ARLINGTON -- Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he has compiled a list of approximately 40 candidates to be his next manager.
The list is expected to be whittled to five to eight candidates before the interviews start. Here are 15 things to know -- in no particular order -- as the Rangers go about their search.
1. Sandy Alomar Jr. and Omar Vizquel, who both played one year with the Rangers, would be strong candidates. Alomar has spent the past nine years as a bench and first-base coach with the Indians. Vizquel retired after the 2012 season, and he spent five years as a coach with the Angels and Tigers. This past season, he managed Class A Winston-Salem in the White Sox organization and led the Dash to the best overall record in the Carolina League.
2. Don Wakamatsu interviewed for the Rangers' job in 2006; he was unexpectedly passed over for Ron Washington. He subsequently managed the Mariners, was bench coach for the Royals when they went to two World Series and had the same job this season under Jeff Banister. He knows the Rangers, has strong communication skills and has the patience to work with young players.
3. Farm director Jayce Tingler would be an interesting candidate after serving the organization for 12 years in a variety of roles. He has been a Minor League manager, field coordinator, Major League coach and farm director. He has a strong background and relationship with many of their young players.
4. An intriguing unknown is Astros bench coach Joe Espada, a Puerto Rico native who has experience as the Marlins' Minor League infield coordinator and the Yankees' third-base coach. He has also managed in winter ball.
5. Former infielder Mark DeRosa's name has surfaced. He would be a curious choice. DeRosa retired after the 2013 season and has spent the past five seasons as a studio analyst for MLB Network, and he has none of the other usual managerial/leadership prerequisites.
6. Rangers first-base coach Steve Buechele is interested. He was passed over for Banister in 2014, but he has a strong Minor League managerial record plus four years on the Major League staff. Three of those years were as bench coach. He might already be a Major League manager if not for a 13-year hiatus from the game after his playing career was over.
7. Tony Beasley is another Rangers coach with an impressive resume that includes eight years as a Minor League manager. He has also been a Minor League field coordinator and Major League coach. He is highly respected within the Rangers organization with an outgoing personality and excellent communication skills.
8. Another underrated candidate is Jason Wood, who has spent eight years as a Minor League manager in the Rangers' system, including the last four at Triple-A Round Rock. He also knows Texas' young players. He played in 153 games at the Major League level with the Athletics, Tigers and Marlins.
9. There are four former managers out there who have won a World Series: Joe Girardi, John Farrell, Ozzie Guillen and Mike Scioscia. Girardi and Farrell have interviewed with the Reds. Guillen and Scioscia may be too outspoken and/or old school for the Rangers.
10. Former Angels shortstop Gary DiSarcina is currently the Mets' third-base coach, and he has a strong resume that includes Minor League manager and Major League coach with the Red Sox. So too does former Major League shortstop Jay Bell, who is now the Yankees' Double-A manager in Trenton.
11. Yankees third-base coach Phil Nevin, who played for the Rangers in 2005-06, has been a hot name in the past few years for managerial openings. But the Rangers did not include him among their candidates in 2014.
12. The Rangers are not considering a reunion with former managers Buck Showalter or Ron Washington.
13. The Rangers interviewed five outside candidates in 2014, including Banister. Three of the other four became Major League managers: Kevin Cash, Torey Lovullo and Alex Cora. The exception was Joe McEwing, who is still on the White Sox coaching staff.
14. Paul Molitor, who was just dismissed by the Twins, is still interested in managing. So is former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.
15. Showalter and Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman got their first managerial jobs in 1992. Since then, 117 men have been hired as Major League managers. Just remember Joe Torre managed 14 years in the big leagues with the Mets, Braves and Cardinals, and had just one postseason appearance before being hired by the Yankees. The hiring was widely disparaged. He is now in the Hall of Fame.