Manager Charlie Manuel said a coach would be promoted from within the organization, with the leading candidates being Buffalo skipper Eric Wedge and minor-league field coordinator Jeff Datz.
"It definitely will be someone from our organization, down in the minor leagues," Manuel said. "It probably will take us four or five days. I'll go back to Winter Haven and call (GM) Mark (Shapiro), and we'll sit down and talk."
Losing Little was not unexpected. From the moment Joe Kerrigan was fired March 5 as Boston's skipper last week, Little was the favorite to replace him.
"I wish Grady all the luck in the world," Manuel said. "He's been a tremendous coach for us. But we have some good people to replace him." It's possible that a current Tribe coach will move into the bench-coach position and the newcomer will take over the incumbent coach's duties.
"That's one of the things I'll talk about with Mark," Manuel said.
Manuel might have had an inkling that Little would be hired. When Manuel arrived at Chain O' Lakes Park at 5:45 a.m., he learned that Little had been at the ballpark but already had left.
"Grady probably didn't get a lot of sleep last night," Manuel said.
How will Little do in Boston?
"Hopefully he won't make the Red Sox too good," Manuel said, jokingly.
When reminded that Little will take many of the Tribe's secrets with him, Manuel said, "We can change those secrets."
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