Raul Ibanez is among eight candidates on the preliminary list the Tampa Bay Rays are considering for their next manager.

Others include bench coach David Martinez, former Washington and Cleveland manager Manny Acta, Milwaukee special assistant Craig Counsell, minor league manager Charlie Montoyo, Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, former Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu and Indians coach Kevin Cash.

Tampa Bay has been searching for a replacement for Joe Maddon since Oct. 24, when he opted out of the final year of his contract after leading the Rays to playoff berths four of the past seven seasons. Maddon was hired to manage the Chicago Cubs.