LAS VEGAS—Orioles executive vice president and Mike Elias has interviewed six candidates to replace Buck Showalter as manager, and he expects to choose one from that group.
Speaking on the first day of the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Elias said he hopes to have a new manager by the end of the month.
“We’re pretty far along in the manager’s search,” Elias said.
Three of the reported candidates have major league experience: Chip Hale (Arizona), Mike Redmond (Miami), and Manny Acta, whose interview was reported by FanCred sports. Acta has managed the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians, and is the Seattle Mariners’ third base coach.
The reported candidates who don’t have major league managerial experience are Mike Bell, Pedro Grifol and Brandon Hyde.
Elias wouldn’t comment specifically on the candidates and said no offer has been made.
“One thing that’s been pretty clear to me through this is that there’s a reason that these guys have put themselves into a position to be considered as major league managers,” Elias said.
“They’re very impressive candidates all around. We have a good choice to make, but it’s a difficult decision to make. I think we have a lot of good choices. I’m still in the process of doing deeper background work on the candidates right now.”
In his introductory press conference on Nov. 19, Elias said he felt having a manager in place by the Winter Meetings set up an “artificial deadline.”
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“This is a big hire,” Elias said. “This is somebody who’s going to be here for a long time.”
Orioles add an infielder
Earlier in the day, Elias made his first acquisition of a major league player, picking up third baseman Rio Ruiz on waivers from Atlanta. Elias drafted Ruiz for Houston in 2012. He was sent to the Braves in 2015. In 72 games over the past three seasons, Ruiz has hit .189.
“I can’t say that the factor that he was drafted by us with the Astros was a huge factor in it other than the comfort in that you know he’s a good person and a good teammate,” Elias said.
“We feel he’s a good fit for us right now. He’s a left-handed bat. His primary position is third base. We have a need for some depth there. We have an opportunity for some competition there. The fact that he’s left-handed and Renato Nunez is right-handed works out well.”
The Orioles lost pitcher Ryan Meisinger on waivers to St. Louis. Meisinger, who was drafted in the 11th round in 2015, was 2-1 with a 6.43 ERA in 18 games last season.
Three days before the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles still have 38 players on the roster. Elias said he is “game planning” to make two selections in the draft, though the team may not make a second pick. The Orioles will choose first on Thursday.
BirdsCaps
December 11, 2018 at 12:20 am
Not one of these names is all that impressive, but I didn’t think they would be. I am going out on a limb and saying whoever is hired will last no longer than 3 seasons. By the time we are competitive, someone else will be at the helm.
whiterose
December 11, 2018 at 12:25 am
exactly
cedar
December 11, 2018 at 8:04 am
Agree. Just as they begin to be competitive they’ll likely need a new manager to get them over the hump.
Hallbe62
December 11, 2018 at 1:06 am
Ahh, the infamous Rule 5 draft. That’s nothing the Orioles would know about…..right ?
VICTORTEE
December 11, 2018 at 9:25 am
As a fan of the Braves as well as the O’s, I can tell you this about Rio Ruiz. Even in the minors he didn’t hit for high averages, had little power, no speed and is questionable defensively at third.
WOO! HOO!
PC in OC
December 11, 2018 at 10:26 am
Bring Back BUCK. All of your candidates, don’t have what Buck brings, Success!
Rich Dubroff
December 11, 2018 at 1:02 pm
PC, Buck Showalter won’t be walking through that door.
GSISDANNO
December 11, 2018 at 11:37 am
Some of the best managers have been unknowns before they were hired. Do you think Cincinnati fans were excited when Sparky Anderson was hired? Who was fired up when the Orioles hired Earl Weaver? Nobody ever heard of Tony Larussa when the White Sox hired him. Major league history is filled with no-names who turned out to be great managers – Dick Williams, Bobby Cox, Jim Leyland, Tom Kelly, Walter Alston.
Give them a chance.
OsfaninNC
December 11, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Please stop making sense—- it confuses people
Rich Dubroff
December 11, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Danno, I think you have made some excellent points.