MLB GM Meetings Day 1 Recap: Coaching changes around the league, Yankees owner speaks to media
The San Diego Padres are in search for a new manager after they fired Bob Melvin after the season. Melvin has already been named the new manager of the San Francisco Giants after they fired Gabe Kapler.
According to Jon Heyman, Mike Schildt is seen by many as the favorite for the the Padres job. Heyman continues that other candidates include Ryan Flaherty, Benji Gil, and Phil Nevin.
Schildt was originlly hired for player development by the Padres last year, but ended up taking over as the interim third base coach after Matt Williams had hip surgery.
Prior to the Padres, the 55 year old, was the St. Louis Cardinals manager from 2018-2021. He won NL manager of the year in 2019 and had a regular season record of 252-199. In the postseason the Cardinals went 4-9 during his tenure.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune added that David Ross could be in consideration as well. Ross was surprisingly fired after the Chicago Cubs brought in Craig Counsell, now the former Brewers manager.
Ross won a world series as a player for the 2016 Cubs and was an NL manager of the year finalist in 2020. With multiple managerial openings, Ross could be back in a lead role shortly.
Ken Rosenthal posted the following list of names under consideration for the Brewers new manager. Bench coaches Pat Murphy (MIL), Don Mattingly (TOR), and Joe Espada (HOU); Dodgers 1B Coach Clayton McCullough, Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker; former Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.
White Sox hire Marcus Thames as their new hitting coach
Marcus Thames will be the new hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox per Robert Murray of Fanside. Chicago fired Jose Castro after just one season in October. Thames will be hired away from the Angels, where he held the same title this past season.
Thames was also the hitting coach for the Yankees (2018-2021) and Marlins (2022). In his career, the 46 year old played for the Yankees, Rangers, Tigers and Dodgers. Over nine seasons he hit .246 with 115 homeruns. He last played in 2011 and started as a hitting coach in High-A in 2013.
Yankees offered James Rowson the hitting coach job
Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post the New York Yankees have offered James Rowson their open hitting coaching job. Rowson, served as the assistant hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers this past season. Previously, he was the hitting coach for the Cubs and Twins, and the Marlins bench coach.
In the minor leagues he was the Yankees’ hitting coordinator for six seasons. The 47 year old held that role during two stints, 2008-11 and then from 2014-16. In his second time in the role he got to work with Aaron Judge as he was coming up through the Yankees system.
Rowson would be taking over for Sean Casey after he stepped down after the season. Casey was hired mid-season when he took over for Dillon Lawson.
Hal Steinbrenner talks about Yankees offseason
Owner Hal Steinbrenner spoke with reports via Zoom today and was not impressed with how the New York Yankees season went. Yankees finished fourth in the AL East at 82-80 and missed the playoffs. They had a run differential of -25 which was 6th worst in the American League.
“It was awful. We accomplished nothing…the fans didn’t get anywhere close to what they deserve. We’re going to do everything we can to right the ship for 2024.”
Based on this it sounds like an all in kind of offseason. However, Steinbrenner is taking more of a calculated approach and not looking to spend a bunch of money out to solve all their problems.
“I do believe that a team shouldn’t need a $300 million payroll. The Rangers didn’t, the Astros didn’t. What you need is a good mix of veteran players and young players. We’re going to get a bit younger.”
Nationals to hire Miguel Cairo as Bench Coach
The Washington Nationals have decided to hire Miguel Cairo as their new bench coach, first reported by Mike Mayer. Mayer was a minor league coordinator with the New York Mets this past season.
Nationals manager Davey Martinez was teammates with Cairo with Tampa Bay for part of three seasons between 1998 and 2000. Mark Zuckerman of MASN said that Martinez has always spoke highly of Cairo.
Prior to the Mets he was the bench coach for Tony La Russa and the White Sox in 2021. Before that he had was a special assistant in the front office with the Cincinnati Reds and then worked in player development and as minor league coordinator for the Yankees.
In his career he was utility man bounced around to nine different teams. From 1990-2012 he mostly played second base with 749 appearances. Overall, he fielded every defensive position except catcher and centerfield.
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