While the Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals moved relatively quickly to fill their vacant managerial positions, the Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to make a hire and are the lone team without a manager in place.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the intention is to hire a manager before the Winter Meetings begin Dec. 7 in Nashville, Tenn., and with former Angels outfielder Darin Erstad expected to interview next week, a decision appears to be at least a handful of days away.
While the managerial position remains fluid, the Dodgers appear to be closing in on retaining pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. On Friday it was reported Honeycutt was in discussions to re-sign on a multiyear deal.
According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, the Dodgers and Honeycutt are closing in on a deal:
Sources: Rick Honeycutt very close to signing multiyear extension with #Dodgers. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 31, 2015
If a contract is agreed upon, Morosi reports Honeycutt will eventually transition from pitching coach to an assistant role:
Sources: Rick Honeycutt expected to remain pitching coach for two seasons, then transition into special assistant role. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 31, 2015
Friedman confirmed last week the contracts of the coaching staff expired when the Dodgers’ season ended. He didn’t rule out any of the coaches being retained, but also said the staff was told they were free to seek employment with other teams.
Tim Wallach interviewed for manager openings in San Diego and Washington, and was passed over for both positions.
Honeycutt has served as the Dodgers’ pitching coach for the last 10 seasons. Should he return with the club in 2016, he will have been a holdover under four managerial changes; previously coaching under Grady Little, Joe Torre and Mattingly.
The Dodgers pitching staff this season ranked fifth overall with a 3.46 ERA and third with a 1.18 WHIP. The Dodgers’ 23.5 strikeout percentage was good for third-best in the Majors.
