Jeff Banister one of 3 finalists for Rangers manager job

Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister is one of three finalists for the Rangers' open managerial position, along with interim Rangers manager Tim Bogar and Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash. The Rangers previously considered a number of other candidates, including Alex Cora, Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo, White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing, and internal candidates Mike Maddux and Steve Buechele.

Bogar, who got good results while managing the Rangers after Ron Washington's abrupt departure this season, could still be the favorite here. Anyway, Banister's departure likely wouldn't lead to fundamental changes for the Pirates, even though it would sting a bit. Still, that Banister has come so far is likely an indication that the Rangers appreciate not only Banister himself, but what the Pirates' field staff has been doing generally. Losing people sometimes is an unfortunate byproduct of having a system that works. Just ask the Rays, who just lost Andrew Friedman to the Dodgers.