Eight teams were looking for new skippers in October, and loads of potential candidates have been either rumored or directly connected to these job openings. We’ll do our best to keep things straight in this post….
Angels
Hired
- Joe Maddon: former Cubs/Rays manager, former Angels bench coach/interim manager
Also Interviewed
- John Farrell: former Red Sox/Blue Jays manager
- Buck Showalter: former Orioles, Yankees, Rangers and Diamondbacks manager
- Johnny Washington: Padres hitting coach
Reportedly Received Consideration
- Joe Espada: Astros bench coach
- Joe Girardi: Hired by Phillies
- Eric Chavez: Angels special assistant
Cubs
Hired
- David Ross: former Cubs/Red Sox catcher, current ESPN analyst
Also Interviewed
- Joe Espada: Astros bench coach
- Joe Girardi: Hired by Phillies
- Gabe Kapler: former Phillies manager, former Dodgers director of player development
- Mark Loretta: Cubs bench coach
- Will Venable: Cubs first base coach
Giants
Hired
- Gabe Kapler: former Phillies manager, former Dodgers director of player development
Also Interviewed
- Joe Espada: Astros bench coach
- Gabe Kapler: former Phillies manager, former Dodgers director of player development
- Pedro Grifol: Royals quality control and catching coach
- Mark Kotsay: Athletics quality control coach, former Padres hitting coach & baseball operations special assistant
- Hensley Meulens: Giants bench coach
- Matt Quatraro: Rays bench coach, former minor-league manager
- Will Venable: Cubs first base coach
- Ron Wotus: Giants third base coach
Reportedly Received Consideration
- Raul Ibanez: Dodgers special assistant
- Mike Matheny: former Cardinals manager
Mets
Interviewing Twice
- Carlos Beltran: Special assistant to Yankees GM, former MLB outfielder
- Tim Bogar: Nationals first base coach
- Eduardo Perez: ESPN analyst, former Astros bench coach, former Puerto Rican Winter League Manager of the Year
- Derek Shelton: Twins bench coach, former Rays hitting coach
- Luis Rojas: Mets quality control coach
- Pat Murphy: Brewers bench coach
Interviewed Once
- Joe Girardi: Hired by Phillies
- Skip Schumaker: Padres first base coach, former Padres baseball ops/player development assistant, former MLB utilityman
- Mike Bell: Diamondbacks director of player development
Reportedly Under Consideration
- Buck Showalter: former Orioles/Yankees manager
- Mike Matheny: former Cardinals manager
Padres
Hired
- Jayce Tingler: Rangers player development field coordinator
Also Interviewed
- Ron Washington: Braves third base coach, former Rangers manager
- Brad Ausmus: former Angels/Tigers manager
- Rod Barajas: Padres interim manager, former bench coach
- Bob Henley: Nationals third base coach
- Mark Loretta: Cubs bench coach
Reportedly Received Consideration
- Joe Maddon: Hired by Angels
- Mike Matheny: Former Cardinals manager
Pirates — Search “paused” while team searches for new GM
Interviewing
- Ryan Christenson: Athletics bench coach, former minor-league manager
- Derek Shelton: Twins bench coach, former minor-league manager
- Stubby Clapp: Cardinals first base coach, former minor-league manager
- Matt Quatraro: Rays bench coach, former minor-league manager
- George Lombard: Dodgers first base coach, former minor-league manager
Reportedly Under Consideration
- Jeff Banister: Pirates special assistant; former Rangers manager, Pirates bench coach
- Mike Bell: Diamondbacks director of player development
- Mark Kotsay: Athletics quality control coach, former Padres hitting coach & baseball operations special assistant
- Joe Espada: Astros bench coach
Phillies
Hired
- Joe Girardi: former Yankees/Marlins manager
Also Interviewed
- Buck Showalter: former Orioles, Yankees, Rangers and Diamondbacks manager
- Dusty Baker: Special advisor to Giants; former Nationals/Reds/Cubs manager
Royals
Interviewing
- Vance Wilson: Royals bullpen coach
Reportedly Under Consideration
- Pedro Grifol: Royals quality control and catching coach
- Mike Matheny: Royals special advisor
Dale Sveum:Royals bench coach
This is a cool idea!
