Chance to become MLB manager interests Alomar Jr.

CLEVELAND -- Sandy Alomar Jr. has been a key member of the Indians' coaching staff for several years now and received a brief taste of life in the manager's chair three seasons ago. Along the way, a handful of other teams have taken a close look at the former catcher as a managerial candidate.

Alomar has one year remaining on his contract with Cleveland, but is interested in seeing what might come of his latest chance at becoming a Major League manager. Alomar interviewed with the D-backs on Monday for their managerial vacancy and was pleased with how the day went from his side of the table.

"It was a good interview and a great opportunity," Alomar said. "I'm looking forward to seeing where it might lead."

Alomar -- one of 11 known candidates for Arizona's open manager's job -- declined to delve into the specifics of the interview, but was hoping to receive a second look from the D-backs, whose search is being led by Hall-of-Fame manager Tony La Russa, the team's chief baseball officer. Arizona dismissed Kirk Gibson as manager on Sept. 26.

Besides Alomar, Arizona is also looking at Jay Bell, Tim Bogar, Lorenzo Bundy, Andy Green, Chip Hale, Joe McEwing, Phil Nevin, Jim Tracy, Don Wakamatsu and Turner Ward.

FoxSports.com reported Thursday that the Twins also had interest in interviewing Alomar for their managerial opening.

The Rangers currently have Bogar as their interim manager, but are also conducting a search for a full-time skipper. Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash -- brought to Cleveland as part of manager Terry Francona's staff prior to the 2013 season -- is among the candidates for the Texas job. Others known to be in the mix include Jeff Banister, Bogar, Alex Cora, Torey Lovullo and McEwing.

The 36-year-old Cash has no managing experience, but worked in Toronto's front office as an advance scout prior to joining Francona's coaching staff. Cash spent parts of eight seasons in the Majors between stints with the Blue Jays, Rays, Red Sox, Yankees and Astros.

Alomar, 48, spent 20 seasons in the Major Leagues and was a six-time All-Star in his years with the Indians. Following his playing career, Alomar worked as a catching instructor for the Mets in the 2008-09 seasons before joining former Cleveland manager Manny Acta's coaching staff prior to the '10 campaign.

Over the past five seasons, Alomar has served as a bench coach (2012-13) and first-base coach (2010-11, 2014) for Cleveland. He has also doubled as the club's catching instructor, helping players such as Yan Gomes, Carlos Santana and Roberto Perez have success in the Majors.

Alomar is no stranger to the interviewing process, either.

He was a finalist for Toronto's managerial opening after the '10 season, and he also interviewed with the Cubs and Red Sox following the '11 season. For the final six games of '12, Alomar served as the Tribe's interim manager after the club parted ways with Acta. Alomar and Francona were the only candidates during Cleveland's manager search after that season.