The acquisition of a new club manager promises to be the first order of business on the schedule of new Pirates GM Ben Cherington, but it appears as if the Pittsburgh exec may be given a bit of a running start from an HR perspective. Cherington is apparently happy with the work done by Pittsburgh staffers in search of a manager to this point and may simply re-interview several of the club’s existing candidates, according to a tweet from Jon Heyman of MLB Network (link).
The Pirates reportedly interviewed Twins bench coach Derek Shelton, Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp, Dodgers first base coach George Lombard, Athletics bench coach Ryan Christenson, and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro for the job earlier in the offseason before their search was “paused” with the ouster of former GM Neal Huntington. Interestingly, Heyman also indicated that Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister, former Pirates third base coach Joey Cora, and Athletics quality control coach Mark Kotsay also interviewed with the club this offseason. Cora’s name is a new entry into public knowledge of the proceedings; Bannister and Kotsay were know to be under some consideration, but it wasn’t clear whether they had interviewed.
Besides being a former player and the older brother to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, the 54-year-old Cora carries previous experience as the manager of Pittsburgh’s Double-A affiliate in 2016. He has served as the club’s major league third base coach and infield coach since being hired in advance of the 2017 season. Bannister would also represent something of a familiar face to Pittsburgh fans, as the former Rangers manager has recently served the club in both bench coach and special advisor capacities.
If familiarity is key to Cherington’s hiring process, however, it may appear that Kotsay and Shelton would have something of an advantage. Kotsay spent time as a player with the Red Sox when Cherington was a Boston exec from 2008 to 2009, while Shelton was a coach with Toronto in 2017 while Cherington was a Jays VP. Further helping matters for Kotsay and Shelton may be Heyman’s indication that both were among those to interview “very well” for Pittsburgh’s managerial opening earlier this offseason (link).
Regardless of which direction the club goes with regard to their managerial search, it appears that Cherington will be doing so without the aid of Kyle Stark, who was relieved of his post as assistant GM today. The club’s announcement of Stark’s exit continues a general house cleaning that has followed a rather bizarre 69-93 campaign in the Steel City. Stark, who had served as the club’s assistant GM since 2007, will join Huntington, former team president Frank Coonelly, and former manager Clint Hurdle as a recent departee of the Pittsburgh organization.
I hope Nutting gives Cherington the money to build up the analytics department. They need to draft better and it all starts with that…..
Jorge… I’m sorry to bring this out in the open without your permission, but don’t you think it is time to tell the MLBTR community about our intimate relationship? We both converse with them every single day. They have a right to know. Can we please stop pretending that we are not a couple? I would do anything for you and I’m sure the other people in this community would do the same if they all finally knew that we are together. They are good people. They understand. It’s not like your in-laws who are my family.
Go back in the closet you two! Thanks!
F You
What is your problem, Stanley? You were probably saying that literally because you thought you had a chance since Jorge and I just came out as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Wishful thinking Stanley. I am with Jorge. You could never be half the gender neutral person he/she is.
Stanley… I wish I could enlighten you. We are LGBTQ+. You are LGBTQ-. There is a difference. You’re not in our league. Leave us alone and stop masking your envy as judgement.
LMFAO !!! He’s not ready to come out yet !
Momma. I’m here. Approach.. The pier.
Beautiful.
I am now even more LGBTQ+ than I have ever been.
On behalf of the straight men of the world, we stand beside you and Jorge.
Feels good to be out in the open now, doesn’t it, Jorge? It’s 2019. They accept us! We don’t have to hide anymore! I will call the adoption agency in the morning. Good thing we already set up the surrogate just in case the agency doesn’t approve of our lifestyle. They have to learn to stop judging. That is their problem. Did you buy that ring I wanted yet? You know… The one with 2 interlocking hearts and the engravement of you and I holding hands. I’m so excited. Nothing feels as good or free as being open and honest.
Is this one of those “jokes” where the joke is that the joke is not meant to be funny, but intentionally unfunny in the hopes of somehow being funny?
It’s not funny but I’m guessing half of the country thinks it is.
Half the country = zero likes apparently.
The joke literally appears to be “lol gay folk”. As best I can tell.
I’m a Pirates fan. I liked the update. I like the fact that the Pirates are clearing house and making massive changes in the front office.
But honestly . . .
This comment thread has blown my mind.
These guys are crazy if they don’t at least consider Jason Kendall.
I think they’re crazier if they do…
See comment below. No need for me to respond twice.
Why would standup guy and Jorge want kendall? (Grabs popcorn waiting for what happens next)
Kendall is hated by all those around him.
Quite the opposite actually. Kendall was well regarding as one of the best game callers among some high caliber pitching. If you care to do some due diligence, simply look into the comments made by Sabathia, Hudson, Zito, Greinke, etc. Further, as part of KC’s front office, he’s been groomed in analytics by Moore & team – many of which have been plucked (or attempted so) by other orgs looking to rebuild their development programs post WS. It’s a foremost guarantee that he’d have the back of everyone in the clubhouse – something that the Pirates organization desperately needs. Spoken in fact, my analysis wins. Thanks.
As I remember, Kendall and Giles turned out to be clubhouse cancers, perhaps intentionally so to get out of baseball Siberia. Sorry. His attitude at the end of his time here shouldn’t be forgotten
Doesn’t really matter who’s manager during a rebuild tbh.
I think Joey Cora would make a great manager.
Free Josh Bell!
Not firing Kyle Stark is the best argument for firing Huntingdon.
John Farrell?
I hope to bring him in as pitching coach.
Stupid immature people ruin virtually every conversation on this site. It’s almost impossible to find a smart conversation about baseball.
Agree.
Pirates had the right manager in Hurdle
It’s hard to argue with his results the past three years.
Wait. No it’s not.
I actually like Clint Hurdle as a human being. Yeah, he did some unorthodox things but given the hopelessness of the last few years, handed to him by Nutting, you can hardly blame him
I’m not what any manager could do with this team over a protracted period. He had to go thanks to being stale and part of the old regime but he was a good, positive dude
Oh, I have nothing against the guy personally. I agree, he seems like a good guy. Very frustrating to watch his decision making over the past few years though.
Like to see Walt Weiss get an interview. Atlanta bench coach and very well schooled .
RIP Vera Clemente.
Hey MLB, retire 21.