Despite being a week or so behind schedule, the Rays have finally announced their list of preliminary managerial candidates. In a statement, Silverman called the list “preliminary” and said it was expected to “grow as (the Rays) continue through (the hiring) process.”
The initial list of candidates includes several familiar names, some of whom have been tied to other recent managerial openings:
Organizational options Dave Martinez (bench coach) and Charlie Montoyo (Triple-A manager), former big league skippers Manny Acta and Don Wakamatsu (the Royals bench coach last year), recent big league players Craig Counsell and Raul Ibanez, Giants bench coach Ron Wotus and Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash.
The initial group brings a diverse group of possibilities to the Rays. While whoever takes the job will have big shoes to fill, it should be mentioned that both Martinez and Montoyo are familiar with the “Rays way” of operating.
Noteworthiness
- We wrote a piece on Dave Martinez a couple of weeks back. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already.
- In other news, per Marc Topkin, ex-Rays RHP Josh Lueke and C Ali Solis — who were mainly at Triple-A Durham — have chosen to become free agents. That is, Lueke is no longer the Rays problem! You can read more here.