Detroit Tigers: 3 possible candidates for the manager job beyond 2020

The Detroit Tigers could stick with the in-house candidate and look to current third-base coach Ramon Santiago to take over as manager.

Currently, McClendon is running the show as a manager, but Ramón Santiago has played a role in shaping up this current Tigers team for success, not only in 2020 but beyond. He does not have any managerial experience yet, but that’s okay.

The Tigers could promote from within, hire Santiago, and give him a chance to work through the rebuild as the coach of the future. This is kind of the wild card scenario, not knowing precisely what you will be getting out of the 41-year old Santiago.

He works well the prospects/youth of the organization; he has done an excellent job working to better the fielding and defensive game with these young players in 2020 during Summer Camp and the season.

Gardenhire’s ability to work with the youth of the organization hopefully will have rubbed off onto Santiago, who seems to have a passion for helping the rookies get acclimated in positions all over the field.

A former infielder, mostly shortstop and second baseman (also some third base time), works with these guys and being fluid and reliable defenders. While the defense is just one aspect of the game, it establishes relationships with the players.

He may not have a proven track record or even be someone who teams are looking to bring in this offseason to manage. Still, if the Tigers wanted to go on a two or three-year contract with the hopes that by year three, Santiago can settle in, this would work quite well for the organization.

He is someone to keep in mind when the Tigers conduct interviews this offseason trying to find the best manager for the job.