Ausmus, Cora & Varitek lead potential candidates to be next Red Sox manager

With the firing of John Farrell today, the Red Sox will be in the market for the 47th manager in team history, and their fourth in eight seasons, following Terry Francona, Bobby Valentine and Farrell.

The decision on the next manager, while certainly with a heavy amount of input from ownership, will largely be made by Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

For someone who’s been in the game for 40 years, Dombrowski doesn’t appear to have a long list of acolytes to whom he could turn to in this situation. In fact, in his last 12 years as either GM or president, Dombrowski has hired just two managers: Jim Leyland and Brad Ausmus.

And that's where we'll start our list of possible candidates to succeed Farrell:

Brad Ausmus

The former Major League catcher was not retained by the Tigers after four seasons and a 314-332 record. He was hired by Dombrowski after the 2014 season. The two worked together until early August '15, when Dombrowski himself got fired. Dombrowski was said to be impressed with Ausmus’s managerial ability and he still views him positively.

Ausmus didn’t win much in Detroit, though he did finish first in '14. After that, the Tigers finished fifth, second and fourth. Ironically, Ausmus was left to manage a core group that, under Dombrowski, had aged, with the farm system depleted for short-term gain.

Ausmus has plenty of New England ties. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Dartmouth and at one point, owned a house on the Cape.

Ausmus could be in play for both openings with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies and hasn’t definitively determined that he wants to return to the dugout immediately.



Alex Cora

The former Major League infielder and current Astros bench coach is one of the hottest names on the market, with his name already linked to the Phillies and Mets jobs.

He's the general manager for a team in his hometown in Puerto Rico, and was also the general manager for the territory's entry in the recent World Baseball Classic. The former ESPN analyst previously interviewed for openings with the Rangers, Padres and Diamondbacks.

"I'm happy for him that his name is being talked about," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said recently. "It's no surprise. It's very talented. He's interviewed for a few jobs before. He's equipped to handle this job whenever somebody sees him as a fit. His relatability skills to players, his baseball intellect, all impressive. His transition to coaching has gone well and I think his name will always be in the middle of the conversation until the right fit is found. But he will manage. Not a doubt in my mind."



Jason Varitek

The former Red Sox captain seems to being groomed for something larger since coming aboard as special assistant in the organization in 2012. He expanded his role under Dombrowski, as he was more hands-on with players, as a scout and helping out with the amateur draft.

Varitek hinted during his induction into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in '16 that he could have an eye on managing at some point.

“Having been part of the front office and having the ability to still get on the field everywhere I go, I know I have more impact on the field,” Varitek said during a '16 conference call. “Where that role takes me, through time, I’m not positive when that will be, but I think my greatest impact to give back to the game is on the field.”

Varitek doesn't have any managerial experience, but that hasn't stopped other teams from hiring recent Major League players like Mike Matheny, Walt Weiss and Robin Ventura.



Gary Disarcina

The Billerica native and UMass grad just completed his first season as Farrell's bench after three seasons as one of Mike Scioscia's lieutenants with the Angels. All four seasons of his managerial experience has come in the Red Sox organization: Lowell ('07-09), Pawtucket ('13). Posted a winning record each time and won three division titles. Was named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America for his season with the PawSox. Plus, he has NESN experience. We all know that's a plus to at least someone in ownership.



Chili Davis

It is expected, as one league source told Sean McAdam, that Major League Baseball will put a lot of pressure on the Red Sox to strongly consider multiple minority candidates. Davis, who just completed his third season as hitting coach, is very popular with the players. Has no managerial experience.



DeMarlo Hale 

The current Blue Jays bench coach and former Red Sox third base and bench coach under Terry Francona interviewed for the Red Sox job in 2012, when it went to Farrell. Hale has done a little of everything for the Red Sox during his playing and coaching career. He's well respected by players and knows how to walk the line between having their trust, and being tough on them. Has nine years of managerial experience (637-615) in the minor leagues. Led Trenton Thunder to first place finish in 1999.

Other possible candidates

Jim Leyland: Says he's retired and he'll be 73 in December, but it's possible that Dombrowski has one more Leyland stint left.

Joe Girardi: Considering his replay gaffe in Game 2 of the ALDS, it would not be a surprise of the Yankees fire Girardi if they look tonight's deciding game to the Indians. Good in-game manager.

David Ross: Former Red Sox and Cubs World Series winner is popular among everyone in baseball. Has even less experience than Varitek.

Gabe Kapler: The former Red Sox outfielder has been the director of player development from the Dodgers and was in the mix to succeed Don Mattingly as manager before Dave Roberts got the job.

Mark Loretta: Started the 2006 All-Star Game at second base as a representative of the Red Sox. Currently a special assistant for baseball operations for the Padres.

Joe McEwing: A former utility player for nine seasons in the majors, McEwing is the third-base coach for the White Sox and has gained attention from other clubs as a managerial candidate. He spent one season in the Red Sox organization and played the entire year for Triple-A Pawtucket.