After MLB concludes investigation into sign-stealing, Red Sox plan to name Ron Roenicke manager

Ron Roenicke spent the last two seasons as bench coach for the Red Sox.Patrick Semansky/AP file/Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox said on Friday they have not completed their search for a new manager, even as a major league executive said the team is planning to choose bench coach Ron Roenicke to replace Alex Cora.

The Sox are waiting for Major League Baseball to finish its investigation into the team before making any announcement, said the executive, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive timing of the issue.

Roenicke, 63, was the team’s bench coach for two seasons under Cora. In January, he said he did not have any involvement or knowledge of the Sox allegedly using video to steal signs in 2018.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said he hopes to issue the report before the start of spring training on Wednesday. At that point, the Sox would be comfortable in announcing their decision.

“Our managerial search is not yet completed. We will comment at the completion of the search,” a team spokesman said.

Third base coach Carlos Febles was considered for the job. The Sox also are known to have interviewed former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, Oakland Athletics coach Mark Kotsay, and Arizona Diamondbacks coach Luis Urueta.

Roenicke would be a sensible choice because of his knowledge of the team and prior experience as a manager. That would help make for a smooth transition after what has been a chaotic period for the organization.

The Sox have been seeking a manager since Jan. 14 when they mutually parted ways with Cora because of his prominent role in the sign-stealing scandal that led to Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow being suspended for a year, then fired.

MLB has withheld what is expected to be a significant punishment of Cora until it finishes the investigation into the Red Sox.

Roenicke was adamant that he would not be implicated.

“It would be concerning if something happened — that I knew I wasn’t part of — that I was brought into as part of that,” Roenicke said last month. “I know what I do. I always try to do things the right way.”

The Sox are likely to make a short-term commitment to Roenicke, which would leave chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom the option of finding a more permanent replacement for Cora.

Roenicke was 342-331 managing the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011–15. He led the Brewers to 96 victories and the NLCS in 2011, and had two other winning seasons before being fired 25 games into the 2015 season.

Roenicke was on the Los Angeles Angels coaching staff under Mike Scioscia from 2000–10 before being hired by Milwaukee.

The former outfielder played in the majors from 1981–88, then became a minor league coach in 1991.