After continued seasons of collective struggles at the plate, the Oakland Athletics have hired Chili Davis to become the next hitting coach for the organization. After spending one year with the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate for the Boston Red Sox, Davis will move west and take over a very important role with Oakland. The hiring was confirmed on Friday evening by Susan Slusser:
I have had it confirmed that Chili Davis will be the new #Athletics hitting coach.
Chili will have his plate full -- bad pun intended -- with the A's, especially with the organization expected to have an influx of young hitters in the coming years. With players such as Josh Willingham and Hideki Matsui likely leaving for free agency, it will be imperative for Davis to work effortlessly with the prospects making their way to the Major Leagues in the coming months.
This appears to be a good hire on the surface. Davis reportedly worked well with the Red Sox and their organization and he has been a hot commodity by multiple teams in recent years.
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