Source: Nats interview Wotus for managerial opening
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ron Wotus, who has spent 25 years with the Giants as a Major League coach and Minor League manager, was scheduled to interview Monday for the Washington Nationals' managerial opening, an industry source said Friday.
Wotus, 54, previously interviewed for managerial jobs in Pittsburgh, Seattle and Tampa Bay. He'll face considerable competition for the Nationals job from other candidates such as former Giants manager Dusty Baker, Bud Black, Ron Gardenhire and Phil Nevin.
As manager Bruce Bochy's bench coach, Wotus has been delegated considerable authority. He's largely responsible for positioning and tutoring San Francisco's infielders, with whom he discusses strategy and tactics before each game. Wotus has been instrumental in helping Brandon Crawford develop into an All-Star shortstop and Gold Glove candidate. Wotus also worked extensively with Matt Duffy this season, and he helped him become a capable third baseman. At Duffy's position in 2014, the rookie started just three Minor League games and played three Major League innings.
Wotus has the blessing of the entire Giants organization, which believes he should have received a big league managerial job long ago. Some team officials feared that other clubs perceived Wotus was stuck with the Giants, and that he's not adaptable or qualified enough to go elsewhere.
However, Wotus' quarter-century with San Francisco more accurately reflects his value to the organization. After amassing a 555-411 managerial record in the Minors from 1991-97 at Class A Advanced San Jose, as well as at Double- and Triple-A, Wotus was elevated to Baker's coaching staff. Upon succeeding Baker as Giants manager before the 2003 season, Felipe Alou regarded Wotus highly enough to retain him. Bochy did the same when he became manager following the 2006 campaign.
The Nationals created the opening by firing former Giants slugger Matt Williams earlier this month. If they were to hire Wotus, he would become the second prominent coach in two years to leave the Giants. Third-base coach Tim Flannery retired after the 2014 World Series-winning season in an amicable parting with the club.