While the rest of the sport has turned much of its attention to roster decisions and other offseason business, the Pirates are still working to nail down their baseball operations leadership. It seems the process of replacing dismissed GM Neal Huntington is now reaching a culmination.
That said, there is a new name in play that hadn’t previously been known to be under consideration. Astros assistant general manager of player development Pete Putila has been involved in the search, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). Previously considered by the Giants in their GM search, Putila currently stands as one of the top lieutenants of Houston GM Jeff Luhnow.
Whether Putila is a strong candidate to take the top ops job isn’t known. It’d certainly be a big step up for an executive that had only recently ascended to an AGM title. It is at least theoretically possible he could be considered for a GM title if the Pittsburgh organization ends up hiring a top-level decisionmaker who functions as a president of baseball ops or chief baseball officer.
Most observers appear to see this as a two-horse race. Former Red Sox GM and current Blue Jays exec Ben Cherington is believed to be holding his second-round sit-down today, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). And it appears Brewers AGM Matt Arnold will do the same tomorrow; Robert Murray had tweeted that Arnold would get another interview.
But that’s hardly certain. Internal candidate Kevan Graves, who is currently serving as interim GM, joins Putila as additional possibilities. Graves was believed to be preparing for his own second interview at some point this week, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic tweeted yesterday. Graves also joined Putila as a candidate for the Giants job that ultimately went to Scott Harris.
Whoever takes the helm will need to get right to work. The Bucs have loads of needs and some very big questions to answer. In particular, the organization will have to gauge trade interest in star center fielder Starling Marte, who figures to be in quite some demand and could be cashed in as part of a retooling effort.
Ruben Amaro Jr. is looking for a job.
He wants back in with Philly
Hear he said he is willing to sell hot dogs or work the parking lot
I think if they are interested in maximizing a trade for Marte or any other players they need to due it before teams that have need for our pieces acquire them elsewhere. Hopefully they have done their due diligence and can make a sound decision on GM this week after the interviews and get the ball rolling.
I hear that Clint Hurdle is around.
I think that he has retired from baseball, completely. Lol
He retired from managing and coaching, but said he would be willing to take a front office job.
“Astros assistant general manager of player development Pete Putila”
How is he at swinging a bat against a trashcan?
*insert clepto comment*
“weak. VERY weak comment”
{DOWN VOTE}
I like Ben Cherington for this role. He helped build and maintain a great farm system for the Red Sox. He was a part of winning a World Series in 2013. Still fairly young and has probably grown from last stint and ready for another shot.
The problem I have with Ben Cherington is most of his success came from the moves made by Theo Epstein before he left for the Cubs. His free agent track record is not all that great either. He signed Pablo Sandoval to that disastrous contact that Boston was still paying for this year. He also signed Rusney Castillo who the Sox are paying millions to play in the minor leagues. I just don’t think any of these names can get it done but one of them will probably be the next hire. Go Buc’s!!! ahahhaha
And Hanley
And many more i’m sure. Those where just a few off the top of my head.
Except as discussed in.a thread a couple of days ago Cherington will not have any money to sign free agents so that will negate his worst point.
I have it on the BEST authority the Pirates will have a General Manager by July 31, next year’s trading deadline, and a Field Manager in time for their last spring training game.
Bob,you are a bad man.A very,very bad man.
Maybe they will bring Don Cherry in now that he is available.
You people had better be careful what you write.