Journal Sports Writer
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With enough upheaval in the last month to last a lifetime, the Red Sox want to keep further changes to a minimum. But it appears new manager Grady Little will be given the go-ahead to make some changes in the makeup of his coaching staff.
Sources indicate that Little wants to have Mike Stanley, currently the team's bench coach, as his hitting instructor. That could dislodge Dwight Evans, hired last December as the team's hitting coach. Evans could be re-assigned within the organization.
Little reportedly favors hiring Tony Cloninger as his pitching coach. Cloninger, who worked as the bullpen coach recently for the New York Yankees, is now a scout with the San Francisco Giants.
As of last night, a Giants' source said the Sox hadn't yet called for permission to speak with Cloninger.
The role of Red Sox pitching coach is currently filled by Ralph Treuel, who was promoted last September when John Cumberland was dismissed as pitching coach. Treuel, who has worked as minor league pitching coordinator and Double-A pitching coach, could also be given other duties. Treuel is closely aligned with Dan Duquette and Joe Kerrigan, both of whom were fired in recent weeks.
It's unclear what Little would do to fill the void of bench coach, though he told friends in the Indians organization that he could go without one. Or, he could conceivably move Mike Cubbage from third to the bench. Cubbage has bench coach experience, having served in that role for Larry Dierker last year in Houston.
Interim general manager Mike Port said last week that a new manager would have to present "a compelling reason," to make changes in the staