Mackanin was 917-849 in 13 years as a minor league manager, finishing in first place five times. He also managed four years of winter ball in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
A former infielder, he played 548 games with the Rangers, Expos, Phillies and Twins from 1973-81. He hit 226.
Sveum, who turns 48 next month, was the Red Sox third base coach from 2004-05. He has been with the Brewers in the six seasons since, serving as third base coach, bench coach and hitting coach under three managers.
Sveum became interim manager in 2008, leading the Brewers to a 7-5 record and a playoff spot. Milwaukee then lost a division series against the Phillies in four games. The Phillies went on to win the World Series.
Sveum has three years of minor league managing experience, all coming with Pittsburgh from 2001-03. He was 213-211 and led Altoona (Pa.) to the 2003 Eastern League playoffs.
Sveum played 12 years in the majors (1986-99) for the Brewers, Phillies, White Sox, Athletics, Mariners, Pirates and Yankees. He hit .235 with 69 home runs.
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In other news, 148 players became free agents today and can start signing with new teams as of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.
Under the few streamlined free agency rules, players no longer have to "file" for free agency. It's automatic.
Those Red Sox now free agents: LHP Erik Bedard, OF J.D. Drew, INF-OF Conor Jackson, LHP Trever Miller, DH David Ortiz, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, C Jason Varitek, RHP Tim Wakefield.
The Red Sox are in active negotiations with Ortiz and there is a possibility he could sign prior to entering the market. There is virtually no chance that will happen with Papelbon, who has long been intent on entering the market and told the Red Sox that.
