The Colorado Rockies have selected the man they hope can lead a star-studded roster back to the World Series.
According to multiple reports, Bud Black to be the team's new manager after Walt Weiss stepped down in October following the expiration of his three-year contract. Fox Sports confirmed the news, which is expected to be made official Monday.
Black, 59, has plenty of managerial experience in MLB, going 649-713 in nine seasons in San Diego. He was fired after a 32-33 start in 2015.
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Black will have raised expectations in Colorado, which hasn't been relevant since 2009, two years after reaching the World Series.
While it's unclear whether the team will hang on to long time All-Star Carlos Gonzalez, frequently the target of trade talks in recent seasons, the lineup is dotted with young stars such as All-Star and Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado, who led the team in homers with 41; shortstop Trevor Story, the NL rookie of the year front-runner before a season-ending injury; second baseman DJ LeMahieu, the 2016 NL batting champion (.346); and slugging outfielder Charlie Blackmon (.324/.381/.552 with 29 homers and 82 RBIs in 2016).
Rockies starting pitching, so often a crippling weakness, is showing promise with a group of youngsters seemingly ready to break through.
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Black, a former pitcher during his playing days, was named NL Manager of the Year in 2010 after guiding the Padres to a 90-72 record. That team finished second in MLB with a collective ERA of 3.39.
Black served as a special assistant with the Angels last season.