The New Pitching Coach

I forgot to mention possibly the most crucial offseason move the Pirates have made: the hiring of pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. I know everyone hates on Jeff Andrews and, at least based on the results of the '08 staff, he deserves it. His supporters, of which I was once one, will point out the fine work of Paul Maholm last year and how Andrews was a part of it. Well, I would say that Maholm pitched nearly as well from June on in the '07 season (excusing his two starts in late September, following a stint on the DL). At most, Andrews just didn't screw him up.

But as for Kerrigan, I don't know if he'll fix all that ails the Pirate's staff. He is, however, entering at a point where a few key pitchers are coming off horrible years, so it would be hard to make things much worse. The Pirates will have more of a competition for rotation (and bullpen) spots this year than last, so that definitely helps. And Kerrigan does have more coaching experience than Andrews. Andrews had spent many years as a pitching coach, just never in the majors prior to last season. Kerrigan on the other hand has spent much of his coaching career in the big leagues, as pitching coach for Montreal, Boston and Philadelpia, and even managing the Red Sox briefly. Still, this is no guarantee that Kerrigan is a genius who can turn the Bucs' pitching staff around, but it does inspire more confidence.