REPORT: Renteria emerges as Cubs’ top choice

Sep 25, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres out fielder

(right) with bench coach Rick Renteria (middle) and first base coach

(third from righr) during the National Anthem prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria has emerged as the organization’s clear-cut choice to replace Dale Sveum, who was dismissed last month after back-to-back 95-loss seasons.

Nightengale says the support Renteria has within the Cubs organization is “staggering” – leading many to believe the search my be nearing an end. Other candidates that have interviewed for the position include former Nationals and Indians skipper Manny Acta, Padres’ special assistant A.J. Hinch and Tampa Bay bench coach Dave Martinez – who interviewed this week.

Renteria managed in the minors for the Florida Marlins organization back in 1998 until 2001. He later moved on as a hitting coach in 2003 for the Lake Elsinore Storm for the Padres organization.

In 2004, he took over the manager job for that team and managed them for three seasons. In 2007 Renteria moved up to Triple-A to become the skipper for the Portland Beavers before being promoted to the major league club in 2008.

He wasn’t named the Padres bench coach until 2011 and managed the Mexico team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Renteria was able to work with a number of Latin players in San Diego, including Everth Cabrera, Yonder Alonso and Alexi Amarista during the 2013 season.

This is believed to be one of the main desires of the front office, given the high number of Latino players coming through the Cubs’ organization in coming years.

Renteria was originally drafted by the Cubs in 1982, making his debut for them in 1986 and playing three years before moving on to the now-extinct Montreal Expos.