Dusty Baker didn’t formally announce his coaching staff Tuesday, but general manager Jim Hendry said three spots are certain: Gary Matthews will be the hitting coach, Dick Pole the bench coach and Larry Rothschild the pitching coach.
Sources in New York say veteran left-hander Al Leiter is pushing for Rothschild to fill the Mets’ vacancy at pitching coach. Leiter flourished under Rothschild in Florida in 1996-97.
Hendry insisted late Tuesday that Rothschild, who has two years left on a three-year contract, would return to the Cubs.
Rothschild said he didn’t “anticipate any changes.”
Baker has yet to contact Rothschild and doesn’t know him personally.
But Baker said last week former Giants closer Robb Nen, who also pitched for Rothschild in Florida, “gave him the highest recommendation.”
Pole, who served as Baker’s pitching coach in San Francisco in 1993-97, also told Baker that Rothschild is highly respected.
Other favorites for the Cubs’ coaching staff are Giants holdovers Gene Clines, Sonny Jackson and Juan Lopez.
Rick Kranitz, the Cubs’ former bullpen coach, will be offered a position in the organization.
