Pirates Exercise John Russell's 2010 Option

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 21, 2009 2:59 PM EST

The Pirates have exercised John Russell's option for 2010, the Post-Gazette reports. It's fairly routine for teams to exercise these options early so they're not bombarded with rumors that the manager will be fired and so that the manager isn't burdened with lame duck status. The Pirates exercised a 2005 option on Lloyd McClendon's contract in April 2004 for those reasons. So it's probably unwise to read too much into Russell's extension.

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Mr. Excitement!

Not much of a response on this blog to the picking up of Russell’s option for 2010.

And rightfully so.

He’s the perfect ‘company man’ to serve the first three years under Team Coonington.

Most people on this blog seem to think that Team Coonington has a plan, and that plan is apparently to build a team through drafting and player development in the hope that they can field a competitive team by 2011/2012.

I am a big proponent on the importance of good scouting and player development.

But that alone is not going to put a competitive team on the field. There needs to be much more going on behind the scenes.

At the opportune times, The Pirates are going to have to continue making trades of veterans for major-league ready prospects.

All of this involves GOOD TALENT EVALUATION.

Let’s see what happens.

by thegunner on Feb 22, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions

The lack of response...

is because this is barely newsworthy. I don’t think anyone didn’t expect this. Yes he is the perfect company man. In fact, every GM wants a company man. Managers who wear out their welcome seldom stay around for a long time. I do agree we need a lot more talent and will have to continue to trade vets at the right time. I would disagree with the comment that we have to acquire major league ready talent. We need to get the best talent we can get. Going gor major leagure ready talent over top talent is the kind of move DL used to make.

by Slick1 on Feb 22, 2009 7:22 PM EST reply actions