MLB Manager Rumors 10-14
It’s week two of the offseason and the MLB manager rumors are heating up. The Philadelphia Phillies officially joined the manager search late last week when they axed Gabe Kapler. That makes eight teams looking for a new skipper and all have officially started interviewing candidates.
Here are the latest MLB manager rumors to make the rounds.
The City of Brotherly Love
The Philadelphia Phillies spent a lot of money bringing in new players for the 2019 season. This includes their crown jewel of signing Bryce Harper to a ten-year contract. Phillies management expected a winning season. This did not happen and it cost Kapler his job. The rumors swirling around Philly indicate that a veteran manager will be their next hire.
The two names being mentioned are Dusty Baker and Buck Showalter. Baker has a career record as a manager of 1,863 and 1,636 across 22 seasons and four different teams. Baker has led his teams to seven division titles and one World Series appearance.
Showalter’s career record is 1,551 and 1,517 spanning 20 years. Buck has two division titles under his belt and was the first-ever manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Showalter knows how to build teams but is often criticized for not winning the big one. The New York Yankees and the Diamondbacks won the World Series in the first year after Showalter was fired.
Joe Girardi who is on every team’s list of potential candidates will also interview this week. Girardi has a career record of 998 and 794. Girardi also has won three division titles and one World Series championship. Mike Scioscia is another potential candidate. Scioscia spent 19 seasons all with the Los Angeles Angels and went 1650 and 1428. Scioscia won six division titles and one World Series championship.
Joe Girardi and Buck Showalter will interview for the #Phillies’ managerial vacancy this week, sources tell The Athletic. Dusty Baker also will interview, per @MDGonzales. Showalter meeting first reported by @JSalisburyNBCS.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 13, 2019
The King of Queens
The first round of interviews to be conducted by the New York Mets will include Mike Bell. Bell is the director of player development with the Diamondbacks. Derek Shelton is also getting an interview. Shelton is the bench coach for the Minnesota Twins. Former Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and Joe Girardi also will be interviewed. Bell is the son of Buddy Bell and the grandson of Gus Bell. He is also the brother of current Cincinnatti Reds manager David Bell.
It would not be the Mets if there wasn’t a mystery candidate coming in for an interview. The Met fan base wants a manager with experience instead of another first-year manager. The Mets have not been willing to pay a lot of money to their managers.
Mike Bell is scheduled to interview for Mets managerial job Monday. There are 4 known candidates getting in-person interviews; also Derek Shelton, Carlos Beltran, Joe Girardi. There is at least 1 mystery candidate coming in, perhaps more. @Ken_Rosenthal and @Joelsherman1 on it.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 13, 2019
Reportedly Beltran has stated he only wants to manage the Mets. Beltran has drawn interest from other teams such as the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs.
Carlos Beltran said the Padres and Cubs want to interview him for manager job, but he isn’t going to take the meetings. He only wants the Mets job. “I’m ready,” he said.
— Anthony Rieber (@AnthonyRieber) October 13, 2019
Pirates New Captain
The Pittsburgh Pirates are said to be looking at four candidates. Sam Fuld is the Major League player information coordinator for the Phillies. Jeff Banister is the former manager of the Texas Rangers. Banister in four years has a record of 325 and 313 with two division titles.
The other two names include Bell and Shelton. If Bell were to be hired by the Pirates he would be managing against his brother David 19 times a season.
Mike Bell, Diamondbacks director of player development, son of Buddy, grandson of Gus and brother of David, is also in mix for Pirates manager. Other known candidates there: Banister, Shelton, Fuld. Bell’s Mets interview is tomorrow.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 13, 2019
Padres New Father
A new name could be entering the San Diego Padres managerial search. His name is Jayce Tingler. Tingler is the Major League Development Field Coordinator for the Rangers. Padres GM AJ Preller’s close relationship with Tingler is said to be a huge factor. Ron Washington is still said to be the favorite as of now. The Padres also interviewed Brad Ausmus and Rod Barajas.
Folks are suggesting Padres prefer experience for manager, and maybe they do. But many who know AJ Preller wouldn’t be shocked if he hired Jayce Tingler, either. Tingler, a player development guy, is beloved with the Rangers, Preller’s previous team.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 14, 2019
The latest to interview for #Padres managerial job is Ron Washington, currently Atlanta's third-base coach, who is in SD today. So far Washington, Brad Ausmus, Rod Barajas & Jayce Tingler, Texas coach, have interviewed. Hearing no on Buck Showalter, Joe Girardi & Mike Scioscia
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 11, 2019
The King Of the North
The Chicago Cubs manager search had looked to be centered on three names. The three names are David Ross, Mark Loretta, and Girardi. Both Girardi and Ross have played for the Cubbies. Ross was part of the 2016 World Series Championship team. Ross is currently a special assistant to General Manager Theo Epstein. Loretta is currently the bench coach for the Cubs. Girardi has been working in the booth for the American League playoff games on FOX.
Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada will also be interviewed this week along with Kapler. The rumors swirling around the Cubs suggests they want to stay within the organization. Epstein wants an experienced manager.
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1183768887638269955?s=20
Halo Joe Maddon
Joe Maddon is still considered the heavy favorite to be the next manager of the Los Angeles Angels. Maddon to the Angels is not official yet. The Angels are doing their due diligence and have interviewed other candidates. Former Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell has interviewed with the Angels. Farrell has a seven-year record of 586 and 548. Farrell has also won three division titles and one World Series championship.
The Angels also interviewed Johnny Washington and Showalter. Washington is the hitting coach with the Padres.
Johnny Washington, who was #Padres hitting coach last year, has interviewed for #Angels managerial job. As @JeffFletcherOCR & @maria_torres3 reported, John Farrell & Buck Showalter also interviewed in addition to Maddon, who all but officially has job wrapped up
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 11, 2019
Bay Area Boss
The San Francisco Giants have interviewed Kapler for their open manager vacancy. Pedro Grifol who is the Kansas City Royals quality control and catching coach was also interviewed. Another candidate who was interviewed is Mark Kotsay.
The Giants who had a list of 10 candidates added Kapler once he became available. Kapler has close ties to Giants President Farhan Zaidi.
Gabe Kapler has been long considered the favorite to replace Bruce Bochy, even when he still was employed by the #Phillies. https://t.co/9KyHHGCyur
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 12, 2019
Royalty In Kansas City
The Kansas City Royals will be interviewing Pedro Grifol for their managerial opening. Mike Matheny is also strongly in the mix. The Royals have a shortlist of candidates. They are content to stay in house to find Ned Yost‘s replacement.
Grifol is a hot name. His Royals also are interviewing him https://t.co/cgMMnjVVTw
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 12, 2019
