Cubs Announce Minor Leauge Coaching Staff

As announced at the Winter Meetings, Ryne Sandberg will move up to coach AAA Iowa. Bill Dancy, another former big pro, will take over Sandberg's previous position as the manager of the AA Tennessee Smokies. Dancy spent most of his playing career in the Phillies organization as a middle infielder. In 2005 and 2006, he was the Philliles' third base coach. Last year he coached in the Royals system.

Dennis Lewallyn will be on Dancy's staff as the Smokies pitching coach. Tom Beyers is their hitting coach.

Jody Davis, a former Cub catcher will return to managing as he takes over at Class A Boise. Davis managed the Class A Daytona Cubs in 2008, before becoming the organizational catching instructor in 2009. Davis will be joined on Boise's staff by Jeff Fassero, who pitched for the Cubs in 2001-2002. Over his major league career, Fassero played for the Expos, Mariners, Rangers, Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Rockies, D'backs, and Giants. He finished with a record of 121-124 over 16 seasons with an ERA of 4.11.

Fassero and Davis will be joined on the Hawks' coaching staff by Ricardo Medina, who previously coached in the Dominican Summer League. Medina will serve as the Boise hitting coach.

Mark Riggins, Dave Keller, Franklin Font and Bobby Dernier all return as organizational coordinators. Carmelo Martinez will return as Latin American field coordinator, and Marty Pevey, who was the Blue Jays first base coach from 2005-2008, will take over for Davis as catching coordinator.

Buddy Bailey will return for his second year managing Class A Daytona. Tom Pratt (pitching) and Richie Zisk (hitting) will return as coaches for the D-Cubs in 2010.

Casey Kopitzke will move up to Class A Peoria next season. He managed for the Boise Hawks in 2009. David Rosario and Barbaro Garbey will join Casey's staff as the pitching and hitting coaches, respectively.

Rookie League manager Juan Cabreja will return for his second straight year in Mesa. Rick Trone has been a fixture as the Mesa Cubs pitching coach since 2001. He will return for his 10th season, while Desi Wilson joins the Mesa staff as the hitting coach. Wilson was with Peoria in 2009.

Manuel Callado, Leo Hernandez, Alberto Garcia, Anderson Tavares, and Leo Perez will coach for the Cubs' Dominican Summer League clubs.

Link from Cubs.com.

Other Cubs Notes, News, & Links:

• Carrie Muskat gives us an update on Cubs Spring Training.
• The Cubs sent a scout to see Kelvim Escobar throw. Esobar was also watched by the Rays, Brewers, Pirates, Tigers, Mariners, Yankees, Twins, and A's.
• Ryan Dempster is teaming up with D'Agostino's restaurant to throw a pizza party for a great cause. The money raised will go to Di George syndrome.
• Paul Kinzer told Ken Rosenthal that Matt Capps would accept a job as a set-up man for a contending team. This gives the Cubs some hope of landing him to bolster the bullpen. He plans to set 5 or 6 finalists by the weekend, and then announce his decision soon after.
• Bleed Cubbie Blue has been putting together a great historic photo series. Click the links to see them part-by-part: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
• TCR Reviewed the 2000 Cubs season
• Interesting bit from AZ.Central.com: "We don't think it's in the best interest of the citizens of Mesa to make this kind of investment when we have no commitment at all as to whether the Cubs are even going to negotiate to be here," Mayor Scott Smith said.

With just over a week left until Christmas, Jim Hendry his better start shopping!

Sandberg introduced to Smokies, New Poll

Ryan Sandberg spoke after being introduced to the Tennesse Smokies. Ryno will manage at AA with the Smokies in 2009. Check out these videos:
Sandberg Introduced
1 on 1 with Ryno
Check out Sandberg in his Peoria Chiefs uni arguing with the umpire
See the Cheifs brawl that happened when Sandberg was at the Hall of Fame inductions.

Thanks to everyone that voted on our last poll. Here are the results:
Where should Milton Bradley bat in the Cubs lineup?
3rd- 43 votes
4th- 23 votes
5th- 7 votes
2nd- 4 votes

Everyone is encouraged to vote on our new poll:
Which Cubs broadcast team do you like the best?
A. Len and Bob
B. Pat and Ron

Feel free to comment with your thoughts as always.
Also, join us for our weekly chat on Wednesday at 7 PM CT.

More Posts to come...

