A name familiar to Pittsburgh Pirates fans resurfaced this week amid the Houston Astros' search for a new hitting coach.
Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that the Astros have talked to Andy Haines, who was fired after serving as the Pirates' hitting coach for three seasons from 2022-24, about the position. Haines has a connection to Astros manager Joe Espada, as the two overlapped in the Miami Marlins' system.
To Pirates fans, the idea of Haines joining the Astros staff is absolutely unfathomable – bordering on comedic – for more than a few reasons.