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Even though the 2017 season is not officially over, this has already been a roller coaster offseason for coaching staff all over the majors. Multiple managerial positions have become open, from the Detroit Tigers’ firing-but-not-firing of Brad Ausmus, to Dusty Baker’s decision not to return to the Washington Nationals, to Thursday’s surprise announcement that Joe Girardi was not being asked to return to the New York Yankees.
When Ron Gardenhire was brought on to helm the Tigers, many assumed the coaching staff might stay much the same, but considering the struggles of the Tigers pitching staff, it should perhaps come as no surprise that the team decided to part ways with pitching coach Rich Dubee.
On Thursday afternoon, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal hinted that the Tigers are interested in recently ousted Chicago Cubs pitching coach Bosio.
Chris Bosio top candidate to be #Tigers’ pitching coach under new manager Ron Gardenhire, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 26, 2017
While the Cubs have certainly seen a decline in their pitching powers between the 2016 and 2017 season, the full blame for that can’t fall on Bosio, especially if one considers the issues of two players with the initials J.L.: John Lackey and Jon Lester.
According to NBC Sports’ Craig Calcaterra, the decision to fire Bosio was largely on manager Joe Maddon, and was incredibly unpopular with the pitchers, who are “devoted” to him.
Bosio served as the pitching coach in Chicago from 2012-17. He has received much of the credit for the incredible success of Jake Arrieta, a magic the Tigers are might be hoping he can apply to the likes of Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd.