Nats interview DeMarlo Hale for managerial job

Nats interview DeMarlo Hale for managerial job
Another candidate for the Nationals' managerial job has emerged, as the team recently interviewed Blue Jays bench coach DeMarlo Hale, a source familiar with the situation confirmed this afternoon. Hale joins Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams and Padres executive Brad Ausmus as external candidates to have interviewed for the Nationals' managerial opening. Nats bench coach Randy Knorr and third base coach Trent Jewett are the two clear candidates from within the organization. Hale...

Nothing new with McLouth

Nothing new with McLouth
I'll begin this Sunday morning with a health update. DayQuil and NyQuil don't work. At least, not for my cold, which hasn't gotten any better. I'm attempting to limit my coughing to once every 14 seconds as I type this entry. Wish me luck. As I scroll through the comments on my Twitter account (@MASNroch), I'm frequently asked for updates on outfielder Nate McLouth. There's nothing new to report, unfortunately. He's still a free agent and the Orioles are still interested in re-signing...

Other possible replacements for Hale (updated)

Other possible replacements for Hale (updated)
The Blue Jays haven't announced the hiring of DeMarlo Hale as bench coach, but that's the word on the street. I've been told that he's "getting the job." It would take a drastic reversal for Hale to remain as Orioles third base coach. I wrote last night that Triple-A manager Ron Johnson could emerge as a leading in-house candidate. Another possibility could be Bobby Dickerson, who currently serves as minor league infield coordinator and has filled in as bullpen coach. Dickerson was a...

Sources: Hale to be named Blue Jays bench coach

Sources: Hale to be named Blue Jays bench coach
The Orioles apparently will need to find a new third base coach for 2013. The Toronto Blue Jays will hire DeMarlo Hale as their bench coach, according to two industry sources. One source said Hale could receive a three-year contract. The Orioles will retain five of their six coaches, having reached agreements with pitching coach Rick Adair and hitting coach Jim Presley over the past week. Hale was the last remaining unsigned coach, and the Orioles made him an offer to return next...

A few leftovers for breakfast (and spring training note)

A few leftovers for breakfast (and spring training note)
The immediate reaction from fans on this blog to yesterday's trade between the Orioles and Mariners seemed to lean more toward disappointment than indifference. Second baseman Robert Andino won over a lot of people with his walk-off single to beat the Red Sox in the final game of the 2011 season. They liked his swagger, his willingness to fill any role and his occasional movie reviews that were played on the video board at Camden Yards. He evolved into a lovable character, and one who really...

Will Orioles coaching staff stay intact?

Will Orioles coaching staff stay intact?
The Red Sox did exactly what had been rumored pretty much since their former manager, Bobby Valentine, criticized Kevin Youkilis earlier this year. They arranged for John Farrell to become their new manager. Orioles third base coach DeMarlo Hale interviewed for the job, but the Red Sox made their decision a long time ago. They just needed to complete the rare player-for-manager trade with the Blue Jays, which they did by sending Mike Aviles to Toronto. The first time I ever heard of such a...

Steve Johnson talks about his season and upcoming clinic

Steve Johnson talks about his season and upcoming clinic
It doesn't seem that long ago that Steve Johnson was deciding whether he should re-sign with the Orioles. And later, whether he should become a minor league free agent if the Orioles didn't place him on the 40-man roster. Now he's still washing champagne out of his hair. Johnson's professional life took some crazy turns, including the one that pointed him toward the playoffs. He won all four of his major league decisions, posting a 2.11 ERA and striking out 46 batters in 38 1/3 innings....

Hail Hale for another aggressive send, plus Bundy video (O's win 3-1 in 11)

Hail Hale for another aggressive send, plus Bundy video (O's win 3-1 in 11)
The Orioles news seems to run together, but I seem to remember a conference call being set up at the Winter Meetings for new coach DeMarlo Hale, formerly of the Boston Red Sox. I didn't know much about Hale, but I've learned that he's one heck of a third base coach. Hale hasn't gotten much heat on this blog. Third base coaches can be lightening rods. They're too passive or they get too many runners thrown out at the plate. Hale will never be mistaken for passive. He's pretty...

A few words from the coach working with Reynolds on his defense

A few words from the coach working with Reynolds on his defense
He is the man on the Orioles coaching staff that started working with Mark Reynolds on his defense during spring camp and will continue to try and help Reynolds make needed improvements with his defense. DeMarlo Hale is the Orioles' third-base coach, but also works with the team's infielders. He served on Terry Francona's Red Sox coaching staffs the last six years, the last two as bench coach. He was a coach with Texas before that for four seasons and for three of his seasons there...

Day Three in Dallas

Day Three in Dallas
DALLAS - For me, this feels like the final day of the Winter Meetings. From a workload and stress standpoint, tomorrow is a breeze compared to the others. Executives, scouts, agents and reporters bail after the Rule 5 draft, which is held in the morning. Today is expected to be busy for a lot of teams, including the Orioles, who could make a trade and perhaps announce their coaching staff for next season. We might have our first Scott Boras sighting, which is like the circus coming to town,...

Coaching staff closer to being finalized

Coaching staff closer to being finalized
I wrote this morning that former Brewers pitcher Bill Castro had emerged as a leading candidate to become bullpen coach, and nothing has changed. He's still the top choice at the moment, but I'm told that a final decision hasn't been made. Castro twice served as bullpen and pitching coach with the Brewers before being fired on Aug. 12, 2009. He was the pitching coach for the Dominican Republic's entry in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. He would give manager Buck Showalter a desired...