Roenicke takes a seat
Ex-manager joins staff as bench coach
New Red Sox manager
Alex Cora has found his veteran bench coach.
Ron Roenicke, the 61-yearold with 27 years of professional coaching experience, was named to the position yesterday. The third base coach of the Los Angeles Angels the last two seasons, Roenicke spent five seasons as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, leading them to a 342-341 record, including a 96-win season in his first year at the helm in 2011. He was fired after a 7-18 start in 2015.
“We wanted Alex to have a veteran bench coach,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “We had asked him about that, for somebody that he would feel comfortable with. He gave me Ron’s name as somebody he would really like.”
Cora, who is expected to be in town Monday, has yet to announce his pitching coach or hitting coach, but did find his first base and baserunning coach in Tom Goodwin, the former speedster who served in the same role for the Mets the past six seasons.
“We made a lot of outs on our basepaths last year, we wanted to put an emphasis on the baserunning,” Dombrowski said.
Carlos Febles, who had been the manager for the Red Sox’ Double-A affiliate in Portland, will take over as third base coach and infield instructor. Febles was recommended by Dombrowski and after he and Cora had a brief meeting, the manager agreed it was the right choice.
Febles coached Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers in the minors.
“I think he has a chance to be a big league manager in the future,” Dombrowski said.
Options picked up
The Red Sox picked up the club options on their two best pitchers, Chris Sale and Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel’s option for $13 million will mark his last year under team control before he’s eligible for free agency. Kimbrel, 29, has a 2.29 ERA in two years with the Red Sox.
Sale’s option is $12.5 million and he has another for $13.5 million in 2019 before he’s eligible for free agency at age 30.
Roster shuffle
Knuckleballer Steven Wright was one of three players the Red Sox reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Infielder Marco Hernandez and pitcher Tyler Thornburg, who both underwent shoulder surgery this tear, were also reinstated.
Lefty Robbie Ross Jr. and infielder Josh Rutledge were outrighted from the major league roster and have elected free agency.
Outfielder Bryce Brentz and pitcher Williams Jerez were added to the 40-man roster, which sits at 37. . . .
Shortstop Deven Marrero and first baseman Sam Travis are both returning from winter ball due to minor injuries.
“Deven has a tender arm, nothing of major consequence, some tendinitis but we’re bringing him back,” Dombrowski said. “Travis has had some hip problems. Nothing of major consequence.”
Window opens
Yesterday began a fiveday window for teams to negotiate exclusively with their own pending free agents.
For the Red Sox, Addison Reed, Doug Fister, Mitch Moreland, Chris Young, Blaine Boyer, Fernando Abad, Rajai Davis and Eduardo Nunez all are entering free agency.
Nunez may be the most likely player the Sox reinvest in.
Prior to his late-season knee injury, Nunez had set himself up for a premium payday. But given Dustin Pedroia’s knee injury, the Red Sox may be able to lure the 30-year-old Nunez back to Boston with a multi-year deal featuring what is likely to be an annual salary nearing eight figures.
The exclusive window lasts through 5 p.m. on Monday.