It appears the Minnesota Twins are staring at a two-horse race.
Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo received a second interview for the Twins’ managerial job, sources told CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman. Lovullo looks like the main threat to Paul Molitor, who reportedly also received two interviews for the gig.
Derek Wetmore and Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reported Monday that Lovullo was to have his second interview that day. One source reportedly indicated Monday’s interview was scheduled to take place outside the Twin Cities, while a second source reportedly said Lovullo’s first interview went very well.
Lovullo has spent the last two seasons on manager John Farrell’s staff in Boston. He served as Farrell’s bench coach with the Toronto Blue Jays the two seasons prior. Lovullo, who has minor league managerial experience, interviewed for the Texas Rangers’ managerial job before Jeff Banister was hired earlier this month.
Doug Mientkiewicz also has had two interviews with the Twins, according to 1500 ESPN. He’s reportedly still a candidate, though Heyman suggests Mientkiewicz is more likely seen as a future candidate for a top position.
Joe Maddon threw a wrinkle into the managerial market by exercising an opt-out clause in his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. Big league sources told 1500 ESPN on Monday, however, that Maddon is not in play for the Twins job at this point.
Molitor, who currently is a member of the Twins’ coaching staff, is widely considered the favorite to replace Ron Gardenhire, who was fired last month after spending 13 seasons as Minnesota’s manager.
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