The Los Angeles Dodgers formally introduced manager Dave Roberts on Tuesday, which gave him the opportunity to discuss philosophy and rounding out the coaching staff, among other topics.
While the Dodgers front office is perceived as having their hand in day-to-day matters with the manager, team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Roberts is leading the search for coaches to add to the staff.
Roberts spoke highly of Rick Honyecutt, but didn’t outright state he’d return as pitching coach.
Regardless of the candidate, the Dodgers’ rookie manager said he values coaches who are capable of leading and teaching, and can gain trust from the players.
Friedman sidestepped a question regarding the role Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler will hold moving forward as Kapler was a finalist for the managerial vacancy.
According to Ken Rosnethal of FOX Sports, Kapler will be part of Roberts’ staff:
Sources: Gabe Kapler expected to be part of Dave Roberts’ coaching staff with #Dodgers.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 2, 2015
However, while it was widely speculated Kapler would become bench coach, that position will instead by held by New York Mets bench coach Bob Geren:
Sources: Bob Geren leaving #Mets to become #Dodgers’ bench coach.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 2, 2015
Like Kapler, Geren also interviewed for the Dodgers’ manager job. Geren’s previous experience includes four and a half years as manager of the Oakland Athletics.
His coaching history includes time as Minor League manager in the Boston Red Sox organization in the 1990s, A’s Minor League manager and A’s bench coach.
The Mets hired Geren as bench coach in October 2011. He was fired by Oakland 63 games into the 2011 season, who suffered numerous injuries to their pitching staff (including Brett Anderson and Brandon McCarthy) and were 27-36 at the time.
Kapler joined the Dodgers in November 2014. His managerial experience is limited to a single season in Low-A ball with the Greenville Drive in 2007, a Red Sox affiliate. He was also a coach for Team Israel during the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament in 2012.
With Geren assuming the role as bench coach, Kapler would appear bound for the first or third base coach position. The Dodgers are also expected to add former Arizona Diamondbacks hitting coach Turner Ward in the same capacity.
Former hitting coach Mark McGwire was officially named to the San Diego Padres staff as bench coach on Wednesday.
