Pirates get permission to interview Joey Cora

The Pirates received permission from the Chicago White Sox to interview Joey Cora for their manager opening, the Chicago Tribune reported today.

The newspaper said Cora is expected to interview with general manager Neal Huntington this week.

Huntington did not immediately return a phone call for comment today.

Cora, 42, has been on Chicago White Sox's coaching staff the past four seasons. He was the third base coach in 2004-06 and this season moved up to bench coach.

Last year, Cora interviewed for the manager's job with the Washington Nationals.

Cora was a manager for three seasons in the minors. He guided Class A Savannah (Montreal Expos) in 2003 and rookie level Kingsport (New York Mets) in 2001-02. He also managed in the Venezuelan Winter League in 2005.

Other candidates include Class AAA Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett, Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell and John Russell, who manages Philadelphia's Class AAA Lehigh Valley team.

Colorado bench coach Jamie Quirk has inquired about the opening. However, as of today, the Pirates had not contacted the Rockies for permission to interview Quirk.