Pirates – Banister
Royals – Matheny
Giants – Kapler
Cubs – Girardi
Mets – Beltran
Phillies – Showalter
Padres – Washington
Angels – Maddon
Hope you’re wrong on Washington… he does make sense for them, but I don’t want to lose him on the Braves
Makes zero sense for them
@tatis- That’s patently false. He makes legitimate sense for a young team hoping to take the next step, seeing as he already assisted a franchise in that once and was a slow outfielder away from hoisting a World Series trophy.
Right, the guy just doesn’t want him.
I hope you’re wrong about Matheny! I know there’s a lot of Royals fans that do not want him!
As a Royals fan I hope they hire Joe Espada (if he’s still available when ownership transitions) and not Matheny.
I sincerely hope you’re wrong about Kapler. He would be an awful choice all around.
Frisco would be lucky to land Kapler. The Giants job is a beater. No path to winning for 2-3 years it’s a job a lot of strong candidates will pass on. But Zaidi could land kapler because of his relationship w/him
Agreed. Worst job of the bunch except maybe KC.
Giants will probably win another WS before your favorite team does. Haha
there five years away from contending
They are $100m shy of luxury tax threshold. They could easily win WS next year if they are aggressive.
Not without MadBum
Just not any time soon.
Good lord, do not want Kapler.
Me too! The job is more than just analytics.
Dave Roberts disagrees
This notion that Kapler is some nerd analytics freak is nonsense. Gabe Kapler is a former big league player with a WS ring ( 2004 Red) If the Giants don’t hire him someone else will either as a field manger or an executive in a front office / player development role. Gabe is hugely unique because not only does he embrace the data, he’s fluent in ‘ ballplayer speak’
This whole thing isn’t about the data. It’s about the player ‘buy in’. That is why Kapler is so sought after. Giants fans seemingly live in some sort of alternate reality. Data / analytics aren’t going anywhere. They’re here to stay. Zaidi was hired to change the culture in. Frisco . He’ll do that by going young via developing players . A guy like Kapler is perfect for that
Be respectful, It’s
San Francisco, NOT FRISCO !!
Please NOT Girardi for the Cubs. #saynotojoe…. Dave Ross, Dave Ross, Dave Ross.
If Epstein hires Girardi, Epstein will be unemployed shortly.
How about a new Joe? Joe Espada.
I’m down for Espada but I think Girardi would make the problems worse
Since the Cubs are most likely hiring David Ross I’ll take Girardi for the Mets, I think the younger managerial candidates should start in the minors first and work their way up.
1 for 4 so far
Didn’t Girardi already go to Philadelphia?
What in the wide world of sports are the Royals waiting on?
The sale of the team.
Ah, you’re probably right. I forgot about that.
Dayton Moore said he wouldn’t hire a manager without his boss’s approval. Sale of the team can’t be made official till late November.
The word on that has changed. He’s given full authority to move “today, tomorrow or anytime before the winter meetings.”
No interest in Clint Hurdle?
Not even from Mrs. Hurdle.
Well played.
Not nice
Very funny though. Lighten up or people will have that same sentiment about you.
Very cool article …
Has there ever been this many big league managerial openings at the same time?
Yes….there were 10 openings I think after the 2002 season.
Kapler would be a disaster for the Giants….
Ron Wotus would be the perfect hiring for them
I hope Hensley gets the chance but I think it’ll be Kapler.
Hensley, was a crappy hitting coach, I would pick Wotus, he deserves a shot and he has some fire in him.
Kapler no way.
AGREE! He was awful as a hitting coach and I’m totally against giving someone a promotion after they fail. Which is what they did when they “promoted” him to bench manager. I truly hope the new manager gives him a pink slip.
Wotus was the heir apparent for a long time, but it feels like Meulens has supplanted him, I’d be fine with either one. Anyone but Kapler.
Those guys will never manage in Frisco. They were part of a coaching staff that just booked it’s 3rd consecutive below .500 losing season. Now, You expect Zaidi to reward Meulens or Wotus with the managerial position? That’s just laughable . Zaidi wants to get as far away as possible from the current culture in San Francisco.
