Just days after the end of the 2020 season that saw the Baltimore Orioles finish with an impressive 25-35 record, the club announced coaches José Flores and Doug Brocail will not return to the team next year.
Apparently due to budget cuts, the Orioles are looking to go different ways at these spots, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.
This move to economically condense the minor league system is one that comes at no surprise, as the push to condense the system last season hit full stride. As we saw with the 60-man player pool this season, prime minor leaguers are safe in the system regardless, so the Orioles are somewhat in a position for these cuts.
Flores has been manning third base for the Orioles since 2019, once getting into a screaming battle with Richard Bleier about his defense shift usage, as he was also the infield coach.
Brocail was a part of the Orioles system for two seasons and was chosen not to return to the club for 2021, despite having his contract renewed in 2020. Brocail was largely responsible for helping an Orioles pitching staff improve greatly in 2020.
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