A little more than a month after Joe Maddon announced his abrupt exit from the Tampa Bay Rays have confirmed that Kevin Cash has been hired as the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Cash, who turns 37 Saturday, has no managerial experience, spent ’12 season as #BlueJays advance scout, last two as #Indians bullpen coach
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 5, 2014
The Rays wasted no time in announcing the managerial decision after Raual Ibanez’s unexpected withdrawal from consideration Thursday. Cash is a product of Tampa Bay who graduated from Gaither High School, and spent part of the 2005 season with the Rays. The presumed skipper went on to spend one year as advance scout for Blue Jays — where part of his duties were to prepare binders, statistics, and reports on opposing players — then joined the Indians in 2013 as the bullpen coach.
Cash is said to have an advanced feel for in-game managerial decisions and, per Danny Russell (DRaysBay), is credited with the pitching successes of both Scott Kazmir and Ubaldo Jimenez in 2013, Carlos Carrasco and Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in 2014, and with instigating the trade for catcher Yan Gomes. Indians GM Chris Antonetti put it best,
He may not have managerial experience but he is very well equipped to handle the various challenges.
In a release, Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg said of Cash, “His energy and dynamic personality will fit seamlessly with our clubhouse.” Sternberg continued, “We are fortunate to have such a talented individual, and Tampa Bay native, to lead our club, as we strive to achieve new heights as a team and organization.” Cash was a finalist for manager with the Texas Rangers earlier this off-season.
Noteworthiness
- For more on Kevin Cash’s playing and coaching career, read DRaysBays’ full write up here. Also, for evidence of his skill working with pitchers, here’s a breakdown of how he allegedly helped turn around the career of Carlos Carrasco during his time in Cleveland.
- Your tweet of the day:
New #Rays manager Cash, 37 tomorrow, becomes youngest active manager in majors, youngest since A.J. Hinch (#Dbacks in 09), per @STATS_MLB — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 5, 2014