The difference between the Indians and the Royals/Pirates is that the Royals and Pirates would either have new management or would be on a short leash if they were still stinking up the joint. The Indians Ownership doesn't hold the front office accountable for singing players to bad contracts.
Since Shapiro took over in 2001/2002:
The
Pirates have had two GM's in place (a temporary GM for 3 weeks in between the two), the same number as us, and the same guy since 2007:
Dave Littlefield: 349-460 (69.8 wins per season), 0 playoff appearances
*Never had more than 75 wins*
Neil Huntington: 519-614 (74.1 wins per season), 2 playoff appearances (0 LCS appearances)
*1st five seasons were losing seasons, 1st four were 90+ loss seasons (including one 100 loss season)*
The
Royals have had two GM's in place, the same number as us, and the same guy since 2006:
Allard Baird: 386-586 (64.3 wins per season), 0 playoff appearances
*four 100 loss seasons*
Dayton Moore: 594-702 (74.3 wins per season), 1 playoff appearances (1 LCS, 1 WS)
*5 out of 6 seasons with 90+ losses from 2007-2012*
Mark Shapiro: 704-754 (78.2 wins per season), 1 playoff appearance
*three total 90 loss seasons, including the last two seasons he was in charge*
Chris Antonetti: 325-323 (81.3 wins per season), 1 playoff appearance (1 LCS)
*three out of four seasons of 80+ wins*
Are you sure those teams would be quick to pull the trigger? All four of the other GM's had much worse resumes than our two GM's have had over the past 13 years or so.
Out of the three current GM's, Antonetti is the only one that hasn't had more than one 90 loss season.
Seems to me both Pissburgh & KC were patient with their guys and gave them every opportunity to improve the club, even moreso than we have, actually