Hate all the Padres candidates. Actually have to hope they hire some random like they did when they hired Green.
Brad Ausmus, dude. He always interviews well.
Ron Washington is legit. He’s been to the World Series twice, 18-16 in the post season. Definitely the best candidate on their short list.
Game has passed Wash by at this point. On top of that, I’ve had just about enough of people incessantly banging the Preller-Rangers drum.
The days of strong starters that can go 7 innings, a bullpen that can get you 3 innings, speed and defense are dead. It’s a game centered around openers, a 7 man multimillion dollar pen, DH’s at every position and waiting on the home run.
The World Series would make you question the Yankee blueprint.
Padres should hire Ron Washington. Start: C Mejia. 1B Trade for A’s Matt Olson (L) or Pirate Josh Bell (S). 2B Padres #5 prospect Xavier Edwards. SS Tatis. 3B Machado. LF #4 CJ Abrams. CF #2 Taylor Trammell. RF Trade for Mookie Betts. SP’s are Clayton Kershaw via trade, Paddack, #1 prospect MacKenzie Gore, Garrett Richards & one of Lucchesi/Laurer/Quantrill. Send Hosmer’s $18M& Myers $20M & a RP & we pay Kershaw’s $30M. Trade Hedges, #26 Hunt & Cordero for Josh Bell or acquire Matt Olson for Yates, #24 RP Pedro Avila & Wingenter. Send Renfroe, Margot & Lamet for Betts (if Betts agrees to an extension). Padres bench: Urias/#6 Luis Campusano/Greg Garcia/#17 Edward Olivares.
This is the funniest comment I’ve ever seen. Betts, Kershaw, Bell and not giving up Tatis? LOLOLOL
Looks like you have it all figured out. Good luck.
Red Sox only have Betts for one more year—Renfroe plays RF, Margot can play any OF spot and Lamet gives them a SP they need. Boston gets practically nothing if he plays there in 2020.. Howz that funny? Nobody gets Tatis from the Padres (unless the Angels wanna swap Trout). Dodgers don’t want Kershaw, so make a trade.
Absolutely no one is taking on the contracts of Myers and Hosmer even with some money provided in the same trade. What makes you think that the A’s will trade Olson? Also Betts has stated that he wants to go through the free agency process. It is not as easy to make the trades you want. Remember it takes to sides to make a trade and a few of your trades are crazy.
Someone clearly likes the “force trade” button.
Trout for Tatis? LMAO the Angels would laugh in your face. Tatis has done nothing yet and you already think hes a swap for Trout kind of player? Whatever you are smoking, STOP!
LOL just stop, please. I realize this is your dream team…keep dreaming.
No “some money being provided” going out. Are (in this case) the Dodgers sending money to the Padres in a Kershaw trade? The answer is “n0.” Same on the other end. A’s need BP help. Yates and 2 others do that for them. Betts could be offered FA-level money in an extension. I didn’t know it took 2 sides to tango, so thanks. With observations like yours, you might wanna stick to hockey.
Relax—The poster was telling me Tatis would have to be included in a trade for any of Betts, Bell, Olson or Kershaw. I was pointing out that none of those players would be enough for Tatis. The only trade that would get acquire Tatis would be Trout coming to the Padres. Thought that would be clear—meaning that would be the only player I’d exchange Tatis for. Trout’s the best baseball player in this world, so of course he’s not catching a Greyhound to San Diego. I’d also trade Tatis for Shoeless Joe Jackson but that ain’t happening either.
What dream? All that line-up is already on Padres payroll. Just like the idea of adding Olson or Bell, Kershaw and Betts. It’s called ‘trading”. So, which is it–“”just stop, please” or “I realize this is your dream team…keep dreaming”?
Good luck to your team, too. That’s what the off-season is for—trying internally to improve our clubs and getting excited about next year.
Gotta get some of the stuff You’re smokin.
Stop playing MLB The Show with force trades on and comeback to the real world.
