Bernazard, LaCava interview for vacant position

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

Mets assistant general manager Tony Bernazard and Blue Jays director of player personnel Tony LaCava have interviewed for the open Pirates GM job, SI.com has learned.

Bernazard is GM Omar Minaya's right-hand man and a key player in the Mets' success over the past couple seasons. A major-league second baseman from 1979 to '91, Bernazard worked for years for the players' union before joining Minaya in New York.

The Mets have made several helpful trades in recent seasons, including a deal with Pittsburgh, in which the Mets acquired young left-hander Oliver Perez.

LaCava, a resident of Oakmont, outside Pittsburgh, has been considered a rising star. He previously turned down chances to interview for the Red Sox and Devil Rays GM jobs.

New Pirates CEO Frank Coonelly, who was only introduced to the media on Thursday, has already contacted several candidates to replace Dave Littlefield as GM.

However, two potential candidates, Chris Antonetti of the Indians and Rick Hahn of the White Sox, declined the chance to be interviewed for the position. Both Antonetti and Hahn are highly regarded, and Antonetti had been considered a frontrunner. Antonetti, as assistant GM to Mark Shapiro in Cleveland, previously turned down a chance to be interviewed for the Red Sox job.

Ruben Amaro Jr., a Phillies assistant GM, and Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers' scouting director, are other potential candidates.