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Rays tales: Why Rocco Baldelli is a hot candidate for manager openings

ST. PETERSBURG — Rocco Baldelli has sure been popular this off-season.

And busy.

The current Rays coach and former outfielder interviewed with five of the six teams looking to hire a manager — the Angels, Blue Jays, Rangers, Reds and Twins. And he appears very much in the running for several of the jobs.

That Baldelli, 37, emerged as a managerial candidate was not unexpected.

He is young, bright, sharp, communicative, confident, humble, versed in analytics — all characteristics that fit well with what teams seem to be looking for now in managers. Plus, he has the perspective of four years in a front/office scouting role.