Former Red Sox assistant a top target for two managerial openings (reports)
When the Red Sox brought Will Venable aboard as their bench coach before the 2021 season, they did so believing he’d manage in the majors someday. That day could come very soon.
Venable, now the Rangers’ associated manager under Bruce Bochy, is very much in the mix for the two remaining managerial openings with the Marlins and White Sox, according to multiple reports. Venable, along with Cleveland bench coach Craig Albernaz, is a finalist in Miami, according to the Miami Herald, and one of three finalists in Chicago along with Albernaz and former Angels manager Phil Nevin, according to USA Today.
Venable, who turned 42 on Tuesday, interviewed for the Red Sox’ open managerial job after the 2020 season but lost out to Alex Cora, who eventually hired Venable as his new bench coach for his second season at the helm in Boston. Venable served in that role for two year sand was expected to return for a third but Bochy — Venable’s former manager in San Diego — called upon him to serve in the associate manager role in Texas. Venable, who also has coaching experience with the Cubs, won a World Series with the Rangers in his first year and is viewed as a potential successor to the 69-year-old Bochy. Obviously, he might not have to wait that long to get his first crack at leading a team.
Venable, a Princeton alum who played nine major league seasons before retiring in 2016, has been linked to multiple managerial openings over the years. Last year, he declined a chance to interview with the Mets and Guardians, opting to remain in Texas after winning the title. Before that, in addition to his Boston interview in 2020, Venable interviewed for managerial joins with the Astros, Cubs, Giants, Tigers, and A’s.
Venable, a Princeton alum who played nine major league seasons before retiring in 2016, has been linked to multiple managerial openings over the years. Last year, he declined a chance to interview with the Mets and Guardians, opting to remain in Texas after winning the title. Before that, in addition to his Boston interview in 2020, Venable interviewed for managerial joins with the Astros, Cubs, Giants, Tigers, and A’s.
Four teams will open 2025 with different managers than they did in 2024. In addition to Miami and Chicago, the Mariners (who replaced Scott Servais with Dan Wilson late in the season) and the Reds (who fired David Bell and hired Terry Francona) have undergone changes.
