List of Orioles’ manager candidates continues to grow, but some have major pitfalls

One of the first items of business to be completed this offseason for the Baltimore Orioles will be hiring a manager. Tony Mansolino served as the Orioles' interim manager since the firing of Brandon Hyde in May, and his offseason messaging would suggest that he is a candidate to get the permanent job. But, as Orioles fans wait for official interviews to start taking place, they are faced with a growing list of potential names.

Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner took a look at three names that should be candidates for the Orioles, and the list is very underwhelming. Former Texas Rangers manager Jeff Bannister gets a mention along with former Chicago Cubs skipper David Ross and former Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

Orioles’ manager hunt just got messier with these new names in the mix

Bannister should be immediately discarded. Turning 62 in January and having not managed since 2018, the former Pittsburgh Pirate for one lonely career plate appearances feels like an out-of-touch suggestion. As the Orioles look to get the most out of their young core, it doesn't feel like Bannister would be the right man for the job.

Both Ross and Weeks are intriguing options. Ross appeared to be an ascending manager with the Cubs before getting the boot in favor of the team poaching Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers. Ross, after being passed over last offseason, is looking to get back in the clubhouse, and considering the young core he had with the Cubs, he could be an ideal fit for the Orioles.

Weeks, meanwhile, is not far removed from being a player with the Brewers and is only 43 years old. Currently serving as an associate manager in Milwaukee, it seems that Weeks is an emerging candidate, and for an Orioles team that could grow with their manager, there could be a fit to be made.

At the start of October, Kostka also mentioned Ryan Flaherty (Chicago Cubs), Kai Correa (Cleveland Guardians), and George Lombard (Detroit Tigers) among current assistant coaches across Major League Baseball that could be in the mix for the Orioles' job, along with former managers Bob Melvin and Scott Servais.

Manager searches can often become exhaustive, and there is no need for Mike Elias and company to overthink this hire. Go through interviews, get a free look into your organization from an outside source, but at the end of the day, Mansolino is deserving of the job. He has the respect of the Orioles' clubhouse, and he isn't afraid to reveal hard truths.