Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu is set to interview for both the Rockies’ and Diamondbacks’ managerial positions, reports FanRag’s Jon Heyman.
The 53-year-old Wakamatsu has previous experience as a major league skipper, having served in that role with the Mariners from 2009-10. Seattle went 85-77 under Wakamatsu in his first year at the helm, but the club fired him in August 2010 after spiraling to a 42-70 mark. Wakamatsu then worked for both the Blue Jays and Yankees before joining Royals manager Ned Yost’s staff in 2014.
Wakamatsu is the latest of several names connected to Colorado’s job, which the club has been looking to fill since parting with Walt Weiss earlier this month. Heyman reported Saturday that Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez are likely to interview with the Rockies after the World Series. The team also has a meeting planned with Marlins bench coach Tim Wallach, and former Padres manager Bud Black, ex-Astros skipper Brad Mills and Rockies Triple-A manager Glenallen Hill are on the radar.
Arizona, meanwhile, has already booked an interview for the upcoming week with broadcaster and former major leaguer Alex Cora. He and Wakamatsu could end up in a five- to seven-candidate race as new general manager Mike Hazen searches for a successor to Chip Hale. Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo, whom Hazen knows from his time as Boston’s assistant GM, is the favorite to land the job.
Do any front offices actually WATCH the playoffs and World Series? Tell me where the tactical genius is in that group?………Time’s up….
Fave Martinez will become a great manager if given the chance. Player, tutored by Maddon.