Following Bud Black’s firing, who could be the Rockies’ next manager? Colorado named third base coach Warren Schaeffer the interim manager on Sunday, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be the guy next spring. Here are 10 candidates to take the permanent job as the Rockies lurch toward a third straight 100-loss season.
Schaeffer: Colorado’s third base and infield coach for three seasons, Schaeffer previously managed the Triple-A Isotopes before landing with the Rockies. A former minor league player in the Rockies system, the 40-year-old has the energy and perspective to possibly lead a rebuild. He’ll get the rest of the season to show what he’s got.
Clint Hurdle: Hurdle is 1,269-1,345 in 17 seasons as a manager, eight for the Rockies and nine for the Pirates. He helmed four playoff teams, most notably Colorado’s 2007 World Series run. He was promoted to hitting coach in April. A return to the manager’s office feels unlikely given he was just named the bench coach, but Colorado could do worse.
Joe Girardi: A 15-year big-leaguer who played for Colorado from 1993 to ’95, Girardi is now a broadcaster for YES Network. He managed the Marlins in 2006, the Yankees from 2008 to 2017 and the Phillies from 2020 to 2022. He won the 2009 World Series with New York and has a 1,120-935 record.
Jayce Tingler: The Twins’ bench coach was 116-106 in two seasons as the Padres manager in 2020 and ’21. The Rockies looked within the division to an ex-Padres skipper when they hired Black; maybe Monfort & Co. see the 44-year-old Tingler as someone who could bring a spark.
Skip Schumaker: He was 146-178 in two seasons as the Marlins manager in 2023 and ’24, including a playoff berth in his first year that resulted in NL Manager of the Year. The 11-year MLB veteran is 45 and could identify with a young clubhouse. He is a senior adviser for the Rangers.
Rodney Linares: Linares managed at every level of the minors for the Astros while garnering a reputation for player development, something the Rockies need. He is the bench coach for the Rays, a small-market team that has consistent success, and that the Rockies should try to emulate.
David Ross: The 15-year MLB catcher who won two World Series titles as a player — including a home run in Game 7 of his final game — was the Cubs manager from 2020 to ’23, with a 262-284 record and one playoff appearance. The 48-year-old can bring intellect and fire to the bench.
Ryan Flaherty: The 38-year-old Cubs bench coach played eight MLB seasons as an infield utilityman, most recently with Cleveland in 2019. He’s young to get a manager job, but guys like Kevin Cash, Oliver Marmol and Dave Roberts also all managed their first seasons before age 45.
Brad Ausmus: An 18-year MLB catching veteran, Ausmus managed the Tigers from 2014 to ’17 and the Angels in 2019. He posted a 386-422 record over five seasons with one playoff appearance, his first year in Detroit. The 56-year-old is in his second year as the Yankees’ bench coach.
Walt Weiss: For an insular organization like the Rockies that leans on familiarity when making important hires, Weiss could make sense. The former Rockies shortstop was 283-365 in four seasons from 2013 to ’16, and he’s served as the Braves’ bench coach since 2018. Why not reunite?
10 other names that might be considered: David Bell, Buck Showalter, Gabe Kapler, Bobby Meacham, Kai Correa, Craig Albernaz, George Lombard, Kevin Long, Adam Ottavino, Don Mattingly.
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