The Orioles have made two changes to their coaching staff. Pitching coach Doug Brocail and third base coach José Flores will not return in 2021, according to industry sources.
The news was first reported by MASNsports.com
Brocail, who worked with executive vice president/general Mike Elias in Houston, and Flores, who worked with manager Brandon Hyde with the Chicago Cubs, coached for the Orioles the past two seasons.
The Orioles are cutting their staff to reduce the budget, according to a source. The Orioles had eight full-time coaches this past season.
Brocail, 53, pitched 15 seasons in the major leagues and served as pitching coach for the Astros from June 2011 to the end of the 2012 season, and for the Texas Rangers from 2016-2018.
In Brocail’s first season, the Orioles had a league-worst 5.59 ERA. This season, it improved to 4.51, ninth-best in the American League.
Flores, who was appointed the Cubs’ minor league field coordinator when Hyde ran their minor league system, moved to Philadelphia and was a coach for the Phillies in 2018.
He was among the first coaches hired by the Orioles after Hyde’s appointment in December 2018. Besides his third base duties, Flores was the team’s infield and baserunning coach.
The Orioles also replaced three coaches after the 2019 season. First base/outfield coach Arnie Beyeler, bullpen coach John Wasdin and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark left and were replaced by Anthony Sanders, Darren Holmes and José Hernandez, who had been hired as a major league coach for the 2019 season.
Former Braves and Marlins manager Fredi González joined the staff as a major league coach.
From Hyde’s original staff, only Hernandez, major league field coordinator/catching coordinator Tim Cossins and hitting coach Don Long remain.
If the Orioles choose to stay in house, Holmes, who oversaw a bullpen that reduced its ERA from 5.79 to 3.90, and director of pitching Chris Holt could be candidates.
González, who managed the Marlins from 2007-2010 and managed the Braves from 2011-2016, returned to Miami as the team’s third base coach from 2017-2019.
Note: The Orioles outrighted right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips to Triple-A Norfolk. Phillips, who was placed on the 10-day injured list last Friday because of right elbow inflammation, was 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA in 11 games.
The moves leave the Orioles with 36 players on their 40-man roster.
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Surprised at the immediate action taken so soon as the season just ended.I do agree with the Flores dismissal, as there was too much confusion and indecision around the third base bag this year that cost the team runs and games.That should not be the case when you're in the Bigs.As far as Brocail you would have to be involved in the everyday inner actions with the team to know what was going on there as nothing seemed to stand out there from my perspective.Just my opinion.
Moving out some older coaches to make way for younger guys? All part of Milb contraction? Just wondering.
Agree with Tony. A little surprised by timing, but thought Brocail was solid.
Can Phillips be claimed by other teams now? What excatly does Ferdi Gonzales do. He has much more experience then Hyde does he co manage
Bruce, he is still Orioles property for now. Gonzalez is the bench coach, though not given the title.
Totally saw Flores coming, not surprised, cost cutting for Brocail, WTH, thought he did an ok job, saving $ but still paying WAY more for CD & Cobb, doesn’t seem fair, but life is not fair...go O’s...
Cutting staff to reduce the budget? Certainly this doesn't mean we won't have a pitching coach does it?
Who's next Grounds crew members? Ball girls? At face value of this article, this team is getting more Mickey Mouse every day.
Crowned jewel of MLB ballparks and all, don't tell me that Nashville is out of the question Rich. Not when they're counting pennies they way they seem to be.
(yes, I'm overreacting as usual boys, but cutting staff? Really?)
Boog gotta agree with you on this one. Covid or no Covid this one really has a foul odor to it. Brocail--- when there's no justification action for it? Was there a clubhouse snit? So much for the warm and fuzzy post season feel we had. Yes now it's back to keeping our watchful eye on the MD Stadium Authority issue something we were being told NOT to worry about
Agree, cutting those two positions in the grand scheme of things is nothing, especially with CD...go O’s...
CD for new pitching coach since he pitches better then he hits. Seriously I never heard of cost cutting a pitching coach.
Bruce, you never heard of someone being let go and replaced by someone else making less money?
I have no idea what Brocail was being paid but I never thought coaches get big money and the money saved from one with experience to one with less is peanuts compared to the players salaries.
Brocail’s firing was surprising to me at first but the starting pitching was poor (albeit you can only work with what you have) with the exception of the rookies, Akin and Kremer and later Means. However the bullpen was much improved and more responsible for the improved staff ERA.
So the move makes sense IF Holmes or Holt are given the pitching coach position.
Flores had a few blunders this year at 3B Coach. Cost us some runs and possibly "W's" in the process. INEXCUSABLE at the big league level. No surprise to me.
Rich, I read that salary range for MLB pitching coaches is typically $200,000 - $360,000 ... So if Brocail's firing really was based on cost cutting, rather than his performance, that bodes poorly for the financial stability and future of the franchise.
The thing to keep in mind about not renewing Brocail’s contract is the elimination of one minor league affiliate for next year. With one less team, there is an excess pitching coach. So rather than let go one of the minor league pitching coaches, who are most likely younger and cheaper, Brocail became the odd man out. Don’t think it had anything to do with the financial stability of the franchise. With many young pitchers coming through the pipeline in the next few years, probably preferred a younger coach.
Getting rid of someone based on age is discrimination, smell a law suit...go O’s...
I can't wait to hear your cries of pain, anger, and exasperation when arbitration-eligible players are shown the door to save money. Could be that things get so bad that our teenage Dominican players will be promoted to the 40 man roster to save more money. Re BRR's cynical remark about cutting the grounds crew, I say why not? If it starts to rain, have the PR announcer (if there is still one) call for volunteers from the crowd to unroll the tarp. In the meantime, I suggest that Elias take a voluntary pay cut. Equity and performance would justify it.
Lol, totally agree, That’ll never happen...go O’s...
Hey WV ... Who you calling "cynical"?
BRR: Anyone who wishes to retain their connection with reality in a year like 2020.
:)