Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reported today that Clint Hurdle is among the leading candidates for the New York Mets’ manager position, and will receive a second interview. Hurdle joins Terry Collins and Bob Melvin as the candidates who advanced from the first round. Mets’ third base coach Chip Hale could also be added to this group, and the club still may interview more candidates this weekend, including St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo.
As I wrote yesterday, Hurdle is holding up the Pirates’ manager search, as it’s easy to assume that he’s the guy the Pirates are waiting on. The Pirates have said they’re down to two candidates, Hurdle and Jeff Banister. Hurdle said he wanted to wait for the Mets’ job, and since the Pirates have yet to make a decision, all signs point to Hurdle as being their guy.
Hurdle will have at least one more interview with the Mets, and the Mets have said they could wait until December 1st to make their final decision, which means the Pirates could be waiting that long as well.
