All six of the Orioles' minor league affiliates will have new managers in 2005, with each replacement coming from within the organization.
Dave Trembley has moved up from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Ottawa, where he takes over for Tim Leiper, who was let go after one season. Don Werner, the former field coach at Single-A Delmarva, will manage the Baysox.
Bien Figueroa was named manager at Single-A Frederick after holding the same job last season with Delmarva, where Baltimore native Gary Kendall takes over. Andy Etchebarren will manage short-season Single-A Aberdeen after serving as roving catching instructor the past two years - duties he will continue to perform until the New York-Penn League season begins in June. And Jesus Alfaro will manage Rookie-level Bluefield.
Bowie was the only affiliate to post a winning record last season. In 2003, Trembley led the Baysox to a 13 1/2 -game improvement from the previous year and was given the organization's Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award. He has been a minor league manager for 18 seasons.
Figueroa led Delmarva to a 69-69 record this year. Under his guidance in 2002, Bluefield went 45-23 and reached the Appalachian League finals.
In other changes, Orlando Gomez joins the organization as field coach for the Shorebirds after spending the past two years as the Seattle Mariners' bullpen coach. Dave Schmidt, who had been the roving pitching instructor, was named pitching coach at Aberdeen. Former catcher Cesar Devarez, who was with the Orioles in 1995 and '96, will serve as field coach.
Don Buford, the former Orioles farm director who managed at Aberdeen last season, turned down an offer to stay in the organization and could end up on Frank Robinson's staff with the Washington Nationals.
O's work behind scenes
It doesn't appear the Orioles intend to jump into the bidding for free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez or outfielder J.D. Drew, and pitcher Derek Lowe seems to have moved further off the club's radar as it focuses on Carl Pavano and Brad Radke.
While other teams are grabbing headlines with signings, trades and publicized offers, the Orioles appear content to work behind the scenes. One agent predicted they'll be "followers instead of leaders" in the free-agent hunt, but they've engaged in substantive talks with representatives for Pavano and first baseman Carlos Delgado.
"There's been a lot of work done, a lot of contact with free agents and talks with agents," said Ed Kenney, director of baseball administration.
The market for first baseman Richie Sexson apparently has widened with news that he would be willing to play left field.
Minor league coaches
AAA Ottawa Lynx
Manager: Dave Trembley
Pitching coach: Steve McCatty
Field coach: Dave Cash
Trainer: P.J. Mainville
Strength/conditioning coach: Joe Hogarty
AA Bowie Baysox
Manager: Don Werner
Pitching coach: Larry McCall
Field coach: Butch Davis
Trainer: Mark Shires
Strength/conditioning coach: John Selzler
A Frederick Keys
Manager: Bien Figueroa
Pitching coach: Scott McGregor
Field coach: Moe Hill
Trainer: Trek Shuler
Strength/conditioning coach: T.D. Swinford
A Delmarva Shorebirds
Manager: Gary Kendall
Pitching coach: TBA
Field coach: Orlando Gomez
Trainer: Joe Benge
Strength/conditioning coach: TBA
A Aberdeen IronBirds
Manager: Andy Etchebarren
Pitching coach: Dave Schmidt
Field coach: Cesar Devarez
Trainer: Spencer Elliott
Field coach: Cedric Landrum
Strength/conditioning coach: TBA
Trainer: Patrick Wesley
Rookie Bluefield Orioles
Manager: Jesus Alfaro
Pitching coach: Larry Jaster
Field coach: Len Johnston
Field coach: Cedric Landrum
Trainer: Patrick Wesley
