Mariners manager rumors: Scott Servais a 'strong frontrunner'

Angels assistant general manager Scott Servais is a "strong front-runner" to be the next manager of the Mariners, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Tim Bogar is expected to join the Mariners organization, and is another candidate for the managerial position.

It will either be Scott Servais as manager and Tim Bogar as bench coach, or Bogar as manager and Servais bench coach https://t.co/ZYSqtFCJeO

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 22, 2015

Rosenthal adds that Padres bench coach Dave Roberts was considered a finalist for the job after receiving two interviews. As our managerial carousel tracker shows, Seattle has also interviewed Jason Varitek, Phil Nevin and Charlie Montoyo for the job while considering Alex Cora as well.

Servais, 48, worked under new Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto in the Angels front office, heading up the team's scouting and player development. He was considered as a candidate for the general manager job in Anaheim before the Angels hired Billy Eppler in early October.

Servais played in the majors for eleven seasons with the Astros, Cubs, Giants and Astros, and worked in the Rangers front office before being hired by Dipoto in 2011. He appears to be following the paths of A.J. Hinch and Dan Jennings as front office executives to move into the dugout in recent years.