CLEVELAND, Ohio — In their end-of-the-season press conference, the Guardians said they had compiled a list of 45-48 people in their search to replace Terry Francona as manager.
It’s believed that list has narrowed since early October, as the Guardians have been interviewing internal and external candidates not involved or recently jettisoned from the postseason.
It’s not known if Tampa Bay’s Kevin Cash, Milwaukee’s Craig Counsell and the Yankees’ Aaron Boone were on the Guardians’ list, but it appears as if Cash and Boone will be staying with their teams.
Cash, signed through next year with a club option for 2025, recently said he was “very happy” in Tampa after the Rays were swept in the wild card series by Texas despite winning 99 games during the regular season.
If the Guardians were going to pursue Cash, they would have had to make a trade for him. The last time that happened, the Red Sox sent utility man Mike Aviles to Toronto for manager John Farrell in October 2012.
Boone’s Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in six years when they went 82-80. But indications are that Boone will return as New York’s manager next year.
Counsell’s Brewers won the NL Central this year with a 92-70 record. It was the fifth time in the last six years that the Brewers have made the postseason. They were swept in the NL wild card series by Arizona, which has all but put Counsell on the open market.
His contract expires at the end of October. The Brewers want Counsell back, but many feel he’s headed to the Mets to join David Stearns, Milwaukee’s former president of baseball operations.
The Guardians have also been connected to Will Venable, associate manager of the Texas Rangers. But late Wednesday night MLB’s Jon Morosi on X, formerly Twitter, reported Venable has told teams he’s staying with the Rangers.
Venable was a college teammate of Cleveland GM Mike Chernoff at Princeton. Venable was reportedly a candidate for more than the Guardians’ job. The Mets, Angels and Giants are looking for managers as well.
Meanwhile, the Guardians continue to interview candidates.
Craig Albernaz, Giants bullpen and catching coach, was reportedly scheduled to interview this week. Another report had the Guardians interested in Yankee bench coach Carlos Mendoza.
Regarding internal candidates, Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, said popular first base coach Sandy Alomar declined to interview for the job. Alomar, 57, just completed his 14th year on the Guardians’ coaching staff. Antonetti said he will remain on the coaching staff regardless of the next manager.
Third base coach Mike Sarbaugh did not interview for the job. Sarbaugh, 56, has been in Cleveland’s organization as a player, coach and manager since 1990. He just finished his 11th season on the big league coaching staff.
It’s believed that John McDonald, the Guardians’ minor league field coordinator, has interviewed or will interview.
McDonald, 49, played 16 years in the big leagues as a utility infielder. He was drafted by Cleveland in the 12th round in 1996. The slick-fielding McDonald spent part of seven seasons with the Indians and Blue Jays.
He just finished his fourth season as minor league field coordinator. He joined Cleveland as a special assistant after retiring as a player in 2015. He became the infield coordinator in 2016 and defensive coordinator in 2018.