The Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Don Mattingly mutually agreed to part ways Thursday, according to the club’s official Twitter account. Now, the search for a new manager is underway.
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Gabe Kapler Being Considered For Position
Friday, Oct. 23
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported “numerous people” in the industry would be shocked if Gabe Kapler was not named Dodgers manager in the next 24 hours. Rosenthal noted Kepler’s relationship with team president Andrew Friedman would be “paramount” in the search.
Both Buster Olney of ESPN.com and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the Dodgers were beginning the process of hiring a new manager, with Gabe Kapler as one of the team’s candidates. Olney described Kapler as a “serious frontrunner” for the gig.
Kapler, 40, is the Dodgers minor league director and, as Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times noted, has more managerial experience than Mattingly did when he took the job. He spent one season as a Class A manager and is also a former player who spent 12 seasons in the major leagues.
Kapler certainly won’t be the only candidate, however. Shaikin speculated Chicago Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez, former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach and Dodgers third base coach Ron Roenicke would also be considered for the gig.
The job will certainly be a premier one for potential managers. The Dodgers have a talented cast of players already in place, led by starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw. While the gig does present its challenges—dealing with the pressure of having one of baseball’s biggest payrolls and the expectations that follow, or getting the best out of outfielder Yasiel Puig—no current managerial openings come with a roster loaded with so much talent.
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