Just the Pirates being the Pirates, Vol. 61

From Your Favorite Daily Newspaper, Feb. 3, 2003:

TRANSACTIONS
Pittsburgh Pirates: Signed RHP Jeff Suppan to a 1-year contract. Designated RHP Bronson Arroyo for assignment.

I had intended to write about Arroyo's emergence as a legitimate top-tier starting pitcher last night, after his spectactular near-no-hitter yesterday. But then those Prozac-addled Celtics got in the way.

I'll likely get around to giving Arroyo a verbal backrub in the next day or two. In the meantime, ponder the above piece of agate and answer me this:

Have the Pirates ever adequately explained their decision to waive Arroyo, 25 years old and coming off an excellent season (2.96 ERA, 143 innings, 126 hits, 28 walks, 116 Ks) in the Pacific Coast League? Or do they just say, "Hey, we're the Pirates. We're dumb that way," and leave it at that?

Answers. I want 'em.