Rockies manager search: Giambi, Weiss, Runnells and Williams make up final four

The Colorado Rockies’ search for a new manager is now down to the final four candidates, reports Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post:

The Rockies' managerial search has reached the final four: bench coach Tom Runnells, veteran slugger Jason Giambi, former Rockies shortstop Walt Weiss and current Diamondbacks third-base coach Matt Williams…

The Rockies could decide on their choice early this week. However, the annual general managers meetings are Wednesday and Thursday in Indian Wells, Calif., so an announcement might not come until the end of the week.

Three of the four candidates have already had the opportunity to sit down with the Rockies’ top three executives – owner Dick Monfort, GM Dan O’Dowd and VP Bill Geivett – and Matt Williams will get his chance sometime Monday.

Neither Giambi nor Weiss have ever managed or coached professionally, and Runnells is the only remaining candidate with any managing experience at the MLB level. Williams managed briefly in the Arizona Fall League and has coaching experience as third base coach for the Diamondbacks.

The shortlist for the next Rockies manager was at six last week, but former Mets manager Jerry Manuel and former Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin have been eliminated from the running.