The search for the Blue Jays’ managerial position is down to three candidates.
Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell and bench coach DeMarlo Hale, as well as Cleveland Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. are among the finalists to replace retired manager Cito Gaston, according to Comcast Sportsnet website.
Both Farrell and Hale have already interviewed three times by phone and in person with the Jays, although another source – Sporting News website – said Hale is schedule to have another interview.
Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos has spoken to as many as 14 candidates from the list of 200 names that the team compiled a month ago.
Neither Farrell, Hale or Alomar have managed a team in the major leagues.
Farrell started his career as an assistant coach before moving to pitching and recruiting coordinator with Oklahoma State University in 1997.
Later in 2006, he joined the Red Sox as their pitching coach, replacing Dave Wallace.
Hale, the frontrunner according to sources, first managed High-A Fort Lauderdale Red Sox in the Florida State League in 1993.
He was named third base coach by Boston in 2006 in replacement of Dale Sveum.
In 2009, Hale was assigned as the bench coach.
Alomar became the catching instructor for the New York Mets in 2008.
A year-and-a-half later, he joined the Cleveland Indians as the first base coach under manager of Manny Acta.
The team announced to the other four candidates, Sal Fasano, Rob Thomson, Dave Martinez and Luis Rivera that they are no longer being considered for the managing position, according to other sources on Tuesday.
Anthopoulos has refused to make comments on the progress of his search that is expected to conclude before the end of the World Series.