Dodgers don’t want Kershaw? Are you nuts? Of course they do. They will just have him work out of the bullpen in the playoffs.
The fact you even argue your point immediately discredits everything you thought through….ignorantly of course.
Just not another Green type Mgr. but someone who has the players respect and has at least several years of coaching experience and is more of a demanding player.
I’m actually a little surprised they haven’t been part of the mix for Mark Kotsay, unless his time in the Padres front office wore out his relationship with Preller.
I think the Padres ownership is going to whiff on this managerial hire if they allow it to happen through Preller. While their farm system is loaded, he has notably failed on the promise of a competitive roster built from within that was supposedly why he was hired in the first place. Ron Fowler and Peter Seidler need to be much more active in the process, with the knowledge they may have to replace Preller sooner than later.
I have to think that the Mets are going to go with someone with a bit more experience this time around. Unless he’s just going to be a puppet for Brodie & Jeffie Wilpon…
Roy, I wish that was true. I think it will be Bogar now, because all of the stalling leads me to believe whoever they want is busy right now. Magadan as hitting coach. Pitching coach choice will be most important coaching addition
How can Ibanez be under consideration for the Giants when he said he doesn’t want to Manage, right now.
I gotta figure Zaidi is smart enough to not sign Kapler
I really want Ron Washington in Philly
Shocked! Shocked I tell you! Nobody is interviewing Mickey Callaway!
Good call. Even Anaheim wouldn’t talk to Mickey Mouse!
Where’s Ozzie?!!!
I’d like to see Ozzie take the reigns in NY. I ask you, would you not be entertained?
Yes, My Guillen would be entertaining. The hispanic Bobby Valentine.
Ozzie Osbourne doesn’t know anything about baseball.
Well, he does know a thing or two about bats, doesn’t he?
just a bit.
He meant Nelson. Geez…
And Ozzie Nelson is dead.
Don’t forget that Dusty was also the Manager for 9 years for the Giants and helped them get the NLCS pennant!
I’m still trying to forget.
Who’ll work the cheapest? That’s the guy the Pirates want to talk to!
Sorry — Connie Mack is dead.
really hope the Royals don’t hire Metheny. I think Grifol or thier 3rd base coach would be better
#1 on my wishlist for the Phillies is Girardi. #2 is Showalter. Dusty Baker is a distant third.
I guess Joe McEwing just fell off of every team’s radar. The previous 2 off seasons he was somewhat of a hot name for a manager’s job.
Little Mac went home to train.
Who is Tingler just another of Prellers cronies, never managed in the Bigs. Prellers got his sight on one guy Washington however I hope the FO has more to say on the Mgr. this time around. The Braves fans say they really ike Washington and hope he doesn’t leave.
If Washington is hired we’ll see more than likely five coaches replaced maybe even our pitching coach. I’d say a three year deal for whoever they hire,
Preller could be gone by then more than likely before three years if 2020 is not at least a .500 team.
I see two OF’s remaining, Renfroe and Margot the rest forget. Myers is gone, Josh back to EP, Jank gone Martini EP, I see at least four pitchers gone via trade or back to EP, Hedges more than likely traded, with some prospects for an OF. Myers dealt and half his salary for a AA player,
Hosmer would be good trade bait along with some prospects for a SP. I say a full rehab for this team. When players and coaches are use to losing over the past ten years it creates a negative attitude so let’s clean house coaches and players.
It’s do or die for Preller he better step up this off season starting in Dec.
Darren Balsley isn’t going anywhere. He has as close as there is to a gig-for-life with the Padres.
Only time will tell, like stated a new Mgr. and new coaches no one is guaranteed a return, Balsley possibly but could be gone with all the others
David Ross is an incredible actor, convincing everyone that he’s a great guy because he’s affable on the air as an analyst. I’m from his hometown (Tallahassee, FL) and he’s as friendly as Albert Belle in real life. He’s cut me off in his truck a half dozen times and if you run into him in a grocery store and say “Hey Dave, how’s it going? Loved your work as a catcher for the Sox, you, Lackey, and Lester have to be the only living players with both a Sox and Cubs World Series Ring” you’re more likely to get cussed out than get an autograph.
