What the Pirates should do

I'm not gonna sugar coat it and I'm going to get straight to the point. After 2 straight collapses something has to change. The Pirates should fire Clint Hurdle, Neal Huntington, his crony Kyle Stark, and yes even Frank Coonley. I will elaborate on why I think all should be fired and even give possible replacements for Hurdle.

Frank Coonley

Let's start off with the big gun. Frank Coonley has done a fine job with taking over this team and building it up. The problem is that the building process is over. It's time to start the maintenance of the the newly built team and he does not seem to understand that. Add into that the fact that he's letting Neal Huntington and Kyle Stark put prospects through Navy Seal training (not knowingly, but should know) and his off the field drinking problems and I see him as a liability. Don't forget either that he just announced that jobs were safe when Nutting hasn't decided. That's a trust issue. Unfortunately, don't expect this to happen. Coonley is still Nuttings's right hand man and I can't see him firing Coonley because it's too smart of a move for Nutting.

Neal Huntington

I'm sorry but Neal is unfit for this job. He is very good at building up an organization. He's just way too conservative to GM a winning team. He's too attached to the prospects (much like Tim Williams is at Pirates Prospects) he has and he won't do what is right because he's too afraid of screwing up. As a GM you need to know when to part with your treasures when it helps your team and not your reputation. He doesn't have the balls to do something that makes him unpopular even if it is better for the team. Huntington needs to be on a team where expectations are low and no matter what he does he can't be criticized. That's why he was successful in Cleveland and now here. If I were the Pirates I would relieve him of his duties and hire an assistant GM from a team where winning is always a priority or a big market so they can handle the pressure (like LA, St. Louis, etc). This would also mean the end to crony Kyle Stark who is even more conservative than Huntington. The Navy Seal training doesn't help either. I put the this at a 50-50 shot.

Clint Hurdle

This is the most obvious. Clint Hurdle lost this team down the stretch. It's obvious. And the dopey lineups he sent out while we were still in the race just shows he basically gave up too. Not to mention the unbelievably stupid calls he made in games this year that also cost us several games. When is enough enough? When does clubhouse leadership stop outweighing on the field stupidity. I say "the buck stops here!" and Clint Hurdle will be gone. Bob Nutting vowed that changes would be made and if you're looking for a main cause, it has to be Clint Hurdle. Odds on this I have to say are 70-30. Nutting needs to do something and this is most obvious solution that will appease fans unless there is another collapse.

Bonus! Options for new manager if Hurdle is laid off

Terry Francona- He's the perfect fit. Good clubhouse guy, great in game manager too. The move to a smaller market would avoid the Red Sox disaster too. Will take a lot of money though.

Sandy Alomar Jr.- If the Indians hire Francona, Alomar is the next best pick. He's young, experienced bench coach, and he knows the ins and outs. Could be the next Ventura.

Jim Riggleman- did a good job with the Nats and I thought was unfairly let go. I'd be wary though as he could be the next Hurdle...

Luis Silverio- Pirates man through and through. Has respect with the team and I just have a feeling he could be make the right decisions on the field as he does well at first already.

Brian Giles- WOAH! The former Pirate would have instant respect as a former player through these tough times. Teams seen to be doing this more and more now and it seems to be working so, why not try? Also considered putting Jason Kendall and Jack Wilson on this list...