As we know, the 2017 season did not go as planned for the Detroit Tigers. Not only did they finish in last place, but they lost some fan favorites along the way, including Justin Verlander and J.D. Martinez, who were both traded. In addition to losing multiple superstars, the Tigers also lost manager Brad Ausmus, who general manager Al Avila announced will not be returning for the 2018 season.
Ever since the news broke about Ausmus (and even before the news broke), many outlets, including Detroit Sports Nation started tossing around the names of potential candidates to replace him.
According to Lynn Henning of The Detroit News, a source of his that is “familiar with the Tigers conversations” has indicated that the Tigers will not interview John Farrell, who was just fired by the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.
In Henning’s piece, he gave a list of candidates the Tigers either have already interviewed or are planning to interview before making a final decision.
From The Detroit News:
“The Tigers have interviewed three internal candidates — Lloyd McClendon, Dave Clark, and Omar Vizquel, all of whom were coaches on the staff of departed manager Brad Ausmus.
Outside interviews have included, or yet will, Fredi Gonzalez, former Marlins and Braves manager; Ron Gardenhire, one-time Twins manager now a bench coach with the Diamondbacks; Hensley Meulens, Giants hitting coach and World Baseball Classic manager; Alex Cora, bench coach for the Astros; Mike Redmond, bench coach for the Rockies; Dave Martinez, Cubs bench coach; and Joe McEwing, White Sox bench coach and former minor-league skipper.”
Henning also noted that Avila is planning on hiring a new manager either “shortly before, or after” the World Series, depending which teams are still playing.
According to Henning, some names that many thought WOULD be finalists but are not include, Manny Acta, Bo Porter, Pedro Grifol, Phil Nevin, and Mark Kotsay.
One potential candidate who was not mentioned one way or the other in Henning’s piece is former Tiger Gabe Kapler.
Ron Gardenhire. We don’t need another rookie to learn on the fly.
Gardy is my first choice, followed by Omar Vizquel.
If it isn’t Gardenhire I won’t take anything they do seriously .
Who ever they bring in has to leave their ego at the door. It can’t be a guy looking to add this stop on their resume on the way to bigger and better things elsewhere. Can’t be a guy who’s gonna go nuts these next couple of seasons with the media constantly sniping at him as the losses pile up. It’s gotta be a guy with the experience to know when to get on players asses, but also willing to show patience when it’s needed most. Whoever it is, he’s not likely going to take the team into the promise land BUT more of a caretaker/teacher/leadership kind of guy. Someone like Gardy with maybe Trammell as his bench coach. I like Clark as third base coach and Omar as first base coach BUT I know it’ll be the manager’s decision. I have no use for Lamont, Mac, or the current pitching coach (who’s name escapes me).
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