P.J. Forbes Out, New Skipper Will Lead Altoona Curve in 2013

Once again, the Pittsburgh Pirates have removed their Double-A skipper as P.J. Forbes is out as manager of the Altoona Curve. Cory Giger has the scoop in the Altoona Mirror.   It seems like the move was in the works for some time, as Forbes said he has been interviewing.

The article states Forbes was offered a position. Forbes is quoted as saying it would have “been going to another level.” It would be easy to speculate that the Bucs wanted Forbes to take over the recently vacated West Virginia Power job. The Bucs announced that Rick Sofield, who worked with Neal Huntington with the Expos, would be the new first base coach leaving the skipper of the Power up for grabs.

The next skipper isn’t being announced yet, but it appears as one would expect, the Bucs might be interested in looking a bit deeper.  One thought out there is a new skipper might want to attempt to bring along a key staff member.   That leads us to the current staff–Jeff Johnson, the pitching coach, and Ryan Long, the hitting coach,  are expected to remain in the organization, but where they will be going in 2013 is unknown.

The Curve never had a ton of talent in Forbes two seasons, just look at the opening day linep up there from 2012.

Or if you talk to some other people,  the talent donning the unis for the Double-A Curve never reached their full potential. It just depends on who you talk to within the Buccos organization.

If you look at the 2012 opening day lineup,  what sticks out to you?     We see a number of players that simply aren’t getting it done within the Bucs system.

So who is to blame?  The players or the development staff?   As always, that’s the big question.  Apparently, the Bucs wanted a different face, once again, to lead the Curve.

Listen to Kyle Stark from 2011, almost two years now to give yourself a reminder on the Buccos system.