Many teams throughout Major League Baseball took notice of the success the Los Angeles Dodgers had in 2017, as many of their front office and coaching staff members have been either considered or hired for positions with other teams.
The most recent was bullpen coach Josh Bard, who left to become the bench coach on Aaron Boone’s staff with the New York Yankees. Previously, Dodgers former director of player development, Gabe Kapler, earned his first managerial job with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Additionally, former vice president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos was hired as the executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Braves. Then on the coaching staff, former assistant hitting coach Tim Hyers became the new hitting coach of the Boston Red Sox.
While third base coach Chris Woodward ultimately didn’t get the job, he interviewed for the Yankees managerial opening. The one constant within the Dodgers organization the past 12 years has been pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, who is the third-longest tenured pitching coach in baseball.
His contract, like other Dodgers coaches, was up after the 2017 season. And while it was originally reported that he wouldn’t be returning, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at his end-of-the-year press conference that he expects Honeycutt to return for a 13th season.
He reiterated that at the Winter Meetings on Monday, as according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Friedman assured Honeycutt will remain with the team:
Friedman said Rick Honeycutt is definitely coming back. #Dodgers #WinterMeetings
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) December 11, 2017
Honeycutt’s impact on the organization has definitely been felt as in his 12-year tenure the Dodgers have sported the best cumulative ERA in the Majors. This season, they led the National League with a 3.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .228 opponents’ batting average, and with 1,549 strikeouts, which also set a franchise record.
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has always spoken very highly of Honeycutt, as did Yu Darvish, who got a chance to work with him in 2017 after being acquired from the Texas Rangers.
It is clear that Honeycutt is highly respected within the league, so it is nice to see that he will remain with the organization for the foreseeable future.
