if the team breaks the .500 barrier if there is no foundation for continuing success.