Curt Young Coming Back To Oakland

Feeling young again? You should be. According to MLB.com, the Oakland Athletics are bringing back former pitching coach Curt Young for the 2012 season. Young, who spent this past season with the Boston Red Sox as the team’s pitching coach, returns to Oakland for what will be his 24th year with the organization.

The A’s, now under the tutelage of Bob Melvin, were looking at Melvin’s former friend Bob Pryce to fill the team’s need for a pitching coach. Oakland, however, did not have a chance to speak with Pryce, who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds.

Oakland believes, however, that Young is a good fit as the team’s pitching coach. He’s had a great amount of success in that position before, leading the A’s pitching staff to 3.47 team ERA in 2010. This season, the A’s posted a 3.71 ERA under the guidance of clubhouse favorite Ron Romanick.

Romanick, while guiding the A’s pitching staff to a respectable season, was cut loose by the organization this offseason. Young will step in for Romanick, and the A’s are hopeful that Young will pick up right where he left off. Young is familiar with the organization, players, and system, so the transition from the drama filled Boston clubhouse to the much quieter Coliseum should be an easy one.

According to the A’s official team site, the contract Young has signed is a one-year deal. With Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, and a few others returning next season, Young should have all the players he needs to have a positive impact on the team next year.

What are your thoughts? Are you excited to see Young make his way back to Oakland, or are you a little sad to see Romanick leave after just a one-year stint as the A’s pitching coach? Sound off below!