Charlie Manuel still wants to manage. Manuel is not a quitter and not the type to ever want to give it up. Manuel was offered a job in the Phillies organization as a special hitting instructor and consultant, but so far he has not bit on the opportunity, perhaps holding out for an opportunity to manage somewhere else. It appears that the opportunity simply does not exist as teams continue to look in a direction other than Manuel.
Here are some of the managerial vacancies and how they went:
Detroit Tigers – Manuel would have liked the opportunity to manage the Detroit Tigers, even appearing on a Detroit radio station and stating as much. However, the Detroit Tigers have settled on long-time catcher Brad Ausmus, who was working in the San Diego Padres front office. The Tigers have a press conference scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today.
Washington Nationals – This was the first place people speculated that Manuel could manage. Former Phillies outfielder had plenty of nice things to say when he was asked about Manuel's manager abilities. But ultimately the Nationals hired Matt Williams to manage the team. Williams is a friend of General Manager Mike Rizzo and a seasoned coach. This will be Williams' first manager opportunity.
Kansas City Royals – Many called for the firing of Royals manager Ned Yost after the Royals missed the playoff after loading up on talent such as James Shields and Ervin Santana to compliment offensive talents Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, and Eric Hosmer. Jayson Stark reported that Manuel would "love" to manage the Royals at one point down the stretch when it appeared the Royals would miss the playoffs. Yet, Nost was given a contract extension to stay as manager.
Cincinnati Reds – The Reds dismissed manager Dusty Baker after the Reds made a quick exit in the Wild Card round. It took many by surprise; the Reds front office was so angry after that loss they wasted no time in letting Baker go. Bryan Price, the Reds pitching coach whom the Phillies had hoped they could hire to be theirs, was named manager without much of a search. It does not appear that the Reds considered Manuel.
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs dismissed Dale Sveum after he reportedly did not follow up on some goals that the team set up at the All-Star break. On a rebuilding team that still needs time to contend, it is rare that a manager would be dismissed. The Cubs are looking for a young manager who could help bring the young talent along. Among the names being considered according to a report in the Chicago Tribune are former Phillie Torey Lovullo, bench coach for the Boston Red Sox, former big league managers A.J. Hinch and Manny Acta, Padres bench coach Rick Renteria, and Rays bench coach Dave Martinez. Manuel does not appear to be on the Cubs' radar.
Seattle Mariners – Eric Wedge's contract had an option year that he could exercise or not exercise. With the Mariners willing to let Wedge be a lame duck for another season, Wedge instead decided to "honor the terms of his contract" and leave when it was up. It appears the Mariners are looking for a young coach to be the next manager. Seattlepi.com mentions Lovullo, Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach, Athletics bench coach Chip Hale, Marlins bench coach Joey Cora and their AAA manager Corey Brown as possibilities in Seattle.
That's it. There are no other managerial openings and it would be unlikely to see another manager dismissed now. The Los Angeles Dodgers tried to bait Don Mattingly into quitting, but he is not the quitting-type.
Manuel can accept the position the Phillies offered him and hope that another team needs him mid-season to help a team who let a manager go in the spirit of Jack McKeon did twice with the Miami Marlins. Or, of course Manuel could do nothing. But it looks like Manuel will not be managing in 2014.
