Report: Orioles Hire Buck Showalter As Manager

As expected, the Baltimore Orioles have reportedly hired Buck Showalter as their new manager. Tim Kurkjian reports:

Since firing Dave Trembley in June, the Orioles considered Eric Wedge and Bobby Valentine before making their decision. The 54-year-old Showalter has managed eleven seasons with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers, compiling a 313-268 record.

After a few weeks of uncertainty, it now appears all but official that the Orioles will hire Buck Showalter to be their next manager:

The Orioles, who were 15-39 under Dave Trembley, have gone 13-20 under interim skipper Juan Samuel, and Sundady afternoon look to put the finishing touches on a four-game sweep of the Rangers in Texas.

Bobby Valentine, previously under consideration to take over the Baltimore Orioles, has pulled himself out of the race, says ESPN:

The expectation is that Valentine will turn his sights to the vacant Marlins position, as he and Jeffrey Loria have been friends for quite some time. The most recognizable names still on the table for Baltimore right now remain Buck Showalter and Eric Wedge.

Already having interviewed former big league managers Eric Wedge and Bobby Valentine, the Orioles are now looking to talk to another of the same ilk:

Showalter was voted AL Manager of the year in 1994 with New York, and in 2004 with Texas. He also spent three years with the Diamondbacks, leading the second-year team to a 100-win season in 1999.

Trembley will be replaced by third base coach Juan Samuel, who will be the interim manager while MacPhail begins the search for a replacement. Samuel becomes the ninth manager for Baltimore since Peter Angelos became the (worst) owner (in baseball) in 1993.

Trembley was in his third season as the team’s manager.

One wonders, of course, what firing Trembley will accomplish in a season that was lost from the start, but Trembley’s record is just 187-282 at the helm, the O’s have spent the last three years in the basement, and it’s possible that he’s just lost the clubhouse. Even if the players don’t actively disrespect him, it’s difficult to listen to and obey the instruction of a guy who, quite simply, doesn’t win. By replacing Trembley with the respected veteran Juan Samuel, a new voice takes the lead, and that simple change might be enough for the O’s to shape up. By keeping Trembley around, it’s possible that the team’s tailspin could only draw on.

Look for more on the story at Camden Chat.