Cubs' manager search likely to include Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo

Torey Lovullo (right) is Red Sox manager John Farrell's bench coach. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Cubs reportedly have a favorite in their search for a new manager, but the process likely will continue until another candidate can be interviewed after the World Series.

Padres bench coach Rick Renteria appears to be the favorite, according to multiple sources. But before finishing the process, the Cubs reportedly want to talk to an additional candidate: Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo, who is currently engaged in the World Series.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted on Oct. 19 that Renteria, 51, is the clear-cut favorite. The Cubs reportedly are seeking a manager adept at developing young talent. Renteria has been credited with helping develop Padres prospects as a hitting coach and minor league manager in San Diego's system. Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer, a former Padres executive, also has had first-hand experience with Renteria, who has also interviewed for the Mariners’ vacant manager job.

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The Cubs' list of candidates reportedly includes: former Nationals and Ondians skipper Manny Acta; Padres assistant GM A.J. Hinch; Rays bench coach Dave Martinez and former Mariners manager Eric Wedge. The team reportedly is scheduling more interviews with Renteria, who is recovering from hip surgery, and Hinch this week. The Sun-Times reports the Cubs also have interviewed a seventh, “mystery” candidate.

Lovullo expressed interest in becoming a manager, but isn't rushing into the process until the Series concludes.

From the Sun-Times:

Overall, there’s a general excitement about the thought of something like that happening some day in my career,” said Lovullo, a former big-league infielder who was John Farrell’s first-base coach in Toronto in 2011 and ’12. “But I’m not here to fast-forward anything. I’m not here to make it happen before its time.

“I’m employed by and work for a tremendous organization that I’m very content with. In life, timing is everything. If the timing is right, the situation is what it’s supposed to be, then that’s the next step.”