Wallach could move from third to dugout in '14
After being passed over for managerial openings, LA bench coach a possibility
LOS ANGELES -- Now that Seattle and Detroit have passed on Tim Wallach for their managerial openings, he's a candidate to become the Dodgers' bench coach, according to a baseball source.
Wallach has been the Dodgers' third-base coach for the three years that Don Mattingly has been manager. After this season ended, bench coach Trey Hillman was dismissed, and the Dodgers have been waiting for the managerial merry-go-round to stop before finalizing the coaching staff. Mattingly has already confirmed that his 2014 option vested when the club advanced to the National League Championship Series.
When Mattingly was named manager at the end of the 2010 season, Wallach didn't hide his interest in managing in the Major Leagues, but accepted the big league coaching role. He managed the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque from 2009-10 and interviewed recently with the Mariners and Tigers, who hired Lloyd McClendon and Brad Ausmus, respectively.
If Wallach is moved into the dugout, the Dodgers would need a third-base coach, and that search would probably include Lorenzo Bundy, who replaced Wallach as manager of Albuquerque and has coached in the Major Leagues with Arizona.
Wallach, 56, played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, was a five-time All-Star and won the Gold Glove Award three times at third base. He spent most of his career in Montreal, but also played for the Dodgers and Angels.