Pirates take shots at coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach Justin Meccage after finishing last

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates slowed down on Wednesday, three days after the Pirates finished last in the NL Central, taking hits to coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach Justin Meccage.

Pittsburgh’s 76-86 record included a 21-34 mark at the trade deadline that took the Pirates out of the playoff race. Many factors contributed to the free fall, most notably an offense that showed no real signs of progress during Haines’ three seasons with the club.

The Pirates finished dead last in the major leagues in batting average, runs, home runs and on-base percentage in 2024, as they did the previous two years when Haines led the hitting program.

The bullpen that was supposed to be a force coming out of spring training in March instead exploded. Two-time All-Star closer David Bednar lost his job at one point, and setup man Colin Holderman endured a difficult August in which he recorded three losses. Pittsburgh has missed 29 save opportunities this season, trailing only the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox, who both have 121 losses.