Mariners Make Changes in Coaching Staff

Before I was able to give out my report card for 2017 the Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday morning changes to the 2018 coaching staff; Tim Bogar who was the bench coach and Casey Candaele the first base coach will not return next season. Like always there is speculation why they are not coming back. Were they fired and released of their duties or did they ask to be released. We may never know or we will be told in days ahead. In Bogars case he might be looking for manager’s position. He was a finalist for the Mariners job and he managed the Texas Rangers on interim basis.

Bogars duties besides being bench coach he worked on the infield defense. What I have seen when it comes to defense on the infield Kyle Seager hasn’t performed as well since he won the gold glove. The last two years he has made more errors especially in critical times. Robinson Cano didn’t do as well this year either. Whether Bogar had anything to do with it we don’t know at all but could have been the reason he is no longer around.

Candaele worked with the outfield were among the best in the American League however he was in charge of base running as well. This was an area that the Mariners have been the weakest in the last several years even before Servais became manager and this could have been his demise.

Manny Acta who was third base coach now takes over Bogars spot as bench coach. Also he will be working with the infielders and defensive positioning. Scott Brosius who was Edgar’s assistant as hitting coach will take over as third base coach and will work with the players on base running. I expect this will be a big emphasis in spring training. On his last radio show of the season this is what he indicated any way.

Edgar and Mel Jr will be returning as hitting and pitching coaches. You have to give Edgar a lot of credit on how Zunino improved over the season along with the other players. The Mariners are expected to name another assistant coach and that should be helping Edgar once again.

I felt that Mel did an outstanding job as pitching coach especially with so many injuries to the starters and having to go with forty pitches in all. Many of those pitchers Mel had no experience with them before this season. I am sure he will look forward to having fewer changes in the pitching staff next season.

Nasusel Cabrera will return but not necessarily as the bullpen coach the position he took over around mid-season when Mike Hampton resigned. He will be up as one of the candidates for bullpen coach but the Mariners may put him in another position as well.

Chris Prieto who was special projects coach was promoted to be first base coach for the Mariners. It will be interesting if someone will fill his spot as special projects coach. We know at this time an assistant coach and bullpen coach will be added on.

We won’t be really able to know whether these changes will improve the Mariners next season however I am sure they will. Like stated earlier the Mariners will need to improve on base running and infield defense. I believe that Jean Segura had a solid season at shortstop better than I think any of us expected after playing second base at Arizona. Danny Valencia played a solid first base before Yonder Alonzo came in August that turned Valencia a part time player for the remaining of the season. Besides playing first base Valencia did see some action in right field. In fact the offense at times looked good when Alonso and Valencia were in the lineup at the same time.

Anyway I will start the report card of the 2017 this week unless the Mariners make other transactions over the next few days. So best of luck to Bogar and Candaele in their future endeavors.