A day off, but still news (16-29)

The Pirates have added some more of their draft picks. Brandon Crompton (9th) and Ryan Hafner (17th). More are on their way according to several blogs like Pirate Prospects. Neither of these two excite me very much. Compton does have college experience and might could be bullpen help. Hafner, I think, is one of those guys that probably should have gone to college. Good fastball and a hopeful frame is the best way to describe him. Bullpen is his best hope too. But to get there he will have to increase velocity and learn at least one other pitch. That will just get him two.

We also need to disucss the firings. Gary Varsho and pitching coach Bill Kerrigan were fired this week for insubordiantion basically. They wer not supporting John Russell. He apparently asked for them to be fired and they were. Good sign for Rusell, but is it a good sign for the Pirates? Probably not. I want to say up front, you cannot really disagree with the firings because who on the coaching staff deserves to keep his job? Anyone? Anyone? No. But can you really blame them for not following Russell? He is not a good maanger. We don't know specifics, but perhaps they thought Doumit should not be given playing time as much as possible? Is that really bad? What decisions has JR made that were really laudable?

Now I think Kerrigan is a bad pitching coach, and always has been. Fire him for that, and I think that is a good move. Varsho, I respect a bit more. It has also been unclear what exactly he did. He had a good run as a bench coach with the Phillies, and I would be interested in knowing more. Now, that said, both the replacements are just as good. The bullpen Coach is the new pitching coach. Good news, and the minor league coordinator is moving to bench coach. Both have been strengths for the Pirates. I hope it goes well.

Still, I think the Pirates are not going to be able to move forward without a new manager.