The Diamondbacks are beginning the interview process to find their next manager, and broadcaster and former big leaguer Alex Cora will talk to the team this week about the position, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports. Cora has never managed or coached at any level in the majors or minors, though he received consideration for several recent managerial openings last offseason. Cora interviewed with the Padres, Marlins and Nationals, and was also linked to the Mariners’ job in rumors.
The 41-year-old Cora gained a strong reputation as a teammate and student of the game during his 14-year playing career from 1998-2011. Two of the six teams Cora played for during his career, Heyman notes, connect him with D’Backs GM Mike Hazen. Cora played for the Indians and Red Sox from 2005-08, when Hazen was in Cleveland’s front office before joining the Red Sox in 2006.
In his post-playing career, Cora has worked as a radio and TV analyst for ESPN and ESPN Deportes since 2013, and also served as the general manager of Criollos de Caguas, his hometown team, in the Puerto Rican Baseball League. Cora will be the GM for Puerto Rico’s team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Cora is the first known candidate for the D’Backs job, as Hazen has indicated that he would like to talk to roughly 5-7 candidates before making a hire. Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo has been heavily rumored as the favorite to be Arizona’s next skipper, with Heyman noting earlier today that “it would be an upset” if anyone but Lovullo was hired.
lol I commented about Alex Cora becoming a manager in the Joey Cora article a few weeks back.
Cora will make a good manager….someday. The D-Backs need someone with at least a little experience, though.
I agree with gomer. I’m tired of the D-Backs hiring the guy with little to no experience. I’m not saying I want someone with constant failing record but c’mon.