Jeff Banister a candidate for Rangers job

Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister interviewed twice for the Astros managerial job that went to A.J. Hinch, and now the Rangers have announced that he's a candidate for their open manager position as well.

The Rangers have eight candidates that we know of (Banister, former Pirates third baseman Steve Buechele, Tim Bogar, Mike Maddux, Torey Lovullo, Joe McEwing, Alex Cora and Kevin Cash), so Banister's chances of winning the job might not be great at this point. It's still a positive sign to see Banister on these lists, however. One article today even implied that one factor in Banister's favor might be his connection to Clint Hurdle. The word appears to be getting around that the Pirates' coaching is effective (whatever misgivings we sometimes have about Hurdle's occasional tactical shortcomings). If the Pirates continue winning, it's likely Banister will become a manager eventually, and it's also possible Ray Searage could find more lucrative work elsewhere.