Huntington, Hurdle receive contract extensions from Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday that General Manager Neal Huntington and Manager Clint Hurdle have received three-year contract extensions, with club options for the 2018 season.

Pirates President Frank Coonelly said, "We are extremely pleased that they will continue to lead this team in Pittsburgh."

Huntington was named senior vice president and general manager in 2007, and has since played a major role in restructuring the organization.

Hurdle was named manager of the Pirates in 2010. The team's success in the 2013 season led to him being named Manager-of-the-Year by The Sporting News and the N.L. Manager-of-the-Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Excitement surrounding baseball was brought back to Pittsburgh last season when the Pirates won 94 regular season games and advanced to the post season for the first time since 1992.

"Neal and Clint have led a team of baseball professionals, in the front office and on the field, that has transformed the Pittsburgh Pirates into a club that again must be reckoned with in the National League," said Coonelly.

The Pirates farm system has also seen improvement, receiving a No. 1 ranking by Baseball America entering the 2014 season.

WPXI