A preliminary list of potential Red Sox managerial candidates

In case you missed it, prior to Sunday’s season finale the Red Sox officially announced they would not be bringing back manager Ron Roenicke for the 2021 season. It wasn’t a major surprise as most assumed that would be the case before a game was even played, and the team’s performance certainly didn’t change minds. With the move made, we now know the first official order of business for the team: Find a replacement. There are going to be a lot of names thrown out there, so let’s try and find a preliminary list of guys who could be considered.

• Alex Cora: This is the number one name we’ll hear speculated. After Bloom’s comments on Sunday, I don’t see this one happening, but Cora is clearly the fan favorite. Obviously, we all know the résumé.
• Jason Varitek: This has been the wish for years now, but we’re at a point where it’s no longer so far-fetched. Varitek spent the year in the dugout with the Red Sox this year and has some experience being around this roster in a coaching capacity. I still think it’s unlikely, but it’s not ridiculous. If he doesn’t get it, I’d expect him to at least get very real consideration as the bench coach.
• Carlos Febles: Don’t sleep on him as an in-house candidate. A long-time manager in the minors, Febles has been around this group in the majors, has a relationship with many of the key homegrown players, and is well-liked in the organization.
• Tom Goodwin: You never really hear his name thrown out there in this role, but there’s no doubt the players love him. Probably a long shot.
• Billy McMillon: McMillon has been managing and coaching in other capacities in the organization for over a decade. You don’t stick around that long if you aren’t respected and liked. He deserves real consideration.
• Matt Quatraro: If I were setting up betting on this, Quatraro would be my opening favorite. The Rays bench coach, he has interviewed for multiple jobs around the league, is well-respected in Tampa’s organization, and obviously has connections to Bloom.
• Mark Kotsay: Kotsay has played in Boston and has seen his reputation continue to rise as a coach in this league. He’s currently on staff with the A’s as a quality control coach and interviewed with the Red Sox last winter for the job.
• Luis Urueta: Urueta also interviewed for the Red Sox last winter and he might be the best darkhorse for the job. A coach in the Diamondbacks organization, he’s an up-and-comer and has managing experience for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic as well as in the Dominican Winter League.
• Sam Fuld: Fuld both has a connection to Bloom from his playing days with the Rays and local connections to the Red Sox having grown up in New Hampshire. He’s currently in the Phillies organization.
• Hensley Meulens: Meulens is a personal favorite of mine and it’s crazy he hasn’t gotten a chance yet. He’s managed at a high level for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, he can speak multiple languages to help communication, and learned from one of the best ever from his time working under Bruce Bochy in San Francisco.
• Eduardo Pérez: The ESPN analyst has been getting some buzz the last couple years as a potential manager. There’s been no connection to the Red Sox, but keep his name in mind.
• Marcus Thames: Thames, the current Yankees hitting coach, has been getting some buzz this year with the Tigers opening. He’s well-respected, and perhaps he could provide some insight into how to beat the Yankees.
• George Lombard: Lombard is the first base for the Dodgers and has been getting some buzz as a future manager. He served as a coach in the Red Sox system for a few years earlier last decade, so there’s familiarity here as well.
• Pedro Grifol: Has gotten interviews around the league for a few years now. He’s also worked both on coaching staffs in front offices, which could be a valuable quality to someone like Bloom.
• Sandy Alomar Jr.: Working under Terry Francona, Alomar has long been seen as a future manager. He’s been working as Cleveland’s acting manager for Cleveland as Francona is dealing with health issues.
• Will Venable: It might be a little too early for Venable, but he’s the hot young name in coaching ranks right now.