Ex-Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu, ex-Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch, Angels bench coach Dino Ebel, Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo and ex-Indians/Nationals manager Manny Acta are among names believed to be under consideration for the Astros managerial job that recently opened.
The Astros aren't necessarily seen as a team that will cast a wide net since they are thought to have very specific requirements, but some other names that are thought to have at least come up in discussion include Joey Cora, Bob Geren, Jim Riggleman, Bengie Molina, Tony Pena, Chip Hale, Tim Bogar, Mike Maddux and Dave Martinez. The Astros' interim manager Tom Lawless, third-base coach Pat Listach and minor-league manager Tony DeFrancesco also may come under some consideration, with Lawless seen as a possibility to join the staff.
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, who fired manager Bo Porter after less than two years on the job due to what some saw as a "personality conflict" between the two men, has suggested he might favor major-league managerial experience this time. That could boost Wakamatsu, Hinch, Acta, Geren, Riggleman or perhaps even the ex-Astro Bogar, if his interim time with the decimated cross-state rival Rangers counts.
Wakamatsu, Hinch and Acta could be especially interesting due to the skills sought and/or ties to the team. Wakamatsu, currently a Royals coach, was mentioned as a possibility by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. Hinch, who served as the point man for trades for the Padres at the deadline before leaving that organization, managed the Diamondbacks. Acta, who has Astros ties, in fact had a chance to become Astros manager when he took the job in Cleveland, where he secured a three-year deal.
Hinch, Wakamatsu and some others in this group fit the need to hire someone sabremetrically inclined and could also fit with the intellectual Luhnow. Hinch, the former major-league catcher, is a Stanford product, which probably doesn't hurt, either.
Ebel is an up-and-comer who received high marks from Angels manager Mike Scioscia. He was first mentioned as a possibility by Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Many of the other names have been mentioned by Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle.
Riggleman, the Reds' Triple-A manager, managed four different major-league teams including some similar rebuilding jobs in San Diego and Washington and has some association with Luhnow from the Cardinals. It's believed he was considered the last time for some job on the staff, before Porter was hired.
