Don't get me wrong, I do like MR, really nice guy, but why not bring in some young blood into the team?
Get a class rookie or SuperStock 1000 rider & get them to learn the machine & the team that way.

Great to have MR back but I feel it's at the expense of a younger rider.

Gearlink Kawasaki have had a lot of success in SS600 but for some reason they've never clicked in SBK. It's not clear how much of that is the riders just not making the transition (eg Ben Wilson) and how much is the team not being able to get the best out of the bike. If they can give Rutter a few races and grab some of his knowledge and experience then great. But I'm with you that it should be to get the team up to speed so they can bring on somebody new. Look at it as the start of a 3 year plan rather than a solution to an empty seat for this year.

If not Rutter then who else? With the 2nd race of the season coming up who's actually available?

Hopkins is looking for a ride, but to be fair, he's more Rutters age then a "young, up & coming" rider.