Red Sox to replace 1B coach Beyeler

CLEVELAND -- While the Red Sox retained most of their coaching staff for next season, the lone exception is first-base coach Arnie Beyeler, whose 12-year association with the organization will come to an end.

Beyeler was also the club's outfield instructor and had served in his dual role for the past three seasons.

"I just really wanted to change a little bit of the mixture on it," said president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. "I feel in Arnie's case, he's done a great job in so many ways. He took the news as well as you possibly can. He's a good person. He's worked hard. He's been a Red Sox person. We just wanted to make a change on the staff in a direction, and that was the one we decided to go on."

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Dombrowski said that Hanley Ramirez's rough adjustment to the outfield -- an experiment the club pulled the plug on after one season -- had nothing to do with the decision to let Beyeler go.

Beyeler managed four different Minor League affiliates for the Red Sox between 2000-12, culminating in his two seasons with Triple-A Pawtucket.

"They called me in last night after the game and told me then," said Beyeler. "Yeah, I was disappointed without a doubt, but that said, I have nothing but good things to say about these guys -- ownership and these guys over here. It's been a good ride, a lot of fun, good people over here. I thank them for everything they've done. It was a great opportunity."

In Beyeler's first year on the Major League staff in 2013, the Red Sox won the World Series.

"Maybe peaked too early as far as that goes with the World Series and everything in my first year," Beyeler said. "But it was a lot of fun. I got to be around some good guys, good people, learn a lot."

Interim manager Torey Lovullo will move back to his role as bench coach at the start of next season, provided manager John Farrell makes a full return to health. Pitching coach Carl Willis, who was hired as the pitching coach on May 9, will get to serve in that role for a full season next year. The offense, which finished the season strong, will again be led by hitting coach Chili Davis. Assistant hitting coach Victor Rodriguez will continue in his role. Third base coach/infield instructor Brian Butterfield will return for a fourth season. Dana Levangie, who moved up to bench coach during Farrell's leave of absence, will return to his role as bullpen coach/catching instructor.