Rockies manager Bud Black has a pair of holes to fill on his coaching staff, after the club announced the departures of first-base coach Tony Diaz and hitting coach Duane Espy on Wednesday.
After nearly two decades in the Rockies' organization, including the last two at the Major League level, Diaz moved to the Twins to serve as third-base coach for rookie manager Rocco Baldelli. Espy, who spent 15 total years in the organization, wrapped up his second tenure as Colorado's hitting coach (he previously served in that role from 2003-06). He oversaw an uncharacteristically tough season for the Rockies' offense -- which hit .256 as a unit, the lowest mark in franchise history (including just a .225 average on the road).
"We thank both Duane and Tony for their many years as coaches and leaders within our organization," Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said in a statement shared via the club's Twitter account on Friday. "We wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors."