Mercifully, the Pirates' 2010 baseball season ends this weekend.

The club entered its four-game series against the Florida Marlins needing at least a split to avoid tying or breaking the 1963 New York Mets road record of 17-64 — the worst ever for a 162-game season.

The fact this team finished a respectable 40-41 at home makes that dismal road record a real puzzle.

The difference between home and road wins in baseball shouldn't be that wide of a margin.

No one expected the youthful Pirates to be contenders. No one should have expected them to fall short of 60 wins, either.

They underachieved despite low expectations. That can't happen with a young team. It sets too dangerous a precedent.

It can't be accepted. So, despite a year remaining on his contract, manager John Russell has to go. His coaching staff should fall victim as well.

Here's what a new on-field management team has to look at in 2011:

Starting pitching: Nine pitchers started at least eight games. Two of them, Ross Ohlendorf and James McDonald, were consistent enough to be part of the rotation early next year.Mainstays Paul Maholm and Zach Duke posted earned run averages above 5.00. Both are scheduled to make a lot of money next year. Neither may be here.Short of signing a free agent or making a trade, the Pirates have Jeff Karstens, Brian Burres, Charlie Morton, Daniel McCutchen and Brad Lincoln.

Bullpen: Evan Meek (5-4, 2.16 ERA) and Joel Hanrahan 4-1, 3.72 96 Ks in 67X\c innings) are top of the line. Chan Ho Park and Chris Resop have been OK in middle relief.

Catcher: Chris Snyder (14 HR, 46 RBI, .210) is the guy. Ryan Doumit (13-45 .254) could be traded.

First base: If Jeff Clement (7, 12, .201) doesn't find it, Garrett Jones (21, 86, .250) is the guy. If Clement finds it, Jones becomes part of a right-field platoon.

Second base: Neil Walker (12, 65, .298) has earned his keep.

Shortstop: Ronny Cedeno (6, 35, .252) is fine there, as long as he bats eighth.

Third base: Pedro Alvarez (14, 58, .249) put up decent numbers despite striking out 117 times in 334 at-bats. As he figures out the pitching, his numbers go up.

Left field: Jose Tabata (4, 35. .303, 19 stolen bases), no problem.

Center field: Andrew McCutchen (16, 55, .288, 33 SB), no problem.

Right field: Lastings Milledge (4, 34, .277) needs to platoon with somebody, either Jones or John Bowker (5, 20, .206), who showed something in September.Andy LaRoche might stick as a utility infielder, but he's probably gone. The Pirates aren't taking Brandon Moss' minor league MVP award seriously.The team is still a year or two away from being taken seriously itself.