Latest Rangers coaching shuffle could give Pirates a golden reunion opportunity

Along with fixing the offense, the Pirates have an important secondary task of rebuilding the coaching staff for Don Kelly in his first full season as manager. They have already made a major impact by adding Bill Murphy to the staff as pitching coach, but that is not the only position they need to revamp. They are still in the market for a bench coach and third base coach, preferably with experience.

Mike Rabelo was holding down the duties as the bench coach and third base case as soon as Kelly got promoted, but was let go after the season. It was about time, too; there were plenty of controversial decisions he was at least partially responsible for. Now, the Pirates need to make the right hire to replace him.

Fortunately for the Pirates, a familiar face just hit the market. Tony Beasley decided to step down from the Texas Rangers while holding the third base coach gig. He had been in the Rangers' organization since 2016, including 48 games as the interim manager in 2022.

Former Pirates' coach Tony Beasley is a perfect match for the vacant job at third base coach.

Beasley has spent a long time in the Pirates' organization, including a stint as the third base coach from 2008-2010 under manager John Russell. Before that, he managed the Altoona Curve for five seasons and put together a 372-258 record and was awarded Baseball America's Double-A Manager of the Year in 2004.

In addition to that, he was a minor league infield coordinator in 2007 with Pittsburgh and was responsible for transitioning Neil Walker from catcher to an infielder. He also spent six years playing in the minors for the Pirates, equating to 18 years in the organization.

Pittsburgh has been a huge part of his career in baseball, so maybe he can take the job and make it 19+ with the Pirates. Maybe it could be a favor for Don Kelly, too; Beasley coached Kelly in Double-A. Kelly has shown a lot of respect for the people that got him where he is today. Gene Lamont is a prime example of that, as Kelly got him back into the Pirates dugout this past season.

Beasley would be a great addition to this coaching staff. It's not too crazy to think that he would come here, either. Since free agency opens up in just a few days, it would be smart for the Pirates to figure out their coaching spots before their focus shifts to upgrading the team.