Rangers hitting coach Anthony Iapoce has been hired by the Chicago Cubs.
As the Rangers continue their managerial search, the coaching staff is being poached.
Iapoce came to Texas from the Cubs and now goes back to Chicago after they let Chili Davis go. Iapoce has mixed reviews from anyone who follows the Rangers. But it is hard to argue with the turn around to Roughned Odor. After a horrible 2017 season and rough start to 2018, Odor seemed to have found his stroke and patience in the second half. Whether it was Iapoce or assistant hitting coach Justin Mashore, both are now gone. Mashore was let go after the season ended.
So what does this mean?
Well there are a few things that could be at work. With the managers job up the air, it’s only fair to allow coaches to explore other jobs. If the Rangers were high on Iapoce, I imagine they wouldn’t have let him out the door. Unless!……. They have their targeted manager almost locked down, and he has alluded that he has his own hires in mind.
I have no inside sources, but the Rangers have interviewed Joe Espada. He is the bench coach for the Astros. He has long been considered an up and coming future manager. But he also didn’t hit my radar in the story I dropped yesterday. Like Jayce Tingler, Espada would be a great hire. Could Espada be negotiating his deal now?
HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW? I’m sitting in a recliner in my living room.
But maybe things are starting to move.
Nerd out!!
