The Boston Red Sox appear to be progressing in their search for a general manager.

Ben Cherington stepped down as Boston's GM when Dave Dombrowski was hired as president last month.

Frank Wren, Dan O'Dowd, Mike Hazen, Jerry Dipoto, De Jon Watson and Billy Eppler have been linked to the position, but a new candidate has emerged.

One of the first interviews completed will be with Houston Astros director of player development Quinton McCracken.

McCracken, 45, would be the second top executive lost by Houston if hired. The Astros have already lost assistant general manager David Stearns, who was officially named general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.