Cubs' Martinez to interview with Dodgers
Maddon's bench coach has ties to LA exec Friedman
CHICAGO -- Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez was expected to interview next week for the Dodgers' managerial opening -- with someone he knows well.
Martinez, 51, worked with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman when they were with the Rays. Friedman was Tampa Bay's director of baseball development, and then moved up in the front office, eventually becoming general manager in 2005. Friedman joined the Dodgers in October 2014. Martinez played for Tampa Bay from 1998-2000, and was named the bench coach in October 2007.
Martinez was the only coach Joe Maddon added when he was named the Cubs manager last November. Martinez has interviewed for managerial openings before, including with the Cubs, where he began his playing career. A third-round pick in 1983, Martinez played for Chicago from 1986-88, and again in 2000.
Maddon's coaching staff will return for 2016.
On Oct. 22, the Dodgers announced that they and Don Mattingly had mutally agreed that Mattingly would not return to manage the team in 2016. Friedman was expected to talk to at least 10 candidates; he interviewed at least that many before hiring Maddon to manage the Rays in 2005.