Tigers manager search: Detroit interested in Rays 3rd base coach Charlie Montoyo

Detroit Tigers general manager promised a thorough search for the team’s next manager. If Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports is to be believed, this search will be very thorough. The Tigers have “50 or so” names on their list, according to Heyman, and are currently working their way through it in order to find Brad Ausmus’ replacement.

The next name on their list is Charlie Montoyo, the Tampa Bay Rays’ third base coach. Detroit asked Tampa Bay about Montoyo’s availability recently, Heyman reported on Sunday. Montoyo, 51, interviewed for the Seattle Mariners manager job following Lloyd McClendon’s firing in 2015.

If the Tigers are looking for someone experienced in developing young talent, Montoyo could be their man. He has been with the Rays organization since their inception in 1998. He started as a manager for their rookie-level affiliate and worked his way up the ladder, spending eight years as manager of the Triple-A Durham Bulls. The Bulls won six division championships under his watch, and took home International League championships in 2009 and 2013. They were also league runners up three other times. He is now Durham’s winningest manager and a member of the International League Hall of Fame.

Montoyo also served as a coach for Puerto Rico’s 2009 World Baseball Classic team. That Puerto Rican team advanced through the first round with wins over Panama and the Netherlands, but were knocked out in the second round after losing to Venezuela and the United States.

The Tigers may have some competition for Montoyo’s services. The New York Mets, who are parting ways with manager Terry Collins, are also interested in Montoyo, according to Mets writer Adam Rubin.