Late last week, we learned that Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde was recently interviewed by the Texas Rangers for their open managerial gig, and, as it turns out, that’s not his only potential suitor.
#Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde has interviewed for #Rangers and #Angels managerial vacancies, sources confirm. Hyde, an under-the-radar name in the past, is now an active candidate in multiple @MLB managerial searches. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 15, 2018
As Jon Morosi points out, Hyde is officially no longer a “under-the-radar” type name. Like Dave Martinez before him, Joe Maddon’s lieutenant has legit “future manager” potential. Good for him.
Here’s a reminder of Hyde’s background, and a recent overture from the Mets to get him to join their staff, as well:
Brandon Hyde, 45, played professional baseball back from 1997-2001 in the Chicago White Sox organization as well as some independent ball. In 2005, he began working in the Marlins organization, where he stayed for four years, before being named the Marlins minor league infield coordinator in 2010 – a year he also got a chance as the team’s interim bench coach after the Marlins fired their manager Fredi Gonzalez, their bench coach Carlos Tosca, and their hitting coach, Jim Presley (they’ve always been a mess, haven’t they? (well, when they weren’t winning titles and then immediately stripping down)).
At the end of last season, the Mets actually reached out to Hyde, then the Cubs first base coach, to have him join their staff, but he rejected that proposal and was rewarded with a bump up to bench coach by Joe Maddon and company. Given the depth of his experience as a player, an instructor, and a coach, as well as his tenure in the league, I’m not surprised at all that he’s being considered for managerial gigs.
Like last time, I’ll caveat all of the attention he’s getting with a “he’s still an inexperienced manager,” so teams looking for “name-brand” coaches might look elsewhere (Dusty Baker, Joe Girardi, Jeff Bannister, Buck Showalter, Mike Scioscia, etc.). But clearly, he’s drawing some serious interest.
You do also have to keep in mind that organizations, albeit with sincere interest, may have a secondary reason for bringing in a high-level Cubs coach for an interview, since they can poke around his head to see what they might learn. To that end:
#Angels administering 2-hour written test to managerial candidates, sources say, with questions spanning analytical, interpersonal and game-management aspects of the job. Sign of the rigor involved in the position across @MLB, with 6 teams looking for a new manager. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 15, 2018
There’s a lot to say about being thorough, but not unlike the Reds bringing in 12 candidates to interview, you have to wonder if it’s absolutely necessary. In fact, I see most managerial questions/theories as too nuanced for a written test, but everyone’s got their preferences, I suppose.
In any case, we wish the best of luck to Brandon Hyde, even as we’d hate to see him go. Talented people deserve to get a shot, from wherever it may come. Maybe Hyde is a candidate to take over for Joe Maddon in the long term, maybe not. So if he gets his shot elsewhere right now, then good fortune go with him.
UPDATE: This is not much of a surprise, but good for Hyde, who continues to draw interest across the league …
Source confirms #Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde is a candidate to become #Twins next manager. @DWolfsonKSTP reported that Hyde interviewed today. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 15, 2018
Altogether, that makes three teams (Rangers, Angels, Twins) – all in the American League, notably – who’ve come knocking at Hyde’s door. It’s not a lock he’ll land one of these gigs this year, but the writing is on the wall: He’s a future big league manager.