Former Pirate Dale Sveum has been informed by Pirates GM Neal Huntington that he is no longer being considered for the Pirates managerial position.
Sveum told a Milwaukee radio station today that he will return as the Brewers hitting coach in 2011, agreeing to a two year deal with the club.
The Pirates began the process late this week of informing candidates that they are no longer in the mix.
With Sveum out of the picture, former Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Bo Porter, Atlanta Braves bench coach Carlos Tosca and Pirates employee Jeff Banister are the only three candidates still in the mix.
Pittsburgh native Ken Macha and Royal bench coach John Gibbons are also no longer in the mix for the job. Macha was never a serious contender for the job.
Sveum, who managed the Brewers in the 2008 National League Championship Series after Ned Yost was fired with 12 games left in the regular season, was seen as an intriguing candidate.
The fear though among fans and some league observers is that Jeff Banister will get the job who would be nothing more than a sentimental choice and a “yes man” for ownership. Banister is believed to be at the top of Frank Coonelly’s wishlist.
Banister has spent 25 years in the organization as a player (getting one lone major-league plate appearance), major-league coach, minor-league manager and minor-league field coordinator.
He was last a skipper on a regular basis in 1998 with Class AA Carolina.
Yankees bench coach Tony Pena is a name to keep an eye on with the Yankees eliminated. Pena is said to have strong interest in the job but it remains to be seen if that interest is mutual. Indications are Pena’s not at the top of the Pirates wishlist.
The Toronto Blue Jays filled their vacant managerial position with the hiring of Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell this weekend. Farrell declined to interview with the Pirates in 2007 and had no interest in the job again this year.
Bo Porter who remains in the mix for the Pirates job is reportedly a top candidate for the Marlins managerial job.