Colorado Rockies Manager Search: Eddie Perez in the Mix?

There may be a new entrant in the Colorado Rockies search for a manager for the 2017 season.

According to a report out of Venezuela, the Rockies have contacted Eddie Perez, the first base coach for the Atlanta Braves, about their managerial opening. Perez is currently managing the Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League. Earlier in the week, Reyes Urena, a reporter for Lider en Deportes, tweeted that Perez has been contacted by the Rockies.

The 48-year-old Perez is a Major League Baseball veteran as both a player and coach. He was a catcher with the Braves (1995-2001, 2004-05), Indians (2002) and Brewers (2003). In 11 seasons, he compiled a career .253 average with 40 career homers and 172 RBI in 564 games.

He has spent 10 seasons on the Braves’ coaching staff. According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, prior to this season, Hall of Fame former Braves manager Bobby Cox thought very highly of Perez as a potential MLB manager.

“Eddie is really a plus on any team. He would be a plus managing someday,” Cox said. “He’s still got young kids in high school and the family. He’s such a big family guy, and it’s hard for him to leave Atlanta right now. But I think in a couple years, he’ll be able to do that or whatever. He’s Major League managerial material, for sure.”

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The mention of Venezuela always perks the ears of Rockies fans as All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is a native of the South American country. Gerardo Parra and former Colorado slugger Andres Galarraga also hail from Venezuela.

Gonzalez and other Rockies are waiting to see who the team will hire for the opening created when Walt Weiss stepped down from his post the day after the 2016 season concluded.

While no official list of candidates has been announced by Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich, several names have been rumored. We have listed five potential candidates in this article and even discussed Eric Young as a possibility, but Glenallen Hill’s name has circulated quite a bit. Hill served as the manager for Colorado’s Triple-A squad in Albuquerque last season.

Next: Gerardo Parra Will be an Issue for Colorado's Next Manager

Aside from Perez, another name from outside the Rockies organizations who has been mentioned is former San Diego manager Bud Black.