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!