David Freese and the Quote That Will Likely Spark a Change in the Pirates Clubhouse

David Freese, a 9-year MLB veteran, came into the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse two days ago with a quote that ultimately shook the clubhouse and will likely lead to a culture change for the organization. Granted, none of us really know what goes on inside the clubhouse behind closed doors or what the true culture is of the Pirates organization, but if it's anything like Freese hinted to, then something needs to change.

According to an Associated Press article, Freese reported to camp and stated, "I think this place kind of gets ahead of itself. They try and keep up with the way analytical stuff is working, but man, you've got to have urgency. You've got to have accountability. You've got to have all these things. I've been here for two years and we've just kind of lacked in that department a little bit."

With a quote like that, it's hard to figure out where to start digesting it, but the message is simple: The Pirates need to take a step back, look at their organizational culture, and figure out what changes need to be made. If an MLB veteran like, David Freese, is speaking out about something even though he's only played with the team for two years, then something isn't right. Of course, we can't provide an accurate evaluation of what isn't right because we're not in there day in and day out, but we can speculate towards the culture changes that need to be made.

Let's begin with the first part of Freese's quote that talks about how the Pirates organization is lacking action and doesn't necessarily believe in the analytical measures that other teams are consistently relying on. When you look at the organization from a league wide standpoint, it's sort of easy to see what Freese is talking about. The Pirates haven't done a great job of adopting those analytical measures and using them to correctly evaluate and analyze the talent that is on their roster. For instance, when the team made the postseason in 2013, 2014, and 2015, they never made substantial additions at the Trade Deadline to put the team over the top and set them up for their best chance to make it to the World Series.

Now, I'm only speaking on how I view the organization, but it does seem to have a sort of old school feel and it's almost like while the rest of the industry is zigging, the Pirates are zagging and not keeping up with the times. When you look at their roster on paper right now, it's easy to see why most of the industry has this viewpoint. Yes, the team possesses a lot of young players, who all have potential to be successful at the major league level as well as veterans who can provide leadership in the clubhouse, but there aren't any trendy players that teams, who adopt analytics heavily such as the Houston Astros or rival Chicago Cubs, would consider to be on the cutting edge.

Rather than making substantial upgrades on the trade market, while Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen were still on the roster, Pittsburgh opted to basically hang onto what they had internally and use that to their advantage. Granted, they did acquire reliever, Felipe Rivero who earned a 4-year extension this winter with two team options, prior to the trade deadline in 2016 for Mark Melancon, but that is practically the only impact move that the organization made. Instead of going out and looking for a starting pitcher to couple with Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation or another power bat to put the offense on top, they fell short in their pursuits.

As far as the next portion of David Freese's statement goes, again we can only base it off of speculation, but in this sport today accountability is a huge thing. Players have to be willing to take accountability for their own individual performance and can't pass the blame onto one of their teammates or coaches. Likewise, coaches and the manager have to be held accountable for the decisions and processes that they put forth everyday and take responsibility for those things. If accountability doesn't exist for an MLB team, then it will only cause friction down the line and that's potentially what we're seeing here with what David Freese said.

Again, it's hard to have an adequate read on the amount of accountability within the clubhouse since none of us are in there day in and day out, but it's fair to wonder if some of that accountability and leadership is going to take a hit now that the likes of Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen are no longer in the clubhouse. If a 9-year, almost 10-year MLB veteran is making a point about how the team lacks accountability, then the Pirates might need to dig down in their minor league system and see if it is truly an issue that exists all throughout the organization. If it is, then they need to implement changes to change that part of the culture and ensure that players coming up through the system are buying into the accountability measures being taught and promoted.

Finally, let's end with another quote by David Freese on the same day. According to the same article by the Associated Press, Freese stated, "The last two years, we didn't do as well as we could have because of our environment. That's what I think. I walk in every day, and the demand to win just hasn't been in the air. That's what you need." Again, another powerful quote that essentially relates back to the first point that this article made about the Pirates just settling for less than their best.

From the outside, it's a perception that is probably never going to go away, especially since the Pirates had a prime opportunity to make it to the World Series three years in a row, to only fall short and find themselves in a modest rebuild two years later. When you have a shot to play deep into October and potentially bring your team and your fanbase a World Series Championship, you have to capitalize on that opportunity, You can't settle for less than your best, count on only what you have internally, and not make substantial upgrades like recent World Series winners have at the trade deadline.

Just look at the Houston Astros, who won the World Series last year, and did so because of a major upgrade they made at the trade deadline in starting pitcher, Justin Verlander. Yes, it wasn't the July 31st Trade Deadline, but it was at the Waiver Trade Deadline at the end of August and it put them over the top. Furthermore, look at what the Chicago Cubs did at the July 31st Trade Deadline in 2016. They acquired Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman, two of the best relievers in the game right now. Yes, the Pirates got Felipe Rivero, who is also a great reliever, but that has pretty much been their only headline addition at the trade deadline the past couple of years.

In the end, it's hard to get an accurate read on the Pirates culture from the outside, but this is coming from a player that's been part of the team for two years now and has witnessed exactly what is wrong with the culture there in Pittsburgh. When you run an MLB team, not only do you have to show your players and fan base that you are committed to winning and putting the best team on the field, especially when you have opportunities to get over the top, you also have to promote accountability day in and day out. If accountability isn't being promoted, then the blame is just going to keep getting passed around the room and eventually will lead to a tumultuous environment.

The Pirates clubhouse might not be in danger of that just yet, but based on these two quotes by David Freese, things don't seem to be looking up in the Steel City and a organizational culture change might be needed sooner than later.