Monday, 18 February 2013 13:49

Written by Bill Brink

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates plan to extend manager Clint Hurdle’s contract through 2014 with a club option for ’15, a baseball source said Monday.

Hurdle is in the final year of a three-year contract this season. He had a club option for 2014.

Though not speaking directly about the extension, Hurdle said he and the Pirates had “early conversations.”

“I’m not too far ahead of myself right now,” he said. “I’m humbled that we’re having the conversation.”

The deal is expected to be announced later this week. Pirates chairman Bob Nutting will be in Bradenton Wednesday for an event celebrating improvements at McKechnie Field, the team’s spring training and Class A stadium.

The Pirates hired Hurdle, 55, in November 2010. The Pirates have improved by 22 wins in the past two seasons, but have also tumbled from contention in the second half of each of the past two seasons.