More changes are coming to the Washington Nationals coaching staff. Hitting coach Kevin Long will not be returning next season, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). Long’s contract has expired after a three-year term. Chip Hale will also be moving on, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Hale was the bench coach when the Nats won the World Series in 2019 before moving to third base this season an in effort by manager Davey Martinez to keep things fresh.
This now makes three key members of the Nationals’ coaching staff who will not be returning. Pitching coach Paul Menhart was also told that his contract would not be renewed. According to Menhart, manager Davey Martinez has the opportunity to hand-pick his coaching staff for the first time since taking over as Nationals manager. It’s unclear if that’s the reason that Martinez is moving on from Long and Hale, but it certainly seems that way.
Hale was initially brought in by GM Mike Rizzo to provide a veteran hand on the bench while Martinez got his feet wet in his first role as manager. After three seasons and a World Series ring, it appears Martinez and the Nationals believe he’s ready to ride without supervision, so to speak. Hale previously managed the Diamondbacks from 2015 to 2016 and served as bench coach to Bob Melvin of the Athletics for three seasons from 2012 to 2014.
Long got his first major-league gig as a hitting coach for the Yankees back in 2007. He stayed in that role for eight seasons before embarking on a three-year term with the Mets. The conclusion of that contract brought him to Washington.
The Nationals offense produced just 3.2 fWAR as a team in 2020, a mark that ranks 27th in the majors. That’s a fairly disappointing outcome, especially considering Juan Soto and Trea Turner combined to produce 5.1 fWAR. But they also had a whopping 10 players rack up negative measures of fWAR, including free agent acquisition Eric Thames (-0.7 fWAR), World Series hero Howie Kendrick (-0.3 fWAR), and a trio of young bats they hope soon to develop into cornerstones: Victor Robles (-0.5 fWAR), Luis Garcia (-0.3 fWAR), and Carter Kieboom (-0.3 fWAR).
Even so, the club still finished 10th in the majors with 293 runs scored. Since the two-time World-Series-winning hitting coach took over in Washington, Nationals teams have scored the 7th-most runs in the majors while slashing .260/.338/.436, good for a 102 wRC+.
That is surprising to me that Kevin Long is not returning. Almost a year ago, he helped to win their first ever championship. Which team needs a new hitting coach? Could the Angels look for a new hitting coach and pitching coach?
Cubs!
I don’t think another new hitting coach is going to help the Cubs. They need to balance the line up and add some guys who hit for average and make more contact.
I doubt the Cubs have the money for LeMahieu but I would seriously be looking at reuniting with Tommy LaStella or adding Michael Brantley. I would also strongly consider Tommy Pham if he becomes available, Cubs outfielders swung a wet noodle against south paws all year.
Rangers should be knocking on the front door
Francy, Niether. Angels are very happy with Callaway and our hitting coaches.
Thank you for your concerm
Halo, do you actually think you play for the team?
No Jim Halo does not think he plays for the team. But he is a fan of “his” team so he said “our team” and trolls like you costantly critisize fans for that which is just pathetic on your part not Halos
Reds
Yes…Reds!
Cardinals need to dump Albert and take a look at Long
Reds need new one
Howie seemed to hit well for a bench bat this year, though evidently WAR wasnt a fan.
Always hoping the Tigers move on from McClendon. Kevin Long would be a nice replacement.
Vavra was Tigers hitting coach this year, not McClendon
Let’s go ahead and fire our staff after winning the WS and then playing a 38% season. The Nats make you scratch your head.
They all do.
You said it, brother.
They tried to replace an MVP caliber player with average veterans. If the Nats want to get back to being a good team Rizzo has to actually address the offense.
Nats are the classic case of winning The WS and thought they were good enough to do it again, All because they got hot for 4 months and rode the wave. Much like my Angels in 2002.
Same crap with the 05 Astros. Put them back years after they finally realized they had only a few good players.
Halo — Dont know about winning the WS, but most prognosticators were picking them to go deep into the playoffs, as they should have. Rode the wave? That suggests luck. Finishing with the best record in MLB over the final 130 games of the season is a helluva sample size.
I’m guessing that the reason for this was only monetary. After rising their stock level, now Risso is going for a more controlable and cheaper staff
Surprised Jim Hickey hasn’t been mentioned for the pitching coach vacancy.
Hey y’all, not trying to cause any problems, but the wrong Luis Garcia is linked. It should be the Nats second baseman I assume, and the Astros pitcher is linked. Thanks!
Hey y’all, not trying to cause any problems, but the wrong Luis Garcia is linked. It should be the Nats second baseman I assume, and the Astros pitcher is linked. Thanks!
Nats in ‘19 were a fluke.
But that’s baseball.
We live for flukes.
That’s why the DH sucks so bad.
It removes the “incredibly unlikely “ play that makes baseball unique.
Flukes are cool.
DH sucks
I would agree if minor league systems let pitchers hit and actually developed them. I hate a MLB game coming down to a guy who is batting for the first time since high school. I get the “strategy” of having to maneuver around that pitcher, but it’s unnecessary to me- give the pitchers a chance and develop them or make the DH universal.
Jim A., I agree with your comment completely. There is something about a pitcher having to step into the box after knocking a guy down or ‘helping his own cause’ and beating the other team’s strategy.
At this point though, I’ve heard enough arguments from both sides to ask: “Why can’t we have both?”
Rules have changed so much to mirror softball, why not go all the way? Bat TEN.
Institute the DH in all games AND require the pitcher to bat. This adds offense AND keeps late game strategy intact.
you’re all wrong. even the ones that didn’t say anything.
Mets fan here. Kevin Long didn’t seem to be a benefit to any Mets’ player other than Granderson, who had a hand in getting him there.
Only four Mets posted an ops of .820 or better in his three years here. On base numbers were poor and strikeouts were all the rage.
Jim, didnt Daniel Murphy single out Long for transforming his swing? Washington signed Long a year after signing Murphy, who (if memory serves) lobbied for Long.