The Arizona Diamondbacks are still facing a busy winter as they search for a new manager even though they already found their general manager in Mike Hazen.
Continue for updates.
Wakamatsu Linked to D-Backs
Sunday, Oct. 30
Today’s Knuckleball’s Jon Heyman, citing sources, reported that Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu will interview for the Diamondbacks’ vacant position.
Heyman added that Wakamatsu “managed the Seattle Mariners for 2009 and most of 2010. Many people were impressed by his smarts, and some others thought he got a raw deal.”
The Diamondbacks are coming off a 69-93 season, which was the second time in three years they have won less than 70 games.
Whoever is hired as Arizona’s manager, they will be the third manager in four seasons and will be tasked with trying to guide the team to a winning season and the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Former Infielder Cora to Be Interviewed
Saturday, Oct. 29
Heyman, citing sources, reported that the Diamondbacks have secured an interview for the manager vacancy with former big league infielder Alex Cora.
The Diamondbacks hired Hazen on Oct. 16, per Heyman, which is why Cora’s name could have cropped up for this job.
Cora played 14 major league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians. When Cora played for the Indians in 2005 and with the Red Sox from 2006-08, Hazen was an executive for both of those teams. After spending two seasons as Cleveland’s assistant director of player development, Hazen was hired by the Red Sox, where he rose up the ranks to general manager.
According to John Marshall of the Associated Press (h/t the Washington Times), Hazen left the Red Sox for the Diamondbacks in October for more control as he was also given the tag of vice president in Arizona.
While Cora is currently serving as an analyst on ESPN, he has interviewed for a number of jobs in the past, including openings with the Nationals, San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins in 2015, per Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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