Arizona Diamondbacks Rumor: Cora to Interview for Managerial Position
The Arizona Diamondbacks need a new manager.
According to Jon Heyman of fanragsports.com, they might have their guy, as the team is set to interview Alex Cora for the position this week.
Cora played in the major leagues for 14-seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals. Cora has been featured on ESPN as a TV analyst, and will be the general manager of the Puerto Rican national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He has also held the general manager position with the Criollos de Caguas, a winter league team in the Puerto Rican Baseball League.
While he has no coaching experience in the majors or minors, he has been considered for many managerial positions over the last few seasons. Cora has been interviewed by the Padres, Marlins, Nationals, and Mariners in recent off-seasons.
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Cora, like Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo who is also rumored to be in the running to become the Diamondbacks next skipper, has prior experience with new general manager Mike Hazen. As Cora was a member of the Indians and Sox from 2005-08, Hazen was also there, holding a position in the front offices of both teams.
A potential rookie manager would match the youth of the Diamondbacks roster. Cora has experience with working in a clubhouse, and does it well.
"Thirty minutes before first pitch at Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales, Alex Cora is working the rail at the home dugout on the third base side like it’s a receiving line at a wedding reception. He stops and greets every player on Los Criollos de Caguas, shaking hands, slapping palms and offering encouragement. If not for the fact that he’s in a short-sleeved plaid shirt with a backpack slung over his shoulder, you’d think the smiling 38-year-old was one of the players."
Although Hazen intends to look at “5-7 candidates” the search is seemingly underway, as the interview process with Cora begins next week.
The Diamondbacks needed a change due to a 148-176 (.457) record in Hale’s two years as manager, which resulted in third and fourth place finishes in their National League West division.