Skip to content

Report: Ex-Braves skipper Gonzalez favorite to land Tigers job

Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers may be leaning toward putting their rebuilding team into some experienced managerial hands.

Former Atlanta Braves manager and current Miami Marlins third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez has reportedly emerged as the favorite to land the vacant Tigers job, according to John Perrotto of FanRag Sports.

Gonzalez reportedly interviewed for the opening in Detroit earlier this month.

The 53-year-old Gonzalez has spent 10 years as a big-league manager with both the Braves and the then-Florida Marlins, though he's best known for his six-year run in Atlanta that began when he replaced Hall of Famer Bobby Cox in 2011. Under Gonzalez's watch the Braves made their two most recent playoff appearances in 2012 and '13 before embarking on a string of losing seasons. The Braves eventually fired Gonzalez 37 games into their 2016 campaign.

Gonzalez owns a career record of 710-692 over his 1,402 games managed with both Atlanta and the Marlins.

The Tigers' managerial chair opened up after they chose to part ways with Brad Ausmus at season's end. Their 98 losses in 2017 represented their worst showing in 12 years, and also marked the beginning of what's likely to be a full-scale rebuild in Motown.

Other potential candidates who have been previously linked to the open Tigers job reportedly include their current first-base coach Omar Vizquel, and former big-league skipper Lloyd McClendon.

Los Angeles Dodgers farm director and former Tigers player Gabe Kapler is also reportedly garnering some consideration from within the team's front office, Perrotto reports.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox