Heyman: Brewers favor Valentine

When the day finally arrives, I fully expect Anthony Franciosa to get the gig before Valentine.

Bobby Valentine appears to be the leading candidate for the Brewers managerial job, sources close to the team say.

Valentine, the former Mets and Rangers manager, is said by two sources familiar with the Brewers’ situation to be the likely first choice of the Brewers and expected him to receive an offer, with White Sox coach Joey Cora the probable first fall-back candidate if a contract can’t be reached with Valentine. Former Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin is believed to be the third choice, and Angels coach Ron Roenicke the fourth choice—although, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said in a phone interview Saturday with Sports Illustrated that GM Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash were still making calls to gather information about the finalists through the weekend and that there was “no lead horse’’ yet.

“All four candidates are under consideration. We have no lead horse, and we are working through the weekend on this,’’ Attanasio said in a brief phone interview.