Ex-#Cubs manager Mike Quade hired as skipper of Rochester Red Wings: http://t.co/hiuFaAT1kL #CubsTalk pic.twitter.com/IoBkWUbJym
— Chicago Sports Network (@CHSN__) December 19, 2014
The Minnesota Twins are getting their minor-league coaching staffs in place for the new season.
The Twins named former Cubs manager Mike Quade as the manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the team’s Triple-A affiliate.
Quade, 57, has spent 17 seasons as a minor-league manager – nine at the Triple-A level. He replaces Gene Glynn, who was promoted to the major-league staff for next season.
“With his leadership, experience and passion for the game, he will be a great addition to the Red Wings family and the Rochester community, said Twins director of minor league operations Brad Steil in a statement.
Quade becomes the 44th manager in Red Wings’ history. Hitting coach Tim Doherty, pitching coach Marty Mason, head athletic trainer Larry Bennese and strength and conditioning coach Tyler Donahue will all return to Rochester.
“After a few years away from managing, I was fortunate enough to have an organization that I have the utmost respect for offer me an opportunity to get back to doing what I’ve done for so many years,” Quade said. “I am truly looking forward to making Rochester another chapter in my baseball life. My thanks to the Twins for bringing me on board.”
Quade took over the Cubs when Lou Pinella retired during the 2010 season. He led them to a 24-13 finish that season and then went 71-91 in 2011.
He also has worked on the coaching staffs of the Pirates, Expos, Phillies, and A’s. The Star Tribune’s Phil Miller notes that Quade most recently was a roving outfield and baserunning coordinator in the Yankees’ minor league system last year.
Mientkiewicz promoted to Double-A
Doug Mientkiewicz named 2015 Lookouts' Manager! Full staff and story here: http://t.co/tW9zKX9Zk5 #Lookouts #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/uPr1IUUH9w
— Chattanooga Lookouts (@ChattLookouts) December 19, 2014
The Twins also announced that Doug Mientkiewicz will manage the new Double-A affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts.
The Twins switched affiliates from New Britain to Chattanooga during the offseason. 1500 ESPN notes that the move means Mientkiewicz, who won the Gulf Coast League Championship at Ft. Myers last season will inherit a talented group of prospects in Chattanooga.
“A promotion from High Single-A to Double-A means Mientkiewicz will manage a part of the bumper crop of prospects in the Twins pipeline, which could include names like Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, J.O. Berrios and others. From that perspective, the Double-A manager in 2015 could be an important component of development.”
Mientkiewicz, a former Twins first baseman, was one of the finalists for the Twins managerial job when Paul Molitor was hired.
Mientkiewicz’s former teammate Chad Allen and longtime Twins minor-league hand Stu Cliburn are also on the staff.
Here is the Twins’ minor league coaching roster.
#MNTwins Minor League Managers:
AAA – Mike Quade
AA – Doug Mientkiewicz
A – Jeff Smith
A – Jake Mauer
Rookie – Ray Smith
GCL – Roman Borrego— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) December 19, 2014
