Detroit Tigers: 5 Managerial Candidates for 2016

Apr 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first base coach Omar Vizquel (15) reacts to a fan in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Omar Vizquel

After retiring from being a future Hall-of Fame player in 2012, Omar Vizquel wanted the next journey of his life to be a manager in the sport he loved.

A defensive-first shortstop, Vizquel was highly sought-after to guide infielders and was hired by Scioscia for his 2013 staff. One of his first duties as Detroit Tigers’ manager, Brad Ausmus added Vizquel to his coaching staff to guide the infielders and coach first base.

Vizquel has been able to help transform a shaky defense into a very serviceable one. While Jose Iglesias has natural skills, he has been the perfect student for Vizquel in that Iggy looks like a young Vizquel.

Credit Omar with also helping to make Nick Castellanos a little more reliable at third base. He’s not Gold Glove-caliber and will never be considered a good defender, at least not at third, but the pair did work hard in the offseason to get better.

Vizquel has the intelligence and experience to succeed at a major league level, however if you name him Tigers’ manager you could run into some sticky issues.

First, he will be a member of Ausmus’ staff. If you’re going to clean house at manager this year, you probably want everyone gone. Also Vizquel will be a rookie manager, so do you really want to follow an inexperienced rookie with another?

I have to believe that Vizquel would be better at the job than Ausmus, but can Avila and Mike Ilitch be assured of this enough to go this way, especially if they are planning on adding to the payroll this offseason?

Next: Ron Washington