All quiet on coaching front
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is undergoing the first of two knee surgeries today in Texas, meaning that I highly doubt that any final decisions will be made on the coaching staff before tomorrow.
Perhaps, later this week is a more realistic date. As of late yesterday afternoon, Showalter had still yet to talk to any of his coaches since the Oct. 3 season finale.
Showalter continues to say that he wants to have his coaching staff in place sooner rather than later, but there are some "moving chairs" involved so you can't rush the process.
I'm not completely sure what that means, but I assume that Don Wakamatsu and Brian Butterfield, two candidates to join the staff, would want to gauge their chances for the numerous available managerial jobs before agreeing to take coaching positions in Baltimore. I would also assume that one of Showalter's former pitching coaches, Mark Connor, who is currently employed by the Texas Rangers, will want to wait for the Rangers' season to end before agreeing to take a position with another organization.
Again, I'm not saying that any or all of the three are definitive choices to join Showalter here, but it's safe to say that they're all being considered.
It's also safe to say that Showalter has some tough decisions on his hands.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
I wonder if the O's gave Showalter an MRI before they signed him. If not, this is a HUGE mistake......i kid people, i kid :D
Posted by: JB | October 12, 2010 2:25 PM
What kind of knee surgeries? Replacement?
Posted by: Harry Nogle | October 12, 2010 3:33 PM
I always wonder why the O's sent their pitchers to AAA to "find themselves" or "work on their mechanics" under Mike Griffin rather than keeping them at the ML level to work with Rick Kranitz? If the fixit guy is at AAA, why not bring him the ML to do his thing. How much interaction goes on between Griffin and Kranitz during the year? Other than taking a Ml roster spot, I would think you wouldn't want players bouncing between levels just to refine things.
Posted by: Tom | October 12, 2010 3:57 PM
Wasn't Mark Connor here before??
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I don't believe he was.
Posted by: jls | October 12, 2010 5:03 PM
It's OK JB. In this instance MRI stands for Major Respect Intervention.
Posted by: Dennis | October 12, 2010 6:03 PM
One of the Giants and one of the Phillies pitchers were mentioned to be sent down to AAA to "find themselves" after being slapped around at ML. Same with our fellas. Less pressure. More time to get head straight.
Posted by: tangolimagolf | October 12, 2010 7:59 PM
JEFF, I am not surprised it will take a little longer to make his coaching decisions with his 2 knee surgerys to be done. I also thonk the post season and great finish and considering orioles ties all expand those he is considering.. I think he wants to move a few guys and wait until after post season on others so I was surprised he announced wanting to do it so quickly even though I respect his wish to let the coaches know his plan ASAP.
Posted by: grant | October 13, 2010 9:49 AM
How about Mike Griffin as the pitching coach? He trained the young arms so let him grow with him. Griff's a real student of the game. His prodigy include the Red Sox staff -Papelbon & Co. If he has the same result here, could be sweet.
Of course this means breaking the Os old Oriole network. Also not a bad thing.
Posted by: chuck | October 13, 2010 6:04 PM
does buck have total say on these coaches, or are macFudd & others in on this? didn't higher-ups decide mazilli's coaches? joking about macfudd barb. he's done ok. mark wiley was here, but mark connor?
Posted by: pilarcik2@cox.net | October 13, 2010 9:17 PM