After getting, then turning down, the manager's job for the Washington Nationals former Padres skipper Bud Black is heading back to Southern California.
But, he's not taking over the Dodgers manager's spot, as has been widely speculated (more on that in a second). Black is reportedly going back to Anaheim in a front office role, likely as special assistant to the general manager.
Buddy was pitching coach for the Angels before being named the Padres manager prior to the 2007 season. He spent all his time in Anaheim under Mike Scioscia, who is still the manager there. A few weeks ago Black won over the Nationals but could not come to an agreement on a contract so Washington hired Dusty Baker to be their new skipper.
Black had then been linked to the Dodgers but L.A. seems to be more interested in a different member of the Padres' coaching staff. Word is Dave Roberts is one of two finalists for the Dodgers managerial spot. Roberts, a Rancho Buena Vista High School alum, worked on Black's staff in San Diego from 2010 through last season, first as the first base coach then as a bench coach.
The other finalist for the Dodgers job is Gabe Kapler, currently L.A.'s farm director. Interestingly, Roberts and Kapler were teammates in Boston in 2004, the year the Red Sox ended their 86-year World Series frustration.
Even if he does not earn the Dodgers job Roberts will not return to San Diego. New Padres manager Andy Green retained pitching coach Daren Balsley and third base coach Glenn Hoffman but is getting new faces to fill out his staff. Green and General Manager A.J. Preller have already added Alan Zinter, former hitting coach with the Diamondbacks and Astros, as their new hitting guru. Green is still looking for his bench coaches.
