Ben Cherington Gives Update On Pittsburgh Pirates Coaching Staff

As part of his media session at the MLB Winter Meetings on Wednesday, Pittsburgh Pirates GM Ben Cherington gave a few updates on the Pirate coaching staff

During the MLB Winter Meetings each team’s general manager meets with the media on a daily basis. At Wednesday’s meeting with the media Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington gave some updates on the Pirate coaching staff and front office.

Cherington made his biggest, and most important, hire for the Pirate coaching staff when Derek Shelton was hired as the team’s manager on November 27th. A few days late, another important hire was made when rising star Steve Sanders was hired as assistant general manager.

The hiring spree continued last week when Pittsburgh native and former Pirate utility man Don Kelly was hired as Shelton’s bench coach. That same day it was announce that third base coach Joey Cora, hitting coach Rick Eckstein, and assistant pitching coach Justin Meccage would all remain on Shelton’s staff.

On Wednesday, Cherington addressed the team’s open pitching coach position. Cherington told the media that they have interviewed multiple candidates for the team’s open pitching coach position this week, and that they plan to hire a pitching coach before making any other staff moves. He has also told reporters that Meccage is in the running to become the full time pitching coach.

Earlier in the offseason the Pirates lost assistant hitting coach Jacob Cruz to the Milwaukee Brewers. Cherington told reporters on Wednesday that Eckstein will have the opportunity to pick who he would like as his new assistant hitting coach. Speaking of the Eckstein brothers, Cherington also added that they are working with Rick’s brother, and former World Series MVP, David Eckstein about remaining a member of the Pirate front office. Cherington also mentioned long time Pirate player/coach/front office assistant Jeff Bannister as someone they are working to retain.

Stay tuned here at Rum Bunter for all breaking news pertaining to the Pirates and their coaching staff throughout the rest of the offseason.