Cincinnati Reds: Is Eduardo Pérez a serious candidate for manager?

Okay, we have a very long list of candidates for the vacant Cincinnati Reds managerial job. Can we add Eduardo Pérez to that list as well?

The Cincinnati Reds continue to add names to the list of possible candidates to take over the reigns in the clubhouse. The latest name to surface yesterday was former player Eduardo Pérez. Is Pérez a serious candidate for the job?

Some names for the vacant manager’s job in Cincinnati were to be expected. Jim Riggleman‘s performance earned him at least an interview for the permanent gig and he got just that. It was no surprise that John Farrell is receiving a look and, according to some reports, he’s the leader in the clubhouse…no pun intended.

Most fans have been screaming at the top of their lungs for Joe Girardi to get the job. Count me in among that group. However, with manager vacancies becoming more prominent as the season comes to an end, Joe’s name will be linked to several other openings.

Girardi is likely to have his choice of jobs and whoever wants the former NL Manager of the Year and World Series Champion is going to have to ante up. That’s not typically the Reds style, but we’ll see how it all unfolds.

An interesting name that surfaced yesterday was a former player in the Queen City and the son of one of the greatest Cincinnati Reds of all-time. Eduardo Pérez, son of Hall of Famer Tony Pérez, may be in the mix for the managerial job in Cincinnati according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Though it sounds as if Pérez has not garnered an interview, President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams has at least had a conversation with him. Here’s a quote from Williams via the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"“He’s a guy that I know. There’s been some communication there.  He’s not currently scheduled to come in for an interview. But I can understand that being a name that made sense.”"

Pérez is currently an analyst for ESPN and host for MLB Radio. Pérez played for seven Major League teams during his 13 MLB seasons, including a stint with the Cincinnati Reds from 1996-1998.

Though Pérez has no experience as a Major League manager, he has served multiple roles as an assistant coach. Pérez was the hitting coach for the Miami Marlins in 2011 and the bench coach for the Houston Astros in 2013. He has served as the manager for several teams in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

Pérez is definitely an outside-of-the-box candidate, but a move like this could be just what the doctor ordered for the Reds. In fact, some of the best managers in the game today were sitting in Pérez’s seat.

Alex Cora of the Red Sox had no managerial experience before taking over for John Farrell in Boston. After a 108-win season, I ‘d say that worked out well for the Red Sox. How about former Cincinnati Reds player Aaron Boone? He took over for Girardi in New York and led the Yankees to a 100-win season and will go head-to-head with Cora’s Red Sox in the ALDS.

Now look, I’m not comparing the Red Sox and Yankees to the Cincinnati Reds. Any fan who follows baseball knows that the talent in Boston and the Bronx is overflowing, but the point is that the position of manager is seeing a shift.

Analytics is taking over the game of baseball and the manager’s job, more than ever, is about putting the right players in the right position to succeed. It’s about breaking down a scouting report, playing the percentages, and managing player egos.

I’m not saying that Eduardo Pérez is that kind of guy. To be honest, I have no idea. But, I applaud the Cincinnati Reds for looking at what’s been successful for some of the best franchises in baseball and taking a page out of their book.

Pérez may or may not be a serious candidate for the Cincinnati Reds managerial opening. In fact, Williams said that he hasn’t even lined up an interview with Pérez. But, the idea that the Reds are stretching their search beyond what most fans anticipated is a good sign. We should learn more about what direction the Reds are going as we get closer to the end of October.