MLB: Pirates Rumors: Banister more than a “courtesy candidate”

Pena not a candidate; Pirates waiting to talk to Hurdle?

There have been several leaks throughout the Pirates organization of late that bench coach Jeff Banister is a serious candidate for the Pirates managerial position and it is believed that Banister has strong support from Pirates President Frank Coonelly.

According to John Perrotto via twitter, Bannister is not just a courtesy candidate and the buzz in San Francisco at the World Series from league observers is that Bannister is considered the favorite for the job.

The other candidates in the mix include Bo Porter and Carlos Tosca. Of the three, Banister is considered the least qualified for the job and due to his close ties with the likes of Coonelly, he would be looked at as another “yes man” on the cheap.

Elsewhere on the rumor mill, the Pirates have not asked for permission to speak with Phillies pitching coach Pete Mackanin and Yankees bench coach Tony Pena is not on the Pirates radar.

According to Perrotto, one unconfirmed rumor making the rounds in San Francisco is that the Pirates want to interview Texas Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle. Hurdle was believed to be on the Pirates radar before the playoffs began.