One good thing about Smith was he spent the money Target Field was bringing in. Ownership wanted him gone because he wanted to increase the payroll. Ownership was giving the vote of confidence. He presented his offseason plan to fix the team. He was fired soon after, Ryan was rehired and Ryan slashed payroll while ownership banked the revenue from the Taxpayer funded stadium. Smith wasnt a good GM but he spent money that Ryan would not. I would bet 5 of my own dollars if Ryan was the GM Sano would be in Pittsburgh now.