Here’s a roundup of news and reactions from the papers and the web regarding John Russell’s firing and the quest to replace him:
Over at Bucs Dugout, I talk to an Indians blogger about potential managerial candidate Eric Wedge and rant about a bizarrely opinionated news piece at the AP.
Dejan Kovacevic calls out the Pirates’ front office for forcing Russell to play struggling players like Akinori Iwamura and Charlie Morton. I don’t agree with Kovacevic that the return Huntington got in his flurry of trades the past few years was “negligible,” particularly given the meager talent the PIrates had to offer, but Kovacevic’s article includes a number of very legitimate criticisms of the front office. Russell would have had a very hard row to hoe no matter what, but being forced to play awful players, including some who plainly should not have been on the field, just makes things worse.
Pat Lackey of WHYGAVS says Russell was a victim of circumstance.
Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects asks whether Ray Searage, whose job as the Pirates’ pitching coach is now in jeopardy due to the Russell firing, should be retained.