2007 Coaching Staff Round Up: part I

So, what does Freddi Gonzalez do now? Working with Larry Beinfest, they start to piece together a coaching staff.

First up: bench coach. That is going to be Carlos Tosca, a long time mentor and friend to Freddi Gonzalez. Tosca was Gonzalez's first minor league manager, going back to his single A days at Bradenton.

Tosca was going to be the bench coach for the D'Backs in 2007, since Jay Bell left the team, but has opted to sign on with Freddi and the Marlins. Although this deal has not been officially announced, it is being reported by a reputable source the East Valley Tribune.

Tosca does have some big league managing experience. He was the manager for the Blue Jays, taking over for the fired Buck Martinez, from 2002 to 2004 compiling a 191-191 record. In 2003, his only full season, he was able to amass an 86-76 record in the AL East.

At the minor league level, Tosca managed for 17 seasons compiling 932-827 record for a .530 winning percentage. He was a part of Buck Showalter's original Diamondbacks coaching staff, and was his bench coach for 3 seasons.

Tosca is also Cuban, and that will be another key comfort to have around in Miami and in a multi-cultural clubhouse where an ability to speak Spanish can only accentuate the atmosphere.