Following another season, the 16th in a row, without playoffs, the Mariners Tuesday let go two members of the coaching staff, bench coach Tim Bogar and first base coach Casey Candaele, whose contracts were not renewed. The remaining coaches who worked under manager Scott Servais in 2017 will return in 2018, some in new positions.
The job changes: Manny Acta, third base coach, will replace Bogar as bench coach. Scott Brosius, an assistant hitting coach last season, becomes the third base coach. Chris Prieto will move from special projects coach to first base coach.
Edgar Martinez will return for his fourth season as the hitting coach and Mel Stottlemyre Jr. will return for his third as the pitching coach. The Mariners will add another position but the role remains undetermined, according to Servais.
The Mariners averaged 4.63 runs per game under Martinez in 2017, 15th in MLB, which was led by Houston at 5.53. Seattle averaged 4.74 a year ago. Seattle finished sixth in the AL in on-base percentage at .325.
Stottlemyre had to handle a club-record 40 pitchers in 2017, including an MLB-high 17 starters. The staff finished 15th in team ERA at 4.46, up from 4.00 in 2016. Cleveland led MLB with a 3.30 ERA.
