The Texas Rangers have trimmed the field for the managerial job to three with Tim Bogar, Jeff Banister and Kevin Cash the finalists for the job.
The replacement for Ron Washington could come by the end of the week as the club is expected to do a second round of interviews over the next few days.
Bogar is the only in-house choice as neither pitching coach Mike Maddux nor Triple A manager Steve Buechele made the final cut. Bogar has the benefit of managing the Rangers after Ron Washington's resignation. He started the season as the club's bench coach but ended it with a 14-8 stretch as the interim manager.
Banister has spent the last four seasons as the bench coach for Clint Hurdle in Pittsburgh. Hurdle was the Rangers' hitting coaching for their first trip to the World Series in 2010. His managing experience is limited to five years in the minor leagues. The former big leaguer went to high school in the Houston area and attended the University of Houston.
At 36 Cash is by far the youngest option and has no managerial experience. He ended his playing career in 2011 and was an advance scout in 2012 for Toronto. He's spent the last two seasons in Cleveland serving as the bullpen coach for Terry Francona's team.
The Rangers also interviewed Torey Lovullo, Alex Cora and Joe McEwing.
Maddux took the news in stride. Following his interview with the Rangers he went to Surprise and worked with the pitchers in the instructional league.
"My commitment to the Rangers organization and the players has never wavered," said Maddux, who is in final season of his contract but wants to remain with the club.
