Overhaul: Welcome the New Seattle Mariners Coaching Staff

February 19, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers batting coach

(8) poses for a picture during photo day at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Finally! It has been almost three weeks since Lloyd McClendon was named the new manager for the Seattle Mariners. And today, just minutes ago, the Mariners announced the rest of the 2014 coaching staff.

Anyone who coached last season for the Mariners is, for all intents and purposes, gone. Pitching coach Carl Willis was ousted some days ago, first base coach Mike Brumley left for the Chicago Cubs as well. And today, prior to the 2014 staff announcement, the Mariners let go of hitting coach Dave Hansen as well as third base coach Daren Brown.

This means an entirely new staff for the entirely new Lloyd McClendon. (Who, I’ve neglected to mention, has a really awesome name).

Let’s go ahead and meet the staff:

Howard Johnson replaces Hansen as the new hitting coach.

Johnson, nickname HoJo (fits perfectly with SoDo), was a switch hitting third baseman in the league from 1982-1995. He played for the Tigers, Mets, Rockies, and Cubs.

He most recently worked as the hitting coach for the Mets in 2010. But in 2011, at age 50, HoJo returned to professional baseball for a brief comeback to play two minor league games with his son Glen Johnson for the Rockland Boulders.

Johnson replaces Dave Hansen, who lasted only one year in the Mariners organization.

Dude sounds like a boss. Oh, and that ‘stache might be the greatest thing ever.

Andy Van Slyke is the new first base coach. He is a former slugging outfielder for the Pirates.

His last major league gig was as the first base coach for the Tigers. That ended, however, in 2009.

He was in the Show from 1983-1995. I don’t have too much to say about him at this point aside from the fact that he has worked with McClendon previously in Detroit. And, even at 53, he has a pretty impressive pensive look (see above).

Van Slyke replaces the windy city bound Mike Brumley.

Rick Waits has become the new pitching coach. He is a former lefty pitcher who played with the Rangers, Indians, and Brewers from 1973-1985.

Again, I don’t know too much about the guy, except that he rivals hitting coach Howard Johnson for best mustache ever.

Waits replaces recently removed Carl Willis.

Again with the mustache! Mike Rojas has been named the bullpen coach. He had been the bullpen coach in Detroit since 2011.

He has never played in the majors, but has been managing in various levels of minor league baseball since 1992. It is clear that McClendon’s familiarity with the guy goes a long way to getting him to Seattle.

He replaces Jaime Navarro from Eric Wedge‘s staff.

Chris Woodward, a two-time former Mariner, has been named the infield coach.

He played a short stint in Seattle in 2009, then was signed to a minor league contract in 2010. He retired November 1, 2012, and became an infield coordinator in the Mariners minor leagues.

A young guy at 37, he will be the greenest person on this new Mariners coaching staff. He is also taking over for Robby Thompson, former bench coach who also handled infield coaching duties.

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Please join me in warmly welcoming the 2014 Mariners coaching staff to Seattle! Though it is still uncertain what they may produce in the coming seasons, it is comforting to have a staff in place to be able to move forward in the offseason.

And just to note: the Mariners are keeping a couple of non-coach staffers: bullpen catcher Jason Phillips and left-handed batting practice pitcher Scott Budner.

Also, don’t forget that Trent Jewett was named McClendon’s bench coach on November 11.

The coaching staff is set and the roster is bare. With the winter meetings fast approaching on December 8th, it is time for the Mariners to start making some serious offseason moves in the free agent and trade markets.