Report: D-Backs' Gardenhire, Cubs' Martinez in running to manage Tigers
The Detroit Tigers' managerial race is heating up, and it appears some familiar names are entering the fray.
Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach Ron Gardenhire and Chicago Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez are both under consideration for the vacant Tigers job, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Gardenhire reportedly interviewed with Detroit on Tuesday, according to Katie Strang of The Athletic. The 59-year-old is also being courted by the Boston Red Sox and had an interview for that managerial job on Wednesday, per CSN Boston's Evan Drellich.
Gardenhire is a familiar face to Tigers fans, having spent 13 years managing their division rival, the Minnesota Twins. In 2009, Gardenhire's Twins eliminated the Tigers from the playoffs in a one-game tiebreaker that went to extra innings.
Martinez has served as Joe Maddon's bench coach and right-hand man with both the Tampa Bay Rays and Cubs since the 2008 season. The 53-year-old played 16 seasons in the majors for several teams but has never managed at any level; he has, however, interviewed unsuccessfully for multiple managerial openings during past offseasons.
It's unclear if Detroit has been granted permission to speak with Martinez or if he's even interviewed for the job, given the Cubs are still alive in the playoffs. According to Heyman, however, all 10 of the remaining candidates for the Detroit job have apparently received interviews.
Other candidates to take over the Tigers from the departed Brad Ausmus, per Heyman's report, include onetime Atlanta Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies coach Mike Redmond, and Chicago White Sox coach Joe McEwing.
Gonzalez was reported to have emerged as the favorite to land the position last week.