The Cleveland Guardians are in the market for a new manager after Terry Francona stepped down following an 11-year tenure.
As far as who might be next, Jon Heyman of the New York Post provided a list of candidates, including Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell and New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza.
As Heyman noted, though, Cleveland landing Counsell might be a tough task, especially with interest from the New York Mets as well as the Brewers, who want him back after his contract expires at the end of October.
Entering 2023, Cleveland had made the playoffs five of the past seven seasons, including a 2016 World Series appearance. The Guardians were also coming off a 92-win campaign that resulted in an AL Central title and a Wild Card Series win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
But the 2023 season did not go well. Cleveland went a disappointing 76-86 that resulted in the team finishing third in the AL Central.
The Guardians encountered significant troubles at the dish all year, finishing last in the American League in home runs (124) and fourth-last in runs (662) and OPS (.695).
The pitching staff, which was the calling card of the 2022 team, didn’t fare as well in 2023, finishing eighth in the AL in ERA (3.99).
So the future Cleveland manager has some work to do to turn the team around, but it’s not as if the new leader will have to start from the ground floor and build the Guardians back up either. There’s enough talent on this team to compete for the playoffs, especially in a weaker AL Central where only one team (the Minnesota Twins) finished above .500.
Cleveland also has a good list of candidates to start.
Even if Counsell heads elsewhere, the Guardians are considering a talented group that includes longtime MLB veteran Stephen Vogt, who was scheduled for a second interview with the team, per Tom Withers of the Associated Press. Vogt, who played 11 seasons, served as the Seattle Mariners’ bullpen and quality control coach in 2023.
Mendoza has a wealth of experience, playing minor league ball for 13 years before serving the Yankees in various capacities since 2009.
Andy Green served as the San Diego Padres’ manager for four years before working as the Chicago Cubs’ bench coach for the past four.
Craig Albernaz played minor league ball for nine years before coaching in the minors for five more. He’s been the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen and catching coach since the 2020 season.
Cleveland is one of five teams looking for a new manager alongside the Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres. If Counsell leaves the Brewers, then Milwaukee will be in the market for one too.