Rays finalize coaching staff with 3 promotions

ST. PETERSBURG -- After losing former bench coach Matt Quatraro and field coordinator Paul Hoover to the Royals, the Rays finalized their Major League coaching staff for next season by filling three vacancies from within.

After four years as Tampa Bay’s third-base coach, Rodney Linares was formally named the Rays’ bench coach on Monday, as expected. The Rays also promoted respected Triple-A Durham manager Brady Williams to be their new third-base coach and elevated Minor League catching coordinator Tomas Francisco to their big league staff as Major League field coordinator.

Long viewed as a future Major League manager, Quatraro became one with Kansas City. He was joined by Hoover, now the Royals’ bench coach. The Rays were proud, albeit hardly surprised, and prepared as usual with capable replacements.

“I could not be more thrilled to announce the promotions of Rodney, Brady and Tomas,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said in a statement. “Rodney has been and will continue to be an integral and respected member of our coaching staff. He has had a positive impact working with our infielders and has a genuine connection with all our players. I look forward to seeing that continue in his new role.

“Both Brady and Tomas will be valuable additions to our coaching staff. Brady brings a wealth of knowledge from his managerial experience in the Minor Leagues, and Tomas has built many relationships in our organization over his 10 years in player development. Overall, I’m very excited with the way this staff has come together.”

The Rays previously made one change to their staff, promoting Jorge Moncada from Minor League pitching coordinator to replace retiring bullpen coach Stan Boroski. Losing Quatraro, now one of three active MLB managers to come from Cash’s coaching staff, triggered these moves.

Linares’ extensive experience has him more than ready for his new role.

His coaching career began in 1999, when he was a coach and scout for the Astros’ Dominican Republic operations. He worked as a Minor League hitting coach from 2005-06, then managed in Houston’s system from ’07-18, advising a group of future big leaguers that included Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and J.D. Martinez. Linares succeeded Quatraro as the Rays’ third base coach in November 2018.

The 45-year-old gained three years of managerial experience in winter ball and will manage the Dominican Republic team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Linares’ father, Julio, is the Astros’ special advisor for Latin American development and has been part of the organization since 1973.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve as the next bench coach for the Rays,” Linares said. “Our club continues to make strides each year and I can’t wait to continue to pursue our ultimate goal of winning the World Series. I am looking forward to helping the team grow, improve and continue to win games.”

Williams led Durham to back-to-back Triple-A championships despite constant roster turnover. The 43-year-old son of former manager Jimy Williams has spent 23 years in professional baseball and 13 seasons as a Minor League manager. Williams joined the Rays in March 2006 and managed at every level from Low-A to Triple-A from ’09-22.

“This is such an exciting time for me and my family,” Williams said. “I am so thankful to the Rays organization for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. It is an honor to join the Major League coaching staff after growing up in the area, playing in the Rays' system and coaching at every level of the organization. To have this opportunity with the Rays speaks volumes to the organization and the development and trust that they invest in their people.”

Francisco will work defensively with catchers and focus on the development of Major League players, as Hoover did in the role of field coordinator. Francisco has spent 14 seasons in professional baseball, including the last 10 as a coach, manager or instructor.

The 34-year-old, a former catcher who played four years in the Rays' system, spent the last four years as Tampa Bay’s catching coordinator after one season managing the Gulf Coast League Rays, two seasons as a GCL coach and three seasons coaching in the Dominican Summer League.

“I am honored for this opportunity to join the Major League coaching staff and can’t wait to start,” Francisco said. “The organization has supported me as a Minor League player, coach, manager and coordinator and I’m so proud to be part of the Tampa Bay Rays family.”