Dipoto has strong potential pool to consider for manager
SEATTLE -- With Lloyd McClendon officially out as Mariners manager on Friday, the focus now turns to who new general manager Jerry Dipoto will turn to as the 17th full-time manager in the franchise's history.
"I would obviously like to start the process immediately," Dipoto said. "We'll look to discuss possibilities with other clubs as the contract season comes to an end (on Oct. 31). I know a lot of people around baseball. We'll find an energetic, positive influence in the clubhouse. I can't say when we'll conclude, but we'll get there."
Here are some of the potential candidates:
Tim Bogar: The former Major League infielder has been prominently mentioned as a leading candidate based on his history with Dipoto. The 48-year-old spent five years as a coach with the Rays and Red Sox before becoming manager of the Angels' Double-A Arkansas team in 2013 and taking that club to the Texas League finals with a 73-66 record. After becoming Ron Washington's bench coach with the Rangers in 2014, he took over as interim manager following Washington's late-season departure and led Texas to a 14-8 record in that span. Bogar was a finalist for the Rangers job that eventually went to Jeff Banister, then was hired by Dipoto as an assistant to the GM in Anaheim this past year. Dipoto and Bogar played together on the Mets in 1995-96. The Illinois native has a 362-266 (.576) record in five seasons as a Minor League manager and was named Manager of the Year three times.
Scott Servais: Another Angels front-office member with close connections to Dipoto, Servais could be a candidate for the manager position or to replace Chris Gwynn as the director of player development, a job he held with the Rangers and then Angels. The 48-year-old doesn't have any experience in managing or coaching, but has a strong baseball background and is reportedly interviewing for the vacant Padres managerial position. Servais, who hit .245 as a Major League catcher from 1991-2001, is currently the Angels assistant GM in charge of scouting and player development. During his time with the Rangers, he was credited with being a major factor in Nelson Cruz's development as a hitter.
Bud Black: The former Padres manager is a Northwest native with long ties to the Mariners. A graduate of Mark Morris High in Longview, Wash., Black began his 15-year MLB pitching career with Seattle in 1981. The 58-year-old coached with the Angels from 2000-06, then was manager of the Padres from 2007 until his dismissal in June. He was NL Manager of the Year in 2010 and had a career record of 649-713 with the Padres.
Rick Renteria: The 53-year-old interviewed with former GM Jack Zduriencik for the managerial opening when McClendon was hired two years ago, though talks were brief since he already was lined up to fill the Cubs' vacancy at the same time. The rebuilding Cubs went 73-89 in Renteria's one season, and he was then replaced when Joe Maddon became available. Renteria spent five seasons as an infielder in the Majors, including two years in Seattle (1987-88). He has an extensive background as a coach and manager in MLB and the Minor Leagues, though no prior connect with Dipoto.
Gary DiSarcina: Another Angels connection, the 47-year-old former infielder spent the past season as the third-base coach in Anaheim. He was named the 2013 Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America after guiding the Red Sox's Triple-A Pawtucket club to an 80-63 record. His four-year Minor League managerial record is 205-162, and he's also worked as an assistant to the GM with the Angels from 2011-12. The 1995 AL All-Star shortstop interviewed with the Mariners in 2014 when McClendon was hired.
Joe McEwing: The White Sox third-base coach's name has been mentioned in early speculation as one of the up-and-coming managerial candidates. The 42-year-old spent nine years as a utility player in the Majors, then got into coaching with the White Sox in 2008. He's had a 223-197 record in three seasons as a Minor League manager and was twice Carolina League Manager of the Year at Winston-Salem. He's been the White Sox's third-base coach since 2012.
Omar Vizquel: Probably a long-shot candidate, but Dipoto likes the former Mariners shortstop and brought him to be the Angels' roving infield coordinator for a year until the Tigers hired him away as their first-base coach and infield instructor last season. Vizquel began his playing career with the Mariners from 1989-93 and the 11-time Gold Glove award-winning shortstop maintained a home in the Seattle area throughout his playing career.