Orioles coaching staff nearing completion: Castro, Hale
Looks like the Orioles 2012 coaching staff is just about set.
The club is expected to hire former Milwaukee Brewers coach Bill Castro to be bullpen coach and would like to hire Boston Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale to be third base coach, according to an industry source.
Hale’s situation is a little tricky since he is still under contract with the Red Sox, who don’t currently have a manager and therefore cannot commit to whether Hale will be retained. The Orioles hope to know this week whether Hale will join them and manager Buck Showalter, who worked with Hale for three seasons in Texas.
The Orioles are considering other options if Hale remains in Boston.
Hale, 50, was on Showalter’s coaching staff in Texas from 2003 to 2005. He has spent the past six seasons as a coach for Red Sox, including four as a third base coach. A former first baseman/outfielder in the minors, Hale also would be in charge of infield instruction with the Orioles.
Showalter is looking for an experienced third base coach to replace Willie Randolph and Hale fits that requirement. Long considered a future manager, Hale likely would have been a candidate for the Orioles’ managerial job this offseason if Showalter had moved to the front office.
Castro, 59, spent 10 seasons as a major-league pitcher, almost all as a reliever, with the Brewers, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals. He spent nearly two decades as a bullpen coach and, at times, a pitching coach with the Brewers.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Castro would be the Orioles’ lone Spanish-speaking coach.
The Orioles other four coaches are: Jim Presley (hitting), Rick Adair (pitching) Wayne Kirby (outfield/first base) and John Russell (bench/catching).
It’s possible the Orioles could also hire a seventh coach, who would be able to suit up before games, but must be out of uniform and out of the dugout by game time.
Former Orioles infielder Mike Bordick could potentially fill that role during home games and then work with minor leaguers when the Orioles are on the road. Or he could continue in a full-time minor league instruction position.
MASNsports.com first reported Castro as a candidate for the bullpen job and mlb.com first reported Castro agreed to the position.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Dan,
Do you think they went with Hale over Bordick because of his experience, as well as they feel Bordick is more valuable working with their minor league players? I've heard good things about Hale so I don't have an issue with this move. Seems like the next young core to make an impact will be the minor league infielders so I was just curious if Bordick is more needed there.
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I think they really like Bordick working with the minor league infielders. But I think Bordick would do well with the major leaguers, too. I think it comes down to the fact that Buck Showalter wanted a veteran third base coach and it just so happens that a respected one who he has a friendship and relationship with is available.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | November 29, 2011 12:19 AM
Can you clarify "an industry source"? Do you mean with a team, the league, the commissioner, the media? Just wondering, since I'm not used to the term "industry" in the realm of sports, although I don't question your characterization.
Posted by: maumau | December 1, 2011 12:52 PM