Marlins to interview George Lombard, consider Alyssa Nakken in managerial search

Fish On First has learned of two more candidates in the search for the next Miami Marlins manager: Alyssa Nakken and George Lombard. The team is coordinating an interview with Lombard and may do the same with Nakken as well.

The 49-year-old Lombard played in parts of six MLB seasons from 1998-2006. He has since gone on to have a lengthy coaching career, most recently serving as bench coach for the Detroit Tigers, who were eliminated from the postseason on Saturday. Lombard previously interviewed for the same position with the Marlins two years ago, according to Craig Mish. The job went to Skip Schumaker, who officially parted ways with the club on September 29 following their regular season finale.

The Marlins' recent front office changes may work to Lombard's advantage. He and Marlins assistant general manager Gabe Kapler overlapped for several years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization (when Lombard was their first base coach). The Lombard family already makes their offseason home in Miami.

The connection between Kapler and Nakken is even more direct. She became the first full-time female coach in MLB history when Kapler added her to his San Francisco Giants staff in 2020. She interviewed for their managerial vacancy last October following Kapler's firing. The Giants hired Bob Melvin instead, but Nakken stayed as an assistant on his staff.

The Marlins have not hesitated to promote qualified women to high-ranking positions in recent years. Kim Ng became the first-ever female MLB general manager in 2020, while Caroline O'Connor and Rachel Balkovec currently serve as Miami's president of business operations and director of player development, respectively.

Another wrinkle to Nakken's candidacy: she would be easily the youngest active MLB manager at age 34.

In addition to Lombard and Nakken, the Marlins are also interested in Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz. Schumaker's former bench coach, Luis Urueta, is in the mix as well.