The Pirates will "undergo another significant change this offseason," as team President Frank Coonelly is "parting ways" with the organization, according to Jason Mackey of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. The Pirates in a statement this morning said that the parting was "mutual," with both sides "believing new leadership was required." The team will "announce a replacement Monday." Pirates Owner Bob Nutting and Coonelly "informed the entire Pirates staff of the move" this morning. Coonelly "talked last season about needing to get more people at PNC Park." But a source said that the move "wasn't solely about attendance." It was the "entire organization's performance, including baseball, and everyone feeling a new voice would serve to benefit the Pirates." Coonelly's successor will "inherit an ongoing managerial search, one that has moved into a second round of interviews." Having to "hire people both above and below" Exec VP & GM Neal Huntington "certainly creates an interesting situation, especially since Huntington's contract expires in two years" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/23). In Pittsburgh, Bill Hartlep notes the Pirates on July 7 were 2 1/2 games out of first place in the NL Central, but they "endured a 4-24 stretch after the All-Star break, leading to the firing of manager Clint Hurdle." Coonelly joined the Pirates prior to the '07 season. One of his first duties was hiring Huntington to replace former GM Dave Littlefield (TRIBLIVE.com, 10/23).
