When the Los Angeles Dodgers hired Dave Roberts as manager after the 2015 season, shortly after came the addition of several new coaches or the organization. Among them was Chris Woodward, who joined the Dodgers as third base and infield coach.
That came on the heals of Woodward declining a position on then-new manager Scott Servais’ staff with the Seattle Mariners. Woodward served as the Mariners’ Minor League infield coordinator in 2013, infield coach the following year, and their first base and infield coach in 2015.
While there was some uncertainty over the status of Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt for next season, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he anticipated the entire coaching staff to remain intact in 2018.
Although it may ultimately hold true, Woodward is a candidate for the New York Yankees managerial position, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Source: Dodgers third-base coach Chris Woodward is a candidate for the Yankees’ managerial opening. No interview has been scheduled yet. Woodward was in camp with the Yankees in 2008 but never played for them. He managed Team New Zealand in the 2016 WBC.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 15, 2017
Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Woodward would receive an interview should the Yankees elect to extend their search that far:
Can confirm Mark’s report. Been told that if there is 5th managerial interview beyond Meulens, Boone, Thomson, Wedge, it will be Woodward. https://t.co/iTzlunCEpO
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 15, 2017
SportsNet LA analyst and former Dodgers infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. was previously reported as being a candidate the Yankees would consider, but it seemed to gain little traction.
As noted above, Woodward’s managerial experience includes leading Team New Zealand in February 2016 in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. He also served as a coach on New Zealand’s staff in 2013.
Thus far in the offseason, the Dodgers have seen their vice president of baseball operations, director of player development and assistant director of player development accept positions with other clubs.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi indicated the team may reassign the duties Alex Anthopoulos held, rather than hire a direct replacement.
