MLB Manager Rumors 10-21
The MLB season is entering week four of the off season. Well, the off season for all those teams that did not make the playoffs. We still have seven managerial openings across the MLB. With the candidate list starting to get smaller, four teams have finalized their searches to a precious few. Read below for the latest MLB Manager rumors.
Mets Final Four
The New York Mets interviewed eight candidates. Only four of them have been asked back for a second interview. Joe Girardi is the choice of the fans. Girardi is the only remaining candidate that has actual major league managing experience. As a bonus, he was the manager of the cross-town New York Yankees. Girardi is also a finalist for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets insist that offers to Girardi by any other team will not speed up their hiring process.
Tim Bogar is the only other candidate who has actual experience as a manager. However, that was in the minor leagues. Bogar also was the interim manager for the Texas Rangers for 22 games in 2014.
Carlos Beltran and Eduardo Perez are the other two finalists. Beltran is a former Mets player and potential Hall of Fame player. Perez is the son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez. Beltran has never even been a coach before, while Perez does have prior experience as a major league coach.
Hear Mets will not be rushed no matter where other searches stand. Philly seems further along, and Girardi has decent chance there — but word is an offer to anyone from another team won’t speed up the Mets’ process. Reportedly Beltran, Perez Bogar also still in Mets mix
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 21, 2019
Philadelphia Freedom
The Phillies have only had three candidates, and those same three candidates still remain today — Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter, and Girardi. Showalter has ties to the Phillies front office from his days as the manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Girardi is reportedly the choice of Phillies owner John Middleton. It was reported that Middleton made the call to fire Gabe Kapler.
The Philly front office likes Showalter from Baltimore dats. But belief is owner John Middleton — who made the Kapler call — is leaning toward Joe Girardi. Girardi likely has good feel he’s getting something since he left team USA. @thekapman suggested Phils job is Joe’s to lose.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 21, 2019
Cubs King of the North
The rumors from the Windy City have the Chicago Cubs down to two candidates. David Ross is a former Cubs player and now the special assistant of baseball operations is one front runner. The other one is Joe Espada, who also has interest from at least two other teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. Espada, however, is a little busy right now, serving as the Houston Astros bench coach preparing for the World Series.
David Ross and Joe Espada appear to be the frontrunners on the North Side of Chicago. Espada also in play in SF and PITT. @GDubCub 1st suggested
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 21, 2019
Padres New Father
The San Diego Padres manager search is now down to two candidates. The reported favorite is Jayce Tingler. Tingler is a player development executive with the Rangers. Ron Washington is also in the mix. Both candidates have ties to Padres General Manager AJ Preller when he was in the Rangers organization. Washington served as the manager of the Rangers from 2007-2014. Preller also worked closely with Tingler during his ten year career in Texas.
Many folks around baseball believe AJ Preller will pick Jayce Tingler, Rangers player development exec, to be the Padres next manager. Doesn’t mean it’s a done deal, and Ron Washington, who Preller also knows from Texas, is also in the running. Tingler is seen as favorite though.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 17, 2019
