Notes: Ben In; Vera Passes On; Kyle & Jacob Go; Erik Ouch; Names in the News

This week's stuff:

• Ben Cherington is the new GM. Candidates Cherington and Matt Arnold both interviewed this week; apparently BC's experience and keen eye for developing players won the day. He'll be officially announced at a presser tomorrow.

Ben Cherington - photo Associated Press

• Two guys who were close to but didn't win the brass ring: Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reported that Kevan Graves was prepping for a second round. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB. com tweeted that "Astros assistant GM Pete Putila is the mystery third candidate for the Pirates GM job, according to a source. He interviewed in Pittsburgh after the World Series and also interviewed for the Giants GM job..." so there's a name we missed. He's a local guy to boot, having attended Carmichaels HS in Greene County and WVU. 
• The first to fall in the FO redo was ass't GM Kyle Stark, who had held his position since 2007 and was one of NH's main men. Next, reportedly but not confirmed, was the Pirates farm director Larry Broadway, who had been with the club since 2009.
• The GM meetings were held this week, and while deals rarely take place at this event, the groundwork for the December Winter Meetings moves are often laid during this get together. The Pirates and Giants were the only two teams not repped at the event.
• IF Erik Gonzalez suffered a broken foot from a foul ball while playing in the Dominican Winter League and will miss a couple or three months. Sheesh, it never does end.
• Paul Sporer of Rotographs/Fangraphs has a look at the 2020 Pirates risers, fallers, etc.
• Will Leitch of MLB.com is looking for each team's future MVP candidate. For the Bucs, he chose 3B K'Bryan Hayes, who hasn't played a MLB game yet. In another piece, he selected each club's most tradable asset. No surprise here - he picked Starling Marte for Pittsburgh.
• Jacob Cruz, the Bucs ass't hitting coach, has reportedly joined the Brew Crew in the same capacity. That's no doubt an unintended consequence of the manager hunt dragging on.
• Omar Moreno, who filled in at 1B coach for the big team when needed and was otherwise a roving minor league instructor, was fired by Larry Broadway. The next day, he was rehired by Travis Williams. Still think the FO doesn't need a deep cleaning?

Clint: trading in his jersey for a suit? - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

• The Padres interviewed Clint Hurdle to become their hitting coach and reportedly offered him a two-year deal. Instead, he decided to retire from baseball, per Kevin Acee of the San-Diego Union Tribune. Actually, Hurdle wants more home time, and is thought to be looking to transition into a front office rather than field position.
• Joe Myers of  Lede News supports Dave Parker's HoF bid, but wonders if the numbers add up...?
• RHP Cody Ponce, 25, was the return for Jordan Lyles from the Brewers. Tossing for three minor league teams in 2019, mostly in AA, he went 2-6-2/4.14 w/70K in 60 IP, starting in 10 of his 34 outings. He was the lone Pirates rep on the USA Team and looked sharper, giving up three runs in 15-1/3 IP (1.76 ERA).
• Vera Clemente, 78, passed away on Saturday after being hospitalized at the start of the month. Although reunited with Roberto, she'll be missed here; the Clemente family has been a familiar part of Pittsburgh forever, it seems.