The Seattle Mariners once traded Jason Varitek away from the organization. In search of a new voice for its vacant managerial position, the club has apparently contacted Varitek about a potential return.
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Varitek, Cora and Bogar Candidates for Mariners Gig
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported the Mariners have interviewed Varitek for the position. It's unclear what level of interest he has or if he's even the leading candidate. The longtime Red Sox catcher remains employed with the organization as a special assistant to the general manager and is said to be apprehensive about leaving Boston.
Varitek, 43, spent his entire MLB career with the Red Sox from 1997 to 2011. However, he actually began his career with the Mariners after they drafted him 14th overall in 1994. He spent the 1995 and 1996 seasons playing in the minor leagues before being traded to Boston in 1997 alongside Derek Lowe.
Varitek has no managerial experience at any level. It would be an interesting hire in that regard, as the Mariners would undoubtedly like to compete for an AL West championship after spending big in free agency the last two winters. Adding an unproven commodity—even one as respected as Varitek—adds a degree of uncertainty to an already struggling franchise.
Heyman notes Tim Bogar and Alex Cora are the other two major candidates for the position. Bogar most recently served as the Texas Rangers interim manager in 2014 after Ron Washington left the club. He spent the 2015 season as a special assistant to the general manager for the Angels. An MLB infielder for nine seasons (1993 to 2001), Bogar previously served on the coaching staffs in Tampa Bay and Boston in addition to Texas.
Cora, 40, also has no managerial experience. The former MLB infielder last played for the Washington Nationals in 2011 before joining ESPN as an analyst in 2013.
After going the retread route with Lloyd McClendon, it's clear Seattle wants some new blood in the dugout. A 76-86 season tends to do that to an organization.
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