Dodgers’ managerial search reportedly down to two

This managerial search is really dragging on, but there appears to be an end in sight. From ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick this morning.

#Dodgers are doing 2nd interviews with managerial finalists and plan to make a decision by Friday or Saturday, sources say.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 18, 2015

Finally! As reported late last week, the three appear to be Bud Black, Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts. My hope of Dave Martinez being the Dodger manager is basically all but dead. Wait, who are the two reportedly left standing?

Indications are #Dodgers manager job will come down to Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts. Bud Black appears to be out of the mix.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 18, 2015

Oh. Mike is sad, seeing as he pined for Black as recently as yesterday. Just look at a few of his mentions.

Look what you did @mike_petriello https://t.co/uKV3nnvFsJ

— jef webster (@j_webster8) November 18, 2015

@mike_petriello I think your @DodgersDigest article jinxed Bud Black

— Josh (@blavnan) November 18, 2015

https://twitter.com/tcwall/status/667023054074191872

The people are mad and they need someone to take their anger out on. This is the equivalent of Whitey Ford getting pelted by Marge Simpson’s pretzels.

So it’s down to Kapler and Roberts. My preference is for Roberts, which I talked a little about a week ago. Like Mike, I would rather see Kapler stay in his current position and I like the potential Roberts has on the managerial front. It’s no secret Kapler has been at or near the top of the list throughout the entire process, and now we’ll see if the Dodgers front office will go internally with an inexperienced guy or outside the org (but still with Dodger ties) with an inexperienced guy.

One thing’s for sure: The Dodgers appear focused on this move before focusing (fully) on any significant player personnel moves. That doesn’t mean if the right trade came along they wouldn’t pull the trigger before hiring a manager, but they aren’t exactly leading the charge to make moves on the trade- and free agent market as of yet.

It’s a long offseason and I know we’re all eager for some moves. They’re coming. First thing’s first, the Dodgers will settle the managerial spot. If it’s figured out by Friday or Saturday, that would be just swell.