UPDATE: Bud Black will also interview for the Dodgers' managerial vacancy.
Sources: #Dodgers plan to interview Bud Black for managerial opening. Team about halfway into process. As many as 10 interviews possible.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 3, 2015
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the market for a new manager and have already begun their interview process shortly after Don Mattingly's departure. There are three names the team has expressed interested with, according to the latest rumors.
It's already been reported that Gabe Kapler, who is the Dodgers' farm director, is the frontrunner for the job. In fact, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal talked to MLB personnel that said they would be "surprised" if Kapler isn't the team's next manager.
Here's what ESPN's Mark Saxon wrote regarding Kapler's candidacy:
"The national consensus seems to be that Friedman will hire Kapler, his longtime friend and the only candidate who is now a member of his front office inner circle. He's the farm director, but his influence seems to be greater than that of the average player-development paper pusher.
"He's certainly the most versatile possibility, with an interest in advanced analytics, nutrition, fitness, psychology and, yes, baseball. Kapler as a manager would be an entirely different experience than any of the other candidates as a manager, which will -- of course -- intrigue a Dodgers front office that's always looking to explore outside the box."
Nonetheless, the Dodgers will interview more candidates, as required by the MLB. The next two lined up for a meeting are Darin Erstad and Dave Roberts.
Erstad, the current coach of the University of Nebraska and former MLB outfielder will also interview with the Dodgers, according to Rosenthal. Erstad played 14 MLB seasons and was a two-time All-Star before being hired as Nebraska's head coach in 2011.
Erstad is familiar with California, having played 11 seasons with the Angels during his MLB tenure. He's also the only candidate here with managing experience, but the Dodgers' front office is an unconventional bunch and that credential is probably not atop their list of requirements. After all, they parted ways with Mattingly, who hadn't recorded a losing season in his first five seasons as manager.
As for Roberts, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported the Dodgers' interest in him last week. The Padres bench coach was a finalist for the Seattle Mariners' manager position before they hired Scott Servais. He's been a coach in San Diego since 2011, but was also passed up for the managerial vacancy with the Padres when the team hired Andy Green on Thursday.
Roberts played three MLB seasons with the Dodgers and retired in 2008 after 10 years in the bigs.
Also, Chicago Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez could be a top candidate for the job. Rumors have suggested he could be Mattingly's successor because of his close relationship with Joe Maddon, who managed the Tampa Bay Rays under Andrew Friedman (now Dodgers president) for nine seasons.
Stay tuned for updates on the Dodgers' manager search.
