The Astros have tabbed the man they think can bring them out of baseball’s cellar.
Bo Porter will be named Houston’s next manager, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. The Astros are reportedly expected to announce the decision at a news conference at 10 a.m. CT on Thursday.
Porter, who is currently serving as the Nationals’ third base coach, will reportedly remain with Washington throughout its upcoming postseason run before joining the Astros organization.
Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, Red Sox bench coach Tim Bogar and the Astros’ interim manager, Tony DeFrancesco, also interviewed for the gig, but first-year Astros GM Jeff Juhnow opted to go with Porter, who interviewed for managerial positions with the Marlins and Pirates in previous years.
Porter, who also had coaching stints with Miami and Arizona before arriving in the nation’s capital in 2011, is a former major league outfielder. He’ll face a tough task ahead, though. The Astros, who fired their previous manager, Brad Mills, on Aug. 19, will finish with the worst record in baseball.
Houston will also make the leap to the American League in 2013. A leap up the standings is something Porter must also provide.
Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison
