Would Kevin Cash Leave Rays For Guardians?

Peter Gammons says "the Rays are a little concerned" about Kevin Cash leaving Tampa Bay for the Cleveland Guardians.

There will be many names rumored to be interested in the Cleveland Guardians managerial vacancy until it's filled. One name who has continued to appear in these conversations is Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash.

Is there a real possibility that Cash could become Cleveland's next skipper? Does he have an interest in the job? How does Tampa feel about all of this? 

Let's get into it.

All of the rumors about Cash coming to Cleveland stem from his relationship with former Guardians manager Terry Francona. The two became very good friends after Cash played for Francona in Boston. Tito also brought Cash on as a bullpen coach after he took the open manager job with Cleveland in 2013. 

The two had a lot of great memories coaching together in Cleveland, but Cash took Tampa's open manager position on December 5, 2014.

So, there is already a history between Cash, Francona, and the Cleveland organization. All of that is important when it comes to hiring a new manager.

Of course, fans quickly pointed to all of this as a reason why Cash may want to come to Cleveland with Fracnona retiring and staying with the organization in some sort of unspecified role.

Hall Of Fame sports writer Peter Gammons recently made news saying Cash coming to the Guardians is, "something people (in Tampa Bay) worry about. He loved Cleveland. He loved Tito. I know the Rays are a little concerned about it. It's an intriguing thought."

.@pgammo on @afternoon923FAN on the possibility of #Rays manager Kevin Cash leaving: "It's something people there worry about. He loved Cleveland. He loved Tito. I know the Rays are a little concerned about it. It's an intriguing thought."

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 6, 2023

There is one massive roadblock even if the Guardians wanted to hire Cash right now and the Rays manager was ready to sign that deal. Cash is under contract with the Rays through the 2025 season. He has two more years committed to managing Tampa Bay before he can move on to another organization.

Jul 26, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) looks on during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports / © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe down the line, we'll see Cash succeed Tito in Cleveland making it a full-circle moment. He has a tremendous track record managing the 2020 Rays to the World Series and operates a team similarly run as the Guardians. 

It would be great to see Cash in Cleveland, but it seems unlikely to happen.