Four Potential Coaching Staff Replacements For The Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 16, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (left) talks with outfielder Matt Joyce (right) during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (left) talks with outfielder Matt Joyce (right) during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins hitting coach Barry Bonds (25) looks on from the batting cage prior to a game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins hitting coach Barry Bonds (25) looks on from the batting cage prior to a game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Ex-Marlins Hitting Coach Barry Bonds

Alright, I’ll admit this one is a real long shot. Honestly, I think there is a less than zero percent chance this would happen. But that does not change the fact that there are few people more qualified than Barry Lamar Bonds.

Last season Bonds served as the hitting coach for the Miami Marlins. Under Barry’s guidance the Marlins’ saw their run per game production improve by half a run over the 2015 season. However, for reasons unknown to me, the Marlins let Bonds go at the end of the season.

On top of being arguably the greatest hitter that ever lived, in his younger years Barry was a Gold Glove outfielder as well as an elite base runner. Due to that, it is not hard to imagine him being a good outfield and base running coach for the Pirates. Plus, even though he would not be the hitting coach, having him available to work with young left-handed hitters such as Josh Bell and Austin Meadows couldn’t hurt.

As I said above, this is a total pipe dream on my part. I would be less surprised if I wake up tomorrow with 300,000 dollars in my bank account than I would be if Barry Bonds joined the Pittsburgh Pirates’ coaching staff. However, he is someone who makes a lot of sense.