John Farrell and the Red Sox are continuing to search for the team’s next pitching coach, and they are reportedly casting the net a bit wider.
Adding to previous reports that the team was speaking with Orioles pitching coordinator Rick Peterson, the Sox now appear to be expanding their search to include three more names: Randy St. Claire, Steve Foster and Juan Nieves.
St. Claire, who is currently the Miami Marlins pitching coach, could be looking for something new in the wake of manager Ozzie Guillen‘s firing. His previous experience includes a stint as pitching coach for the Expos and then Nationals, and a couple of years with the Brewers’ minor league system. As a player, he had a 12-6 record during a nine-year career with a 4.14 ERA in 162 relief outings.
Foster had been the Royals’ bullpen coach from 2010 to 2012 but was recently named a special assistant to the team. He also has a Marlins connection, having served as the team’s bullpen coach for three seasons beginning in 2007. A 12th-round draft pick in the 1988 draft, he saw his playing career derailed by arm troubles and turned to scouting and coaching.
Juan Nieves has been with the White Sox organization since 2002, either as a minor league pitching coach or big-league bullpen coach. The former starter threw a no-hitter as a member of the Brewers in 1987, and he has also spent time coaching with the Yankees.
And while the team has expressed interest in Peterson, the Red Sox may need to wait on him. As CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam writes, Peterson has been stranded in New Jersey due to damage from Hurricane Sandy and will need to reschedule his interview with the team.
