The Red Sox’ new manager might not be named for awhile, as general manager Theo Epstein‘s future still hangs in the balance. But when the team does name its new skipper, Bodog.net thinks A.J. Hinch has the best shot to land the gig.
According to odds posted on Bodog.net, Hinch leads the field with a 5-to-2 chance of becoming the Red Sox’ new manager.
Hinch is currently the vice president of professional scouting for the San Diego Padres. A former major league catcher, Hinch managed the Arizona Diamondbacks from May 2009 to July 2010. He was then fired after the D-Backs started off their 2010 campaign with a 31-48 mark. Overall, his managerial record stands at 89-123.
Hinch played seven seasons in the majors between Oakland, Kansas City, Detroit and Philadelphia.
There does exist some connection between Hinch and the Red Sox organization. He and formed Red Sox assistant general manager Josh Byrnes worked closely together in Arizona, when Byrnes was the D-Backs GM during Hinch’s managerial tenure. Byrnes is also now a member of the Padres organization, serving as the vice president of baseball operations.
Bobby Valentine (3-to-1), Joe Torre (4-to-1), Pete Mackanin (5-to-1) and Dave Martinez (11-to-2) round out Bodog’s top-five likeliest candidates for the Red Sox’ manager vacancy. Ryne Sandberg is listed at 6-to-1 and Alan Trammell is at 15-to-2.
