On October 2, 2024, following an underwhelming season that resulted in them finishing last in their National League Central division, Pittsburgh Pirates revealed an overhaul to their coaching staff that began after poor post-trade deadline performance resulted in them firing hitting coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach Justin Meccage from their posts.
Examining the Pirates’ Difficult Season With an overall record of 76-86, their season took an abrupt decline after going 21-34 posttrade deadline to end any remaining playoff hopes. A key contributor was an offense under Haines that continued underperforming alongside an under-delivering bullpen unit that did not deliver as expected.
Lackluster Offensive Output The offensive aspect of the Pirates was particularly disappointing, languishing in the lower echelons of the league concerning batting average, runs scored, home runs, and on-base percentage over the three seasons with Haines at the helm. This trend continued into 2024, underscoring a need for change.
Bullpen Issues Contrary to preseason expectations, the Pirates’ bullpen experienced considerable challenges this season. Notable examples are David Bednar being removed as two-time All Star closer late in the year while Colin Holderman struggled in August – both incidents being noteworthy events as one could make out. Also not helping was their record losses against Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox!
As they seek a way forward from these obstacles, the Pittsburgh Pirates are determined to chart a fresh course. Their decision to release Haines and Meccage marks an early effort at revitalizing both team morale and competitive spirit.