The Pirates are not a real MLB team. If they were, they would have already fired their GM and manager. But Bob Nutting won't pay people to not work. FOLLOW THE MONEY.

But the COLLAPSE - from 16 games over .500 to a 20th straight losing season - should be blamed ON THE PLAYERS. Nutting isn't the guy who can't get a bunt down. Who can't hit the cutoff. Who keeps making outs at third base. That's on the players and Clint Hurdle.

Maybe Nutting finally got what he paid for. The Pirates don't have much legit talent. On paper, that team should have NEVER been 16 games over .500.

Andrew McCutchen isn't getting as much blame as he might. Since Aug. 1, his average has dropped 44 points. YIKES. Cutch wasn't going to keep hitting .373. But his power disappeared: Only two home runs between July 18 and Sept. 8. That KILLED the Pirates.

Starling Marte is a FRAUD. Crap rookie year after all that hype: .247 with no extra-base hits since Sept. 17 and no home runs since Aug. 8. Another banjo-hitting corner outfielder. Marte is 23. Young, but not that young. Strictly bench material right now.

Good thing baseball doesn't have a promotion/relegation system like soccer. The Pirates would be in the Reserve Township Little League by now.