We assume - and very likely assume correctly - that the Orioles will not begin interviewing for their open managing position until they hire a new general manager or someone with those duties and another title.
But other clubs are also in the market for new managers, and they have been moving along with the process of hiring a new skipper. The Cincinnati Reds have been very active. Per MLBTradeRumors.com, the Reds have interviewed interim manager Jim Riggleman and a few of his staff, including bench coach Pat Kelly, third base coach Billy Hatcher and first base coach Freddie Benavides.
Some feel John Farrell is the favorite to get this job, as he was already in the organization as a Reds scout and advisor. Farrell, who has already interviewed, managed the Boston Red Sox from 2013 to 2017, and they won the World Series in his first season.
The Reds have also interviewed former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Pirates bench coach Tom Prince, former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and Giants farm director David Bell.
They may soon interview Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo, Giants bench coach Hensley Muelens and possibly Eduardo Perez, a former player and coach and current broadcaster.
I count that as nine interviewed already, and that list may grow to 12 or more. The Reds have been busy.
Will any of the above names eventually make it to the Orioles' list for interviews?
The Minnesota Twins also have an opening for a manager, but they have been much less active than the Reds. The Twins have interviewed hitting coach James Rowson. They are expected to interview bench coach Derek Shelton and former players Mark DeRosa and David Ross, a member of the world champion Cubs in 2016.
The list of prospective candidates the Twins may talk with or seem to have some interest in includes Rocco Baldelli, the Rays' field coordinator. This list also includes Milwaukee bench coach Pat Murphy and Cleveland bench coach Brad Mills.
So, a lot of names here, and some of them could surface as candidates in Baltimore. Of course, it is extremely hard to handicap anything in the dugout with the Orioles until we know the person taking the GM role.But what should the Orioles be looking for here? Should a team that has struggled with its pitching so much in recent years look for a skipper with a background in pitching or pitcher development? How about the ability to develop young players at the major league level? How about the use of analytics? How about dealing with the media?
Just what should be important for the Orioles when they begin their search for the 20th manager in team history?