Report: Raul Ibanez withdraws from Rays managerial field

Raul Ibanez has reportedly withdrawn his name from the Tampa Bay Rays managerial search.

Raul Ibanez has withdrawn his name from the Tampa Bay Rays managerial search due to family considerations, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. 

Ibanez was one of three finalists for the opening, along with Kevin Cash and Don Wakamatsu. Tampa Bay has been looking for a new manager since the departure of longtime manager Joe Maddon, who has since been hired by the Chicago Cubs. 

According to Topkin, Ibanez was supposed to interview with the Rays on Thursday.

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#Rays were looking to make manager announcement by end of week, would assume it's more likely now deciding between only Cash and Wakamatsu

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 4, 2014

Ibanez is currently a free agent and has no coaching experience. He has spent 19 years as a player in the majors. 

The search is now down to Cash and Wakamatsu. Wakamatsu is currently the Kansas City Royals bench coach and managed the Seattle Mariners in 2009 and 2010, when he became the first Asian-American manager in MLB. Cash, a former catcher, is currently the Cleveland Indians bullpen coach.

Tampa Bay went 77-85 in 2014, finishing in fourth in the AL East. 

- Molly Geary