No one owes you anything. And this is about how good he’d be at being a mgr, not can he be your friend.
Thanks Captain Obvious for pointing out that he doesn’t need to be a friend. I think his point is that Ross sounds like a big doooshecanoe
I guess Ross won the Cub manager popularity contest…let’s see if his experience Dancing with The Stars and on ESPN works on the field….Yankee fans didn’t think that Boone was necessarily a good choice either, but so far so good.
Some people have incredible PR Teams that are able to provide great spin and gulable people take it hook, line and sinker. How many people outside sports get the 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances that professional Athletes and Actors get. The guy could be at a murder scene with a bloody shirt, gun in hand and the PR Team would say “Oh he picked up the gun so someone else couldn’t use it and he got the bloody shirt from trying to lift the body”. Oh, and he never got in trouble in the past and yet has social media posts that contradict that BS.
Was hoping for Ibanez to the Giants, but pretty sure it has been reported that he is not planning on managing this upcoming season.
He was reported and saying he doesn’t want to be traveling until his kids are a lot older
With the Nats advancing to the WS. The MLB schedule is open this Friday. I’m gonna guess we get at least 1 managerial announcement.
I’d love to see Girardi with the Mets but, I wouldn’t wish that on him.. Let him go to Chicago or Philly and give the Mets Kapler or Metheny. That might get the Wilpons to sell!!
Why don’t the Padres maybe look at John Farrell
I don’t believe many of the young Cubs players will be anxious to re-sign whenthe time comes if Girardi is the manager. They would for Dave Ross. #saynotojoe.
You don’t necessarily win being a players friend which is what Ross will need to be careful of and that you are promoting as the difference between Girardi and Ross…..a manager needs to be able to make the hard decisions most of the time for the betterment of the team rather than the individual.
Joe has done a great job with young talent in both Miami and NY…..its just that after 10 years and 1 championship the Yankees wanted a change and went with Boone.
Ross, other than as a player, hasn’t won anything as yet.
The Mets will unfire Mickey Callaway and bring him back for 2020. Wilpon’s figure they’re paying him anyway so what the hell. Brodie will use the money saved to sign another washed up utility infielder and Robbie Cano’s personal nutritionist. Under his expert advice 50% of the roster will be suspended for substance abuse. Gee it’s fun to be a Met fan!
So Bogar is no longer under consideration in Fredville?
If these are supposed to be in alphabetical order why are the Pirates before the Phillies ?
What? The Heartthrob is only getting one interview?
I understand the Royals are waiting on the sale of the team, but it would be nice if they pretended like they cared about hiring a decent manager instead of doing nothing and waiting for whomever is left.
Serious question, why is everyone so high on Dave Ross?
No clue
He goes by David Ross. That shows how much some of these fans know about baseball and why they are high on “Dave” Ross. They do not even know his name!
Then there are those fans that worry about exact names or spelling of names and you you are not perfect you are not a fan. Just like you can not possibly say a word about the Yankees if you do not know a player’s name by their number on the uniform. Unless you do, you have no business talking anything about the Yankees.
Enough rant. The reason why everyone is so high on Dave, David or the Former catcher for the Dodgers, Pirates, Padres, Reds, Red Sox, Braves, Red Sox again and Cubs (in that order) with the last name Ross, is because of his respect in the Cubs clubhouse. and his baseball knowledge. We shall see if that translates into managerial skills or not.
PS Good defensive catcher with decent bat . His pitchers liked him a lot. Bounced around a lot over his career. That is a snapshot of David Ross’s playing career.
Really good post. This thread isn’t reserved for Cubs fans. I don’t know much about “David” Ross.
I’m not sure why anyone gets too excited over who the next manager of the team will be. How much do any of us really now about managers?
When I was much younger, I was so happy the Angels hired Dick Williams. and he quickly lost complete control of the clubhouse.
Call me jaded, but it’s hard for me to get excited over hiring a new manager..
