Tampa Bay Rays hire Rodney Linares as 3B coach

As the smoke cleared from their last second roster shuffle, the Tampa Bay Rays hired Rodney Linares to be their new third base coach.

Rodney Linares, a mainstay in the Houston Astros organization, 22 years to be exact,  has agreed with terms with the Tampa Bay Rays to become their new third base coach. The hiring of Linares fills the need for an infield instructor, Spanish speaking coach, and third base coach. This will be Rodney’s first Major League assignment.

He has managed across all levels of the Houston Astros organization, spending time as the head coach of their rookie ball, single, double and triple-a affiliates. Since 2007, he has compiled a 761-694 (.523) record.

Linares was recently let go by the Astro Organization after the season ended.

Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, “Baseball America named Linares the Best Manager Prospect in the Pacific Coast League.” That is some high praise for the 41 year old coach.

Kevin Cash’s remarks on the hiring of Linares per Topkin:

“Rodney has impacted so many players during his time with the Astros, including José Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and J.D. Martínez,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said in a statement. “The amount of positive feedback we received throughout this process made it clear that he is a very high quality individual. In addition to his third base coaching duties, he will work with our infielders and bring many years of managing experience to our staff.”

The hiring could prove to be key in the development of a young Rays infield filled with talent. Currently he is managing a winter league team in the Dominican Republic. I would look for him to make a profound impact on Willy Adames, just as he did with Carlos Correwa and Alex Bregman in the past.

The Tampa Bay Rays hiring of Linares fills the hole left by Matt Quatraro, the previous third base coach, who assumed the  role of Charlie Montoyo as the bench coach. The Rays will still be on the lookout for a “field coordinator” following the departure of Rocco Baldelli.

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This is a good hire by the Tampa Bay Rays. Now keep an eye out for the hiring of a field coordinator  as they might look to Jared Sandberg, their Triple-A head coach.