Candidates Interview For Manager Slot

By Jordan Long

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The Boston Red Sox are looking for a new manager. The job opened October 11^th after another disappointing American League Division Series loss. And so manager John Farrell got the boot.

The team has been interviewing candidates for the opening. This past weekend, Houston Astros Bench Coach Alex Cora talked to the Red Sox and appears to be the front-runner. Monday, Brad Ausmus also met with the Red Sox. And, according to yahoosports.com, Arizona Diamondbacks Bench Coach Ron Gardenhire is next in the hot seat.

Alex Cora has never been a manager in Major League Baseball. This season was his first as a coach of any kind, and his first time as a Bench Coach. The only experience he has in Major League Baseball is as a player.  He appeared in 1,273 games throughout his 14 years in Major League Baseball as in infielder.

The problem with Cora is he has no experience as a Major League Baseball manager. He is knowledgeable about the game due to his playing experience. But he may not be sufficiently experienced  to know when to switch players out or bring in a different pitcher  when the man on the mound doesn’t have his stuff. The Red Sox need a manager who has that feel.

Ron Gardenhire and Brad Ausmus are perfect for the Red Sox job. They are both skilled managers. Gardenhire was with the Minnesota Twins from 2002 to 2014. His record is 1,068-1,039 for a winning percentage of .507. The Twins made the playoffs 6 times under his management. The farthest the Twins went was the American League Championship Series in 2002 where they were knocked off by the Anaheim Angels in 5 games. Gardenhire will turn the Red Sox into a winner. He did it before with the Twins and hopes to have that chance with the Red Sox.

Brad Ausmus hasn’t been a manager as long as Ron Gardenhire. Ausmus was the Detroit Tigers manager for the last 4 years. The Tigers were unimpressive at 314-332. Ausmus took them to the postseason once in 2014. Unfortunately, the Tigers were swept in the American League Division Series by the Baltimore Orioles. At least he knows more about being a manager at the Major League level than Alex Cora.

If the Red Sox decide that Cora is the man for the job, they must be patient with him. He has never been in this position before and it will take him a few years to get comfortable. The Red Sox can’t fire Cora after a season or two. They would have to give him at least a few years to turn the team into a winner.