Rockies director of pitching operations Mark Wiley is retiring, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding reports. Wiley has worked in his current position since 2012, though he previously worked for Colorado’s organization as a player personnel director (in 2000) and as a front office assistant (2006-07). Wiley might be best known for his seven stints as a big league pitching coach, serving in the role on two separate occasions with each of the Orioles, Indians, and Marlins, and coaching once with the Royals.
All in all, the 73-year-old Wiley has been in baseball for 52 years in many different roles. Apart from his pitching coach gigs and his three jobs with the Rockies, Wiley has also worked as a scout, a minor league manager and coach, special assistant to former Marlins GM Michael Hill, and he had an 11-year playing career that included 21 Major League games. We at MLBTR wish Wiley all the best in retirement, and congratulate him on a fine career.
More on other organizational items….
- While many experienced former managers have been connected to the Padres’ search for a new skipper, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the team has “at least inquired about the interest of at least one former player working as a college coach, multiple former players currently on major league staffs and at least one longtime player working in television.” There was some sense that the Padres might hire a seasoned manager after GM A.J. Preller’s first two hires (Jayce Tingler and Andy Green) were running a big league club for the first time, yet team chairman Peter Seidler has said that experience is again not a prerequisite for the job this time around.
- The Rays are installing Chris Prieto as the team’s new first base coach, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. Ozzie Timmons will move over to become the full-time assistant hitting coach, after splitting time between assistant hitting duties and first base duties. Prieto is a veteran of six seasons on the Mariners’ coaching staff from 2014-19, working as Seattle’s first base coach in 2018 and the third base coach in 2019. For the last two years, Prieto has been working with the Rays as an outfield/baserunning coordinator in Tampa’s farm system.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery
“One longtime player working in television”…A-Rod?
I would love to see ARod get a shot at managing. As long as it’s not for the Yankees.
After the way ARod bashed the Yankee front office during the WC Game, I don’t think he’ll be getting an offer from them anytime soon.
Any way possible to get that preening clown away from a network TV microphone.
ctyank – Actually, ESPN announced the changes for next year’s Sunday Night Baseball crew and ARod was invited to come back but it’s not likely he will.
As a Padres fan, I’m thinking it’s Mark Sweeney…
Mark Sweeney for sure. Smart guy, great personality, could be a fit
Maybe Mark DeRosa.
At least it would get DRo off MLB Network.
AMEN! I think he worked in a couple of Front Officers before people discovered what an absolute moron the guy is (besides, of course, that he’s showered with every MLB player, past and present). It’s actually painful to watch him try to make points with a Dan O’Dowd or somebody like that, someone who actually might know what he’s talking about. EASILY the most repulsive MLB Network “personality”.
Part of me hopes it’s him just so he wouldn’t be on national telecasts anymore.
Jim Kaat….with Jack McKeon as a bench coach.
Buck Showalter
Congrats on a great career in baseball Wiley
Guessing it’s Harold Reynolds
It’s gotta be Rick Manning, right?
I was MVP last year when the Mets won the REAL World Series
Raul Ibanez maybe?
At least we know it won’t be Curt Schilling.
Preller is an idiot.
Ron Washington just seems like a great fit.
Im intrigued by Schildt but seems like hes easy to butt heads with.
If youre the padres you dont want a yes man to preller but you dont want a guy who isnt on the same page. You need good relationships between front office and coaching staff. Synergy or whatever you call it.
They do need to bring in someone from rays or indians to help fix the pitching staff woes theyve had since Balsley left. Someone heavily involved in the process looking for a move up in responsibilities.
San Diego will hire another rookie manager so Preller will have someone to blame…again.
IMO a big mistake if SD doesn’t hire an experienced manager. Doesn’t have to be a big name. Schildt/Washington type would be beneficial.
There’s a “good” job shortage (high paid/low skill) all up and down in MLB and in like 90% of cases, its a senior citizen who is already wealthy doing them. Give it up and retire – WE NEED THESE JOBS, STOP HOARDING AND SITTING ON THEM!! I’m sick to death of wealthy 70 year olds still working jobs that a 45 year old could do better!
lol
A’sfan, that was funny.
If Preller is dickin around with a managerial candidate list that covers every possible demographic so as not to offend anybody, kick him to the curb right now. Just get on with it already. Either name another weak first-time manager with ties to Texas and a history of watching post-season games on TV or go get Bochy and start winning. This build back better crud is a running joke I can’t take anymore.
May Wiley’s retirement be peaceful and free of that menacing Mega Man.
Wow! Seidler actually does have more money than brains.
I like LEGO’s and Muppets are the best NBA team!!!
Fire Preller.
Hire Jeff Luhnow as Pres of Baseball Ops.
Hire Bruce Bochy as Manager of Padres like he was years ago.
Bochy won with the “penny pinching Padres”.
Just think what he could do with that team that is actually spending
some money on players?!
No trash can jokes lol!
1. Bochy retired
2. They aren’t going to “just fire” a guy who has 5 more years on his contract and his original contract before he was extended ran through 2022 which means his most recent extension hasn’t even STARTED yet.