Dodgers Rumors: Tim Wallach Emerging As Bench Coach Candidate?
Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach has made the rounds this off-season trying to land a managerial job. There were openings in Detroit, Washington and Seattle that peaked Wallach’s interest, but yet again, he wasn’t hired.
Wallach was a finalist for the Tigers job, but former Dodgers catcher Brad Ausmus got the job and the Mariners hired Lloyd McClendon this afternoon. However, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLA.com, Wallach will be back next season and his role is to be determined:
It has not been determined yet what role Wallach will play for the Dodgers next year. He’s considered a candidate for bench coach
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) November 6, 2013
During the Don Mattingly ordeal, the Dodgers picked up Wallach’s 2014 option as well as the options for coaches Rick Honeycutt and Davey Lopes. Mattingly’s closest friend and bench coach Trey Hillman was fired as management plans to hire a better in-game strategist to be his new right-hand man.
Wallach could be a bench coach candidate as he does have managerial experience at the minor league level and people around baseball believe he’s the next coach to get a managerial job.
There hasn’t been a list of candidates for the bench coach position, but former Reds manager Dusty Baker, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long and possibly ESPN baseball analyst Manny Acta have been rumored as hypothetical candidates.
The Dodgers still have to clear up Mattingly’s contract situation, but it sounds management could be in a position to promote Wallach to the bench coach position.
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In case you missed it-Dodgers Decline Mark Ellis And Chris Capuano Options
Anything to get him out of the third base coaches box! Put Davey Lopes there, he would know when and when not to send someone home!