Dodgers News: Team Hires Hitting Coach

The coaching staff is starting to round out around Dave Roberts, as many expected. The Dodgers don’t have much time to take care of all this, as the Winter Meetings start within a week and there’s still much to be done.

Tuesday, after already hiring the bench coach (Bob Geren), sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney another key coaching job has been taking in the Dodgers’ dugout.

Sources: Turner Ward will be the Dodgers’ new hitting coach.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 2, 2015

ICYMI: Dodgers Hire Bob Geren As Roberts’ Bench Coach

Ward most recently was the Arizona Diamondbacks’ hitting coach, where that offense scored the second-most runs in the National League. It’s always hard to say how much is coaching and how much is having that Paul Goldscmidt guy around that leads to that kind of success, but it never hurts to take a deeper look at what Ward might’ve done for his part.

One interesting aspect to all this is that it seems, according to told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic this might’ve been in the cards all along.

From what I understand, it’s strictly a baseball decision. He’s still going to be in the game. I think he might have a better opportunity somewhere else.

Ward had, before that, rejected a contract offer from the Diamondbacks and, it seems, the Dodgers might’ve been that “better situation” mentioned above.

Roberts, Ward and the rest of the coaching staff will have their work cut out for them, as the offense was among one of the top frustrations a season ago.

Left on the list of coaching positions needed to fill out: pitching coach (though still widely considered to be Rich Honeycutt), bullpen coach and resident Yasiel Puig whisperer. Okay, maybe one of those is made up.