The Tigers have added three new coaches to A.J. Hinch’s staff, Cody Stavenhagen and Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic report (Twitter link). George Lombard will be the new bench coach, Chip Hale becomes third base coach, and Scott Coolbaugh becomes hitting coach.
This is the second link between Lombard and the Tigers this offseason, as the club interviewed the 45-year-old for the managerial position before deciding on Hinch. Lombard has worked as the Dodgers’ first base coach for the last five seasons, meaning he and Hinch were on opposite sides of the controversial 2017 World Series. Lombard previously worked in the Red Sox farm system as a manager and coach, as well as a roving outfield coordinator for both the Red Sox and Braves organizations.
Hale has also faced off against Hinch in a World Series, as Hale was the Nationals’ bench coach in 2019 when Washington defeated Houston. However, Hale previously worked as a coach under Hinch when Hinch was hired as the Diamondbacks’ manager in 2009. Best known for his own stint managing Arizona in 2015-16, Hale has a long track record as a big league coach with the D’Backs, Mets, Athletics, and Nationals. Hale spent three seasons as a bench coach and third base coach in D.C. before parting ways with the team in October.
Coolbaugh worked as the assistant hitting coach for the White Sox in 2020, and will now take full hitting coach duties for the third time with a big league team. Coolbaugh previously worked in the same role with the Rangers in 2011-12 and the Orioles from 2015-18.
The Tigers have now amassed most of Hinch’s staff, as the team announced yesterday that Chris Fetter and Juan Nieves had been hired as pitching coach and assistant pitching coach, respectively. These new faces join two holdovers from Ron Gardenhire’s staff — first base coach Ramon Santiago and quality control coach Josh Paul.
seems like a good staff
Especially since it appears McClendon is not on it!
That’s the first thing I checked. LLoyd was terrible.
Lloyd was legendary.
legendarily terrible along with Jim Leyland.
They make some key acquisitions and they will surprise some people this year.
As a lifelong Tiger fan (thanks for your sympathy), I’m as stoked as I’ve been since the Tigers acquired a young Max Scherzer a decade ago, a year after picking up Miggy. Hinch has assembled quite an accomplished coaching staff. That all this coaching talent is willing to come to Detroit suggests they see the emerging talent as sufficient to play at the highest level.
Tooting my own horn (luck), I bought a one-third season ticket package for my family two weeks ago today, just before the Hinch hiring. First time I’ve bought in four years.
I don’t think they’ll be ready this year. But I must say the Future looks very bright for you. Just don’t expect to be going to Comerica Park in October this year… With that crowded division it’ll take some time.
Lombard must be desperate to advance.
Tigers must have promised Lombard something. Going from world champ Dodgers to Detroit…
Cool. Now the Tigers need to bring in some talented players and they should start with George Springer so they have a quality CF for the next 4-6 years.
He is exactly who I think they’re going to bring in, among others.
springer won’t happen. tigers learned their lesson and won’t get caught up in terrible contracts. prince. miggy. zimmerman. vmart have all been terrible deals. i don’t see any deals beyond 3 or 4 years.
Those were the Tigers trying to hang on too long. Think more Pudge, Magglio, etc.
Weren’t those all Dombrowski deals though?
Still Illitch deals, tho Mike is no longer with us. Chris may get a hitch in his gittyup and try to compete. I don’t think he will, or should, but it’s in his blood.
@ddj05. I hate this commenting system.
Jordan Z was Big Al’s
I see Springer in RF with Jones in CF and Reyes in LF.
Bring back McCann too.
riley greene will hold a spot. jacoby has reached his ceiling and cannot hit consistently. he’ll be a 4th OF soon enough
New hires: Mark Trashcan, Ross Rubbermaid, Hank Hefty
Did you just fly in from Scranton, and your arms are tired? Should we try the veal? Make sure to tip the waitstaff? Is Jerry Lewis coming to the stage next? That should all follow your old,tired,overplayed,and trite attempt at humor.
You forgot “I’m here all week!”
With your repertoire, you wouldn’t be there all week.
But plus 1. Lol
In the end, it’s all for entertainment. WTG for taking it in stride. I wasn’t trying be be a Richard. Cheers!
I’m cautiously optimistic.
Al Avila is winning the off season so far. First Hinch, then Fetters, now Lombard. Putting together a great coaching staff.
I like it. Baby steps……..
Darn! No Donnie Kelly.
Like to see Cam Gibson have an awesome spring training!
Cheaters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are not cheating, you are not trying. Bill B.
sad to see Lombard go…