Rangers interview Alex Cora

The Texas Rangers appeared to conclude their first round of interviews for the vacant managerial position when they spoke with interim manager Tim Bogar and Alex Cora, the Caguas Criollos general manager/manager and ESPN analyst, on Friday.

In all, the Rangers interviewed eight potential candidates to replace Ron Washington, who resigned on Sept. 5.

Bogar took over for Washington and finished 14-8. Bogar was hired last offseason to become the Rangers' bench coach and seems to be the front-runner to be the next manager.

Cora was a finalist for the Seattle Mariners job in 2013. He was a third base coach/bench coach with the Chicago White Sox and Florida Marlins from 2004 to 2012. Cora, who played 14 seasons for four big league teams, has managed in minor leagues systems for the then Montreal Expos and the New York Mets. He also managed a winter ball team in Venezuela.

Whether he gets a second interview is uncertain. Rangers officials had no comment regarding the candidates.

Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Triple-A manager Steve Buechele, Boston bench coach Torey Lovullo, Pittsburgh bench coach Jeff Banister, Chicago White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing and Cleveland bullpen coach Kevin Cash have also interviewed.


(espn.com)