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.