The Rockies will interview Marlins bench coach Tim Wallach for the team’s open managerial job, according to reports from Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (Twitter links) and MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro (via Twitter). Miami has already granted permission for the sides to speak.
Wallach, 59, has long been the right-hand man of Marlins’ skipper Don Mattingly, dating back to when both led the Dodgers’ dugout. He served as the third base coach and then bench coach in Los Angeles before following Mattingly to Miami. Long before that, Wallach enjoyed a productive, 17-year MLB career as a corner infielder — most notably with the Expos.
Last we checked in on the Rockies’ managerial search, the team was continuing to expand its list of potential candidates. A wide variety of names have been mentioned, many with experience leading a dugout — or, if not, then plenty of time spent in senior coaching positions. GM Jeff Bridich is looking to hire a skipper for the first time after the team parted ways with Walt Weiss (who was hired by predecessor Dan O’Dowd) over the winter.
As things stand, the Rockies are competing only with the division-rival Diamondbacks on the managerial market. All other major league teams appear to be content with their current options.
Miami is already looking to add a third base coach after declining to renew the contract of Lenny Harris this offseason. Former Marlins and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has been in talks with the Fish about that post for several weeks, and Frisaro reports that he’s now “a clear front-runner” to take the job.
Wallach is ready to make the jump to manager. Always liked Wallach.
Beyond ready. Can’t believe dude’s almost 60.
It’s just a #, he should have been the choice a few years back and will fall into the top 5 mgrs. in the game
Well let’s hope he manages better than he coached 3rd base…
Really? he was solid @ 3rd, has been even better as a bench coach, and probably should have been the mgr. In LA, ahead of Donnie baseball
Not sure what games you watched, but he sent runners home many times right into the ball and glove of a standing catcher.
Ron Gardenhire is probably one of the top, if not the top available manager out there. Most of this new GM’s want someone in the dugout that follows a script written by the front office.
Gardenhire was great in his day, but the game has passed him by. No one wants an old school manager anymore.
Everyone thought that about Terry Francona 5 years ago.
So it looks like Bud Black will get spurned yet again
As a long time Montrealer, I’d love to see Tim get his chance. A quiet, unassuming star of the Expos and a class act.