Now that the trigger has popped on the Steelers’ season like so many meat thermometers stuck into so many Christmas turkeys, we can move on to more depressing news.

More depressing than a lost football season in Pittsburgh? More somber news than sticking a fork in the Steelers because their season is done, over, finished?

Yes, even more depressing as that.

You see, we expect a lot out of the Steelers. Missing the playoffs is paramount to the Mayans being correct about the so-called End of the World prophecy.

Somehow, though, the news coming out of the Pittsburgh Pirates front office this offseason is perhaps worse.

I guess we should expect it. After all, it’s been 20 years since the Buccos had a winning season. Blah. Blah. Blah. We all know the horrible numbers.

Last season, though, gave Pirate faithful a little glimmer of hope. For four-plus months, the Bucs were actually, gasp, good.

Then September happened.

Here’s what the front office has whipped up since the 9-22 close to the season:

• Let Jeff Karstens go.

When he was healthy, Karstens was one of the most consistent pitchers on the roster. The right-hander was also valuable because he could be a long reliever, eating up innings or a spot starter.

And he was relatively cheap at $3.1 million.

• Signed Russell Martin.

The Pirates jettisoned Karstens to make room for Martin, which would have been a great move if this were 2006. But it’s not.

Martin hit .211 last season. Sure, he smacked 21 homers, but he’s just another Rob Barajas and for $8.5 million per year.

Martin’s average, on base percentage and OPS have been dropping steadily for the past five seasons.

• Opened up the checkbook for Francisco Liriano.

Quick! Someone get Neal Huntington a calendar. He thinks in 2006.

Liriano had a 2.16 ERA in ‘06. But since he blew his arm out, he’s been average at best. Over the past two seasons, Liriano has notched ERAs of 5.09 and 5.34 — not exactly No. 3 starter material.

But that’s what the Bucs are asking — and paying — Liriano to be at $7 million per year.

• Traded Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox for what amounts to a box of baseballs.

The Bucs also threw in a 24-year-old Brock Holt in the deal and got back a reliever who had a 6.10 ERA and spent most of the year sulking in Pawtucket, an outfielder who has hit four home runs in 224 career at-bats, a pitcher who has been stuck at double-A for two seasons and a utility infielder.

Not exactly a great haul for a closer who has converted 76 of 84 save opportunities and made the All-Star Game.

None of these moves have made the Pirates better. In fact, they may have made them worse.

Enjoy losing season No. 21.