I didn't know about a Medlen trade, do you have a link?
Their drafting is what is the most damning piece of evidence NH should be fired or at the very least Greg Smith the person in charge of the drafts. Lets forget the #1 draft picks for a second and the international signings (where the Pirates have gotten all of their talent for the most part), their draft philosophy has stunk.
In 2009 they drafted Tony Sanchez in the first round, passing up tons of better players so they could afford to sign late round HS players to big bonuses. Not a single player from that draft looks to be above replacement, including Sanchez who is just a glove.
2010 was the Stetson Allie debacle. Look he said in numerous interviews he didn't like pitching and wanted to hit. He said he just liked throwing hard. The Pirates were blinded by the radar gun and basically lied too by this incredible ********* and his father. Allie had zero intention of being a pitcher and quit on the team in the second year. I don't believe it was bad luck, if a kid has serious doubts about wanting to do something you freaking listen and not spend millions in bonuses on him. Now they have a 3B "prospect" who can't make contact and strkes out 35% of the time, yippee.
This is just some issues I have with this team and its draft process. They spent TONS of money on late round picks to have all fail or in the process of failing. Now the 2011 and 2012 drafts are too new to judge but they seem to have some better late rounds (Clay Holmes for one) but if they don't start putting up numbers in 2013 NH should be fired. It doesn't take 8 years to rebuild a team.