Jim Hendry on Sports Central

Cubs GM Jim Hendry visited with David Kaplan to talk about the Cubs remaining offseason plans on Sports Central on WGN Radio last night. Here's my recap:

• Jim says that the economy is taking an effect on the baseball world. He says the Cubs are fortunate the their payroll didn't go down. He says some clubs are going to take more cutbacks than others.
• Kap suggested the Cubs getting a right handed bat that hits left handers. He says the Cubs still would prefer a left handed or switch hitter.
• An email asked if the Cubs ever considered moving Soriano back to second base. Jim says that Sori will stay in left field.
• Another question asked if Hendry still sees getting another starter. Jim says that you might try to make something work with an elite guy but the Cubs aren't searching for another starter but says that the new owner might have an impact on things like this.
• Jim says the if Greg Maddox wants to work with the Cubs he can work in Chicago any time he wants, he thinks Greg will get away from the game for some time and then might get back into baseball in some way.
• Kap asked about Ryan Sandberg. Jim said that the Cubs don't get hung up on moving up the latter with coaches in the minor leagues like players do. He says Rhino's done a terrific job in Peoria for 2 years and in the Arizona Fall League. He thinks that Sandberg can be a big league coach some day.
• Kap asked for thought about Kerry Wood. Jim think Kerry ended up in a great place and says that he will root for Woody except when he plays the Cubs for the rest of his career.
• Hendry said that Gathright was a real good sign that gains the Cubs speed and depth. Jim wants to add one more left handed hitting outfielder to the mix out there.
• Jim says that he likes Adam Dunn and says that the situation is his defense. He wouldn't rule a terrific hitter off the Cubs list though.
• Kap asked about DeRosa. Hendry said that he is just trying to make the Cubs better and sometimes you might have to consider trading someone you really like.

Sandberg Promoted to AA, other Minor League coaching changes, and Cubs Rumors

The Cubs announced their minor league coaching changes for next season today. Hall of Famer Ryan Sandberg, who has been the manager of the Peoria Chiefs of low A ball the past 2 seasons will be managing for the AA Tennessee Smokies is 2009. Quotes from Sanberg

• "If you'd asked me in the middle of my career, I would've said, 'No chance.'"
• "I guess you never know in this game. Once I was out of the game, I felt baseball was all I knew. Now, being back in it in this capacity, it's the next best thing to playing it."
• "First things first is to learn along the way."
• "That's how I've taken this thing. I want to be good at it. Like the players, I hope to one day be at the Major League level. That's all of our goals. I'm not any different than the players. I look at this as one more opportunity to learn."
• " It (coaching in the Arizona Fall League) was totally different, and different in a good way. It was a very good experience because these players were anywhere from going into AA to going into AAA, and I think some of these guys could actually get into the Major League next year."
• "All they needed was some little thing or help with the mental side of the game. If was a very good 7 weeks. I think that will help me going into this year and AA.

Dennis Lewallyn joins Sandberg's staff as pitching coach and Dennis Lewallyn is his hitting coach. Bobby Dickerson will be the new manager for AAA Iowa replacing Pat Listach who is now the Washington Nationals' 3rd base coach. Dickerson managed at Tennessee for 4 seasons and was the infield coordinator for Iowa the past 3 seasons. Mike Mason will return as the Iowa Cubs' pitching coach. Von Joshua returns for his 4th year as the hitting coach. Former Cub Jody Davis will be the minor league catching coordinator. Buddy Bailey will take over for Davis as the manager of the Daytona Cubs. The Daytona pitching coach is Tom Pratt and Richie Zisk will be in his 4th season as the Cubs hitting coach. Marty Pevey will replace Sandberg as the manager of the Peoria Chiefs. Rich Bobard will return as the Chiefs hitting coach and Barbaro Garbey will be the pitching coach. Casey Kopitzke will manage the Class A Short Season Boise Hawks next year. He spent 8 years in the Cubs organization as a player. David Rosario will be the pitching coach and Desi Wilson will be the hitting coach. Juan Cabreja begins his first season as manager of the Mesa Cubs.

And now here's the latest Cubs Rumors:

• Derek Lowe will likely go to the highest bidder. The Cubs are part of the long list of teams who are interested in Lowe.
• Felis Pie's days as a Cub are more that numbered according to the Sun Times.
• Jim Hendry said he's been approached from clubs about trades since returning form the winter meetings late last week. The Cubs have had talks about at least the framework of a potential deal. (for Milton Bradley)
• According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins still have hope that they can acquire Mark DeRosa.
• Gordan Wittnmyer also expects Felix Pie to be traded because for the Gathright signing.
• The Pirates, Orioles, and Marlins could be good fits for Felix Pie.

I'll keep you posted.