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Bucs have a big Hurdle to clear

I'm often perplexed by the moves made by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I didn't like the hiring of John Russell a couple of seasons ago. It didn't make sense to me for an organization to hire a manager that wasn't good enough to stay on the coaching staff.

With the slow-as-molasses approach to hiring a new manager, it appears Clint Hurdle is the front-runner.

My guess is the Bucs wait until there are no other managerial vacancies. They can offer Hurdle a take-it or leave-it deal and get a manager on the cheap. In other words, they can get someone no one else wants.

Another thing I find troubling: Hurdle makes Jim Tracy look like a genius. Hurdle was fired from the Rockies and Tracy took an underachieving team and made it a winner.

Tracy wasn't good enough for the Pirates. Why should we expect Clint Hurdle to be an improvement?

Hopefully, Hurdle isn't hired.
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