Brief Look At What Lies Ahead For Sox Coaching Staff

There’s no denying that a loss in the ALDS to the Los Angeles Angels was a major disappointment for this year’s Boston Red Sox squad. That being said, the local nine did win 95 games this year to clinch a playoff berth with a roster that saw as many people come through the doors as Drew Carey does on The Price Is Right.

With a makeshift starting rotation and gaping holes from the shortstop and catcher for a better part of the season, the Red Sox and their coaching staff should be proud of what they accomplished in 2009.  With these accomplishments, comes recognition, and that comes in the form of interviews from other teams and managements.

Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills and first base coach Tim Bogar have been granted permission to interview for the managerial vacancy with the Houston Astros.  The Cleveland Indians have also asked Theo Epstein and the Red Sox for permission to speak with pitching coach John Farrell regarding their vacancy at manager.  

With the managerial musical chairs bound to take place in the off-season, names will be thrown around like dice at a casino, (by the way has anyone heard the rumors of Dice-K going to Seattle?) nonetheless, Sox fans shouldn’t be too worried about Bogar landing a new job this off-season as the 42-year-old  has only been coaching since 2004, but that experience happened to be with Houston and Cleveland, so those openings open intriguing possibilites for Bogar.

Mills interviewed for the Seattle Mariners open managerial position last season before the Mariners decided on Don Wakamatsu as their manager.  Farrell, like Bogar, also has ties with the Indians, but figures to be in Boston for 2010 due to a clause in his contract saying he cannot leave to manage another team.  

Oh, lest not leave out hitting coach Dave Magadan, who may be leaving Boston but for other reasons than the other coaches.  Although the Red Sox did make the playoffs, the Sox had a season average of .270 with a mere .257 average away from Fenway which helped attribute to the 39-42 record on the road.  Their .270 average was down ten points from last year and Magadan could take some of the blame for the Sox quick exit from the playoffs as Boston proved in the playoffs and much of the season that they couldn’t hit good pitching, but just beat up on the pitching of the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.    

So Sox fans should keep a close on not only player movement, but the movement of the coaches as their departures could greatly affect the continuity and effectiveness of certain parts of the ball club.  And always remember, a coach earned is always better than a coach found. 

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