As the Los Angeles Dodgers’ extensive search for Don Mattingly’s replacement carries on, vacancies across the league have been filled with clubs now focused on making hires for their respective coaching staffs.
The Washington Nationals announced on Thursday Dodgers first base coach Davey Lopes was joining Dusty Baker’s staff under the same position he held in Los Angeles. Lopes thus far is the first of the 2015 Dodgers coaches to take a job with another team.
While there is expected to be additional changes, one holdover from last season will be Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt has a new two-year deal to stay with the Dodgers, sources say. The deal is expected to pay Honeycutt about $750,000 a year, putting him in the upper echelon of pitching coaches.
Although Heyman didn’t give any indication as such, it was previously reported talks between the Dodgers and Honeycutt involved a transition from pitching coach to a special assistant role after two seasons.
It’s believed Mattingly was interested in taking Honeycutt with him to the Miami Marlins organization. Mattingly publicly admitted to as much in regards to Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach.
Wallach is believed to be among the candidates for the Dodgers’ managerial vacancy, but said he will join Mattingly if not hired by Los Angeles.
Honeycutt has served as the Dodgers’ pitching coach for the last 10 seasons; previously coaching under Grady Little, Joe Torre and Mattingly.
The Dodgers pitching staff last season ranked fifth overall with a 3.46 ERA and third with a 1.18 WHIP. The Dodgers’ 23.5 strikeout percentage was good for third-best in the Majors.