Dont argue with anything you said except when it comes to baseball knowledge, he isn’t the equal in comparison to the baseball knowledge of Joe Girardi who has been successful as both a player and manager. Just because the players like him walking around the clubhouse with no responsibility doesn’t mean that will translate when he has to make the hard decisions a manager has to make….Like trading them, bumping them lower in the batting order, or sitting them due to lack of performance…..lets see then if the players want him coming to their kids birthday party!
Kotsay fits the mold of a coach, doesn’t he
Sign this petition to stop the Royals from hiring Mike Matheny.
https://www.change.org/p/dayton-moore-kansas-city-royals-don-t-hire-mike-matheny?recruiter=873621823&utm_medium=nurture_v1&petition_id=18409721
Why are the Mets second-interviewing six guys?
To make sure they hire the wrong guy
I thought “stubby clapp” was a disease.
Matheny managerial wins below. Matheny’s weaknesses was focusing on defense and base running. He would have difficulty benching a veteran player. His downfall included the players acquired by the then GM- Mozalik, which consisted of signing unproven ball players to long contracts
2012 – 88
2013 – 97
2014- 90
2015- 100
2016 – 86
2017 – 83
Mets: Beltran
Phillies: Girardi
Royals: Matheny
Giants: Kapler
Pirates: Shelton
Padres: Washington
I hope your wrong on some of these. Particularly Beltran to Mets. It will be another lost season with young talented players and a manager with zero managerial experience. At least Callaway had two years under his belt and he didn’t loose this season for the Mets. No bullpen cost them. BVW
I also hope you are wrong about Beltran. I dont need a players friend in the clubhouse, with no managerial experience. That’s what we just had.
Joe Maddon will have his work cut out for him with the LA Angels. Tough division with the Astros and Athletics, and he has a weak pitching staff. Still, he gets the best player in baseball in Mike Trout. I wish him well in his new gig.
Yea, but Moreno and Eppler will spend a ton of money and go out and get what he needs. With Maddon’s input, I wouldn’t sleep on this team. They probably won’t do a ton in 2020, but they’ll be very good by 2021.
Wow, No interest in John Gibbons?
Interesting that the only ones connected to the pirates that have MLB manager experience is Banister.. the rest have never been MLB managers.
IMO going “cheap” on a manager and other coaches, probably the most important pieces to not go cheap on
Whatever happened to Fredi Gonzalez? Kind of surprised he’s not under consideration somewhere…?
Royals: Hurdle
Mets: Showalter
Giants: Farrell
Pirates: Loretta
Who’s not pulling for Stubby Clapp?
He would be a great choice. He will probably get the Pitates job
The Pirates have had “ The Clapp” since 1979 World Series Championship. So, Stubby Clapp would fit right in.
I wouldn’t mind Hurdle considering he used to play for the Royals.
Re Kapler / Giants… I’m not going to pretend that I’m well versed regarding possible managers for any team. That said I’ve read from a number of sources some things about Kaplan that are troubling but could be wrong. Is this traderumors? Beyond analytics I’ve read he’s a very hard worker and understands baseball speak (having been a player). Pretty consistent in what I’ve read is that he sometimes wasn’t a good communicator and didn’t demonstrate great leadership. Of course he looks good (but is not my ‘type’ ) but I don’t care about that in a manager.
As an ex coach I hate the trashing of the managers today calling them puppets without really knowing their role on a team. I love the sabermetrics in todays game, but the manager is more than a communication tool for the from office. Teams will win on the performance of their players on the field, and managers are a big part of that. although not directly. Teams that win usually have the players that perform the best at that time, not the teams with the best players.
Mets hired an agent as gm. They like to think outside the box. I think they will hire Hilary Clinto as manager. That’s the big name they were talking about.
Don’t the Mets want to win and not throw the World Series like the 1919 black sox scandal? I think they do end up with something like the black sox scandal if they had Hillary Clinton but I know you’re joking….It’s obvious They’re going to hire Al Gore.
I see Jayce Tingler’s name and can’t help but to laugh. Still a comical but soooo Padres hire. It’s the “Where’s Waldo” of names on the candidate list, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Sorry Padres fans.
Sign this petition so the Royals don’t sign Matheny
http://chng.it/m6RwyKvQQy