A new name has emerged in the offseason manager search for the Twins and Rangers. Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo has been permitted to interview with the two teams, while the Diamondbacks have interest in Oakland Athletics bench coach Chip Hale.
Each of these teams are certainly moving in the right direction throughout the hiring process, but there is yet to be a clear front-runner for each position. The Rangers looked like they would have the easiest choice by hiring interim manager Tim Bogar, but general manager Jon Daniels said he wants to expand the search while keeping Bogar in the mix. Thus far the team has interviewed in-house candidates such as pitching coach Mike Maddux and Triple-A manager Steve Buechele, but have expanded the search and spoke with Lovullo.
Texas has also planned to interview Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Jeff Bannister, Chicago White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing, ESPN Analyst and Puerto Rican League manager/GM Alex Cora and Cleveland bullpen coach Kevin Cash, along with Bogar.
As for the Twins, their search is likely to take a bit longer. They fired Ron Gardenhire after 13 seasons as manager and were initially looking to hire from within like the Rangers, but they've recently received permission to speak with Lovullo as well as Hale. Minnesota already interviewed infield coach and former player Paul Molitor, Class A manager Doug Mientkiewicz and Triple-A manager Gene Glynn. General manager Terry Ryan hasn't been too vocal about his preference, let alone the interview process, but after the interview with Lovullo and the speculated meeting with Hale, it's likely the public gets a better idea of his direction. Other potential candidates include Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo and Rays bench coach Dave Martinez.
The Diamondbacks are in the market for a manager as well as a bench coach. Most recently, the team confirmed they were given permission to speak with Bogar, Hale and Dodgers third base boach Lorenzo Bundy. Last Wednesday the team confirmed the same with McEwing and also mentioned they will speak with Sandy Alomar Jr. (Indians), Jay Bell (Reds), Turner Ward (D-Backs), Andy Green (farm system), Phil Nevin (farm system), Jim Tracy (NA) and Don Wakamatsu (Royals).
Right now the bench coaches seem to be leading the way. Bogar, Lovullo and Hale have emerged as prime candidates for these managerial openings, and we could see them coaching big league teams in 2015. But don't be surprised if these teams opt to hire from within because that's always a safer decision for an organization to transition their philosophy.
