https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/02/boston-red-sox-manager-search-carlos-febles-ron-roenicke-have-interviewed-for-opening.html
The Red Sox have interviewed two internal candidates — third base coach Carlos Febles and bench coach Ron Roenicke — for their managerial opening, sources confirmed Tuesday.
Febles and Roenicke are the third and fourth candidates known to have interviewed to replace Alex Cora, who was let go last month after being implicated in the league’s investigation into the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Diamondbacks bench coach Luis Urueta and Athletics quality control coach Mark Kotsay have also spoken with Sox brass in recent weeks, though the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday that Kotsay is no longer in the running for the position.
If the Red Sox choose to hire an internal candidate, Febles and Roenicke appear to be the top two options. Special assistant Jason Varitek is considered a longshot.
Any internal hire might be delayed by the league’s ongoing investigation into alleged electronic sign-stealing by the Red Sox in 2018. Though new chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said the investigation would not have a direct impact on his search, it stands to reason that he Bloom will want to make sure his choice is not implicated in any wrongdoing.
“Given that we don’t really know exactly when that process is going to wrap up, it’s not something we’re trying to connect with this,” Bloom said on Jan. 23. “Obviously, it’s a really important process. The findings will be really important. But it’s not something we can control other than facilitating it fully. So we’re trying not to have it have bearing on this."
Boston is likely considering other candidates, with Nationals first base coach Tim Bogar, White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing and Phillies executive Sam Fuld among the potential other external candidates. It’s unclear when a decision will be made, though team brass has said it would be “ideal” to have a manager in place before pitchers and catchers report to spring training next Wednesday.