Given all the organizational success the Los Angeles Dodgers have had in recent years, other teams are naturally going to attempt to go after their staff members in effort to try and duplicate it.
One team that may be doing just that is the rival San Francisco Giants, who are reportedly showing interest in Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi to be their president of baseball operations.
Another staff member of the Dodgers that is garnering some interest is third base coach Chris Woodward. He interviewed for the New York Yankees managerial opening last offseason, although they wound up going with Aaron Boone instead.
Woodward may be getting another chance to become a manager for the first time as according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, he interviewed for the Texas Rangers’ opening:
Derek Shelton and Chris Woodward both strong candidates for #Rangers’ managerial vacancy, sources tell me and @DanHayesMLB. Shelton interviewed Tuesday and Woodward today. Source says Woodward did “extremely well.” Not known who else is still involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 1, 2018
Woodward has been an essential part of the Dodgers’ coaching staff over the past three years, particularly working with the infielders on their defense. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman specifically highlighted Woodward’s work with Manny Machado as being key.
Also at their end of the year press conference, Friedman and Zaidi expressed their desire to bring the entire Dodgers coaching staff back next season. Although the possibility remains, Woodward being a hot commodity could require some change.