Multiple reports cite Tracy, Hale, Nevin, Alomar Jr. as finalists
PHOENIX -- Multiple reports say the Diamondbacks pared their list of managerial candidates to three or four finalists and could announce Kirk Gibson's replacement as early as Monday, though a team source told FOX Sports Arizona finalists have not been determined.
USA Today, citing its own sources, listed former NL manager of the year Jim Tracy, former Arizona third base coach Chip Hale, Triple-A Reno manager Phil Nevin and Cleveland bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. as the finalists. Hale and Alomar Jr. also are connected with the vacant Minnesota opening, and Hale interviewed there.
The D-backs interviewed nine candidates, and team officials said early in the process they will consider those with and without managerial experience. Chief baseball officer Tony La Russa appeared to signal that experience is preferable when he said "it is also possible that we will look for somebody who has pulled the trigger before" the day after the end of the season.
Tracy, who has 11 years of managerial experience, is the only finalist who has managed in the big leagues. He spent nine seasons in the NL West, with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2001-05) and Colorado (2009-12). He also managed Pittsburgh in 2006-07.
Hale has been the Oakland bench coach under former D-backs manager Bob Melvin the last three seasons, and he is widely believed to have been the second choice when Seattle hired Lloyd McClendon last winter. Hale, pitching coach Bryan Price and bench coach Gibson were passed over when A.J. Hinch was hired to replace Melvin in May 2009.
Nevin was in his first year as a manager in Reno this season. Alomar has spent the last three seasons at Cleveland's bench coach.
Tracy and Nevin could be on the D-backs staff, with one serving as bench coach, the USA Today report said. It is understood pitching adviser Dave Duncan will have a greater role next season.
Tracy said he wants to manage again, and he called Arizona "an intriguing situation." He interviewed last week.
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