John Farrell's candidacy for the Pirates' manager's job seems to be picking up some momentum.

And it could be that, if Farrell's the man, he could have a hand in hiring the Pirates' next scouting director, too.

Farrell, Boston's first-year pitching coach, garnered an endorsement from the Red Sox's manager, Terry Francona, during the American League Championship Series.

"Anytime jobs open up -- and justifiably so -- you're going to hear his name," Francona told the Providence Journal. "He's a star. I don't think that's a surprise. His name is going to get linked because he's too good."

Farrell's name is nearly certain to be on new Pirates general manager Neal Huntington's interview list. He was Cleveland's minor-league director for five years before joining the Red Sox last winter. Huntington was Cleveland's minor-league director for three years immediately preceding Farrell. Huntington then became assistant general manager in 2002.

Farrell has a reputation as a shrewd talent evaluator, a characteristic that would look good on his resume relative to the Pirates.

While Francona seems to consider Farrell irreplaceable, he would wish Farrell well if -- or when -- the Pirates interview him.

"I don't know how we would replace him," Francona said, "but we're too close for me not to want to have the best for any of these guys. Whatever they ultimately desire, I'll be thrilled with."

Farrell has a direct contact with a man who is pursuing the Pirates' vacant scouting director's position.

Dave Holliday, from Uniontown, is a special assignment scout for the National League champion Colorado Rockies. Dave Holliday's brother, Tom, is the father of Colorado outfielder Matt Holliday, a strong candidate to win the National League Most Valuable Player award.

Dave Holliday was instrumental in the scouting and signing of such Rockies notables as shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- who could be the National League Rookie of the Year -- third baseman Garrett Atkins and right fielder Brad Hawpe.

Dave Holliday formerly was an assistant baseball coach at Oklahoma State when Farrell also was an Oklahoma State assistant baseball coach.

Huntington could interview either Farrell or Holliday today because there is no rule in baseball that prevents one team from seeking permission from another club to interview an employee of that club, even if that club is still in the playoffs. There also is no rule against one club interviewing an employee of another club while that club is still in the postseason.

Huntington was asked about that when Jim Tracy was fired as the Pirates' manager Oct. 5. While Huntington acknowledged he could interview candidates with playoff teams, he indicated he likely would not in the short run.

"I think ethically I struggle with that," Huntington said. "An individual's involved in a playoff run, it's probably one of the most exciting times of their lives, and I struggle with trying to distract them. I struggle with pulling them out of that environment. I struggle with that step in the process. That said, we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it -- if we get pushed into a time frame from one candidate to another."

If Cleveland, whose third base coach Joel Skinner also is considered a candidate for the Pirates' manager's job, beats Boston tonight and wins the American League championship, there would be four-day break before the start of the World Series.

Perhaps that "time frame" is near.