The Rockies are officially looking to fill their open managerial position after parting ways with skipper Walt Weiss. While the organization is holding its cards close to the vest, here’s the latest reporting on that effort:
- Former Brewers skipper Ron Roenicke is also interested in the position, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Since losing his post with Milwaukee, Roenicke has served as the third base coach for the Dodgers and then the Angels.
Earlier Updates
- Colorado will leave a few staff positions open for a new dugout head after announcing several changes to the club’s coaching staff yesterday (via MLB.com’s Thomas Harding). Pitching coach Steve Foster, pen coach Darren Holmes, and third base coach Stu Cole will return. But the team will be hiring elsewhere after cutting ties with bench coach Tom Runnells, hitting coach Blake Doyle, catching and defensive positioning coach Rene Lachemann, and baserunning, outfield, and first base coach Eric Young.
- Former Padres manager Bud Black says he’s interested in Colorado’s job after missing out on the Braves’ opening, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Black, who has long been considered one of the top managerial free agents and nearly joined the Nationals last year, has served most recently as an adviser in the Angels’ front office. It’s not yet clear whether Black is seen as an option from within the Rockies’ organization, but he has drawn at least some consideration in virtually every managerial search since he left San Diego.
- Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo has long been talked about as a possible managerial candidate, and he once again fits that profile with John Farrell set to remain in command of the team in 2017. As of yet, no rival organizations have asked Boston for permission to speak with Lovullo, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. But it seems reasonable to expect at least one team to take a look. The Rockies may not yet have sought to chat with Lovullo, but Bradford cites sources who indicate that the club has “been asking around about” him. (The Diamondbacks, too, are in need of a skipper but must first sort out its front office.)
- We’ve already heard a few hints of other possibilities. GM Jeff Bridich has acknowledged that Triple-A skipper Glenallen Hill is under consideration. The long-time big leaguer is held in high regard by the Colorado organization, per Bridich, who’ll be hiring his first manager after inheriting Weiss when he was promoted. Braves first base coach Eddie Perez has also drawn interest from the Rox, per a report.
I would hate to be the one who advertises for this position.
Anyone willing to take it on the chin for a few years, managing a team in an insanely ridiculous offensive park, so that after those few years we can blame you and fire you for the team’s failures in spite of our poor upper administration, who continues to make no moves to put you in any kind of successful position possible?
Sign up here.
Wally Backman
I’ll take the pay raise
That’s ridiculous. The right manager can easily come into CO. and get the job done. They have promising arms who will continue to develop and decrease the amount of offensive production other teams bring into town.
Some baseball fans are so negative. Why would any of us not want to manage the Rockies, D’Backs, etc.? Take it on the chin? Hardly. VF, your optimism in baseball is needed by a lot of fans.
The Rockies have yet to hire a former pitcher or pitching coach as their manager and doing so could get them over their biggest obstacle: lack of quality, consistent pitching.
Pitching coach wont change physics and how a ball acts in high altitude the Rockies best teams were built around offense, they need to go all in on offense and bullpen so they can have a better chance of winning 10 to 9 type scoring games at home.
I say you go with Hill and take a “bombs away” strategy.
Ron Gardenhire has over 1,000 wins and has taken young quality players to the next level. Perfect fit for Rockies.
Gardenhire is a real good manager. I agree
Agreed, big fan of Gardenhire. If only the Sox moved on from Farrell and hired Gardenhire – great fit.
I was pushing for the white sox to hire gardy..don’t understand why he doesn’t have a job.
I wonder if Jason Giambi could be a sleeper in this job?
They can have Mike Matheny