Who Will Be Next

The search for a new manager will begin in earnest now that the team has relieved John Russell of his duties. The coaching staff too will be looking for new employment as well, but could be back. I am sure that John Bannister will be back with the organization in some capacity and it looks as though Searage might as well.

Those jobs probably won't be as the big league manager so the team will probably look outside the organization for a new skipper. As such here is a list a few that came to the top of my head and with a little bit of thinking put into it as well.

First I would think that the guys that Huntington interviewed when he hired Russell will make the list, except for Trent Jewett, whom probably will not get a phone call this time. Those gentlemen are:

Joey Cora - bit of a rising star in the MLB coaching ranks
Joel Skinner - seemingly has been everywhere in the Indians system, recently at AA Akron
Dave Jauss - currently the Mets bench coach for how long

Added to that list I present the following that would probably be on the list. Do I think they all would make good managers for us? Perhaps not, but I could see a case being made for each.

Willie Randolph - former Bucco is one of the top guys to take over in Milwaukee, but if he lost out on the job he would surely be a candidate
Dale Svuem - former Bucco and Curve skipper, Svuem has made stops at Boston and even managed in the playoffs for Milwaukee. I think he would be an excellent choice.
Don Baylor - He has been all over and is the Rockies hitting coach. Maybe a little older, but could be our Dusty Baker like candidate.
John Farrell - Huntington really liked him the first time, but could not talk to him. Who knows if time has changed the Red Sox thinking.
Brad Komminsk - Bowie's AA manager, has been a minor league star as a manager.
Tony Pena - Could his second big league job be the one that works out? Currently with the Yankees.
Clint Hurdle - May be too high profile, but would be a good fit.
Wally Backman - Rumors circulated this summer that the team could look to Backman. He was back with the Mets in the NYP, but there is a lot of baggage.
Eric Wedge - former AL Manager of the Year. Obvious ties to Huntington. Has had success and experience in the same phase of rebuilding.
Andy Van Slyke - I think I heard in an interview that Van Slyke would be open to interviewing. He has no real managing experience, but would be a huge hometown favorite.

Out of all of those names, I would say that the guys that are my favorites are Wedge, Svuem, Randolph, Farrell, and Cora. Personally I would really like Wedge or Svuem. I am sure that someone is also calling into a talk show right now and making the case for Bob Walk, though I do not see that one happening at all.