Report: Rangers have preliminary interest in Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy for managerial opening

When a team is successful, other organizations are likely to do whatever they can to mimic that team to find success themselves. This means interviewing and trying to poach high-ranking employees in the front office staff and even the dugout.

The Athletic’s Robert Murray reports that the Texas Rangers might be interested in filling their open managerial position with Milwaukee Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy.

According to Murray’s report, the Rangers haven’t gone as far to pursue an interview with Murphy. Murphy declined discussing his potential candidacy.

Murphy was brought to Milwaukee when Craig Counsell overhauled the coaching staff at the end of the 2015 season. The two had been closely tied as Murphy was Counsell’s coach during his playing career at the University of Notre Dame. Counsell had actually attempted to hire Murphy in 2015 but was blocked by Murphy’s team at the time, the San Diego Padres. San Diego let go of Murphy at the end of that season, giving him and opening to come to Milwaukee. Since then, he has served as a key mentor and confidant for Counsell, helping CC make difficult decisions and find his footing in the role.

Before coming to Milwaukee, Murphy had 21 years of head coaching experience at the collegiate level and six as a professional. His first venture into managing pro ball started for minor league affiliates of the San Diego Padres before he was eventually promoted to interim manager when San Diego fired Bud Black. Under Murphy, the Padres went 42-54.

This isn’t the first time a member of the Brewers organization has been discussed for one of the many job openings throughout baseball. Current Assistant GM Matt Arnold and former Brewers GM Doug Melvin have been mentioned as people teams like the New York Mets would like to snag for their GM openings. It’s likely the Brewers will need to make some hires or shuffle around the org chart once their season is done in November.