MLB news roundup: Angels’ hirings, Zduriencik near extension, Rockies co-owner receives DUI
News and notes from around the baseball world Tuesday night.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Angels announced Tuesday evening that they have hired Gary DiSarcina as their new third base coach.
DiSarcina spent his entire 12-year career as a shortstop with the Angels, playing in the seventh-most games in franchise history. He had served as a field coordinator for Los Angeles before leaving to take on a year as manager of the Red Sox’s Triple-A team.
“After working with Gary during the 2012 season and getting to know him personally and professionally, I do not think there is a better solution for the position on our staff,” said general manager Jerry Dipoto. “With his lineage to this organization, the relationships he has with so many personnel past and present, and his knowledge of our organization overall, his addition is advantageous on so many levels”
This will be DiSarcina’s first time taking on a job as a coach in the major leagues.
Angels also add an Eckstein to coaching staff
No, not David Eckstein. The Angels hired his older brother Rick to fill a role on the team’s coaching staff in 2014, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Eckstein had previously served as hitting coach for the Washington Nationals, but was fired from the position midseason in 2013. He will fill a hybrid role for the Angels, taking on a variety of duties including possibly acting as assistant hitting coach to Don Baylor.
In addition, he will be the team’s advanced scout, going over charts, matchups and numbers before the game to give other coaches an idea of what strategy they will want to take.
Red Sox in contact with Saltalamacchia’s representatives
The Boston Red Sox have reached out to Jarrod Saltalamacchia's agents in an effort to show the team is still interested in re-signing the free agent catcher, reports Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
Earlier Tuesday, Saltalamacchia expressed frustration that the team had not yet reached out to him, saying that he still would like to play in Boston. However, Saltalamacchia admitted that his concerns may have been premature. Later, rumors came out that Brian McCann, the top catcher on the free agent market, was interested in playing for Boston.
Saltalamacchia did not receive a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, but has already fielded calls from several teams interested in procuring his services. He has spend the last three years starting for Boston with his best season coming in 2013 as he hit .273/.338/.466 with 14 home runs.
Rockies owner receives DUI
Colorado Rockies co-owner Charlie Monfort was arrested on Monday in Windsor, Colo., under suspicion of driving under the influence, reports the Denver Post.
Charlie, the brother of fellow owner Dick Monfort, was released Tuesday afternoon on a $2,500 bond and will be arraigned in Weld County on Nov. 19.
Charlie Monfort has been slowly removed from day-to-day operations of the Rockies, with Dick taking over most of the responsibilities of running the team. Dick gave the following statement on his brother’s arrest:
”I am extremely saddened and very disappointed to learn of my brother Charlie’s arrest last night in Windsor, Colorado on DUI charges. We all understand the seriousness of this offense and the potential consequences involved when the decision to drink and drive is made. I am thankful that no one was injured. As troubling and intolerable as these actions are, I can tell you that I’m focused on helping Charlie get the resources he needs to overcome this problem.“Monfort was also arrested for a DUI in 1999, though charges in that case were reduced to driving while impaired.
Jack Zduriencik to receive extension?
After coming to an agreement with Lloyd McClendon to be the Seattle Mariners' new manager, general manager Jack Zduriencik is poised to receive a contract extension soon, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.
Zduriencik originally came to a three-year deal with the Mariners to take the position in 2009 with two previous contract extensions pushing the deal through 2014. However, he has yet to receive a new extension as he enters a lame duck year.
His time with the Mariners has been polarizing, as some have been calling for Zduriencik to be fired for years while others remain firm believers he is the right man for the job. Soon, the team will make a decision on which side it falls.
Wallach possibility for Dodgers' bench
After being passed over for several open managerial positions this offseason, Tim Wallach is a candidate to take over the vacant bench coach position with the Dodgers, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
A five-time All-Star as a third baseman, Wallach has spent his entire coaching career with the Dodgers. He first joined the staff as a hitting coach before being reassigned as a minor league manager. He has been the third base coach in Los Angeles for the past three seasons.
The Dodgers fired bench coach Trey Hillman on Oct. 23. The team has been looking for someone to fill the position with manager Don Mattingly returning for at least one more season. Being promoted to bench coach could be a sign the Dodgers see Wallach as a possible candidate for manager should Mattingly not be retained after the 2014 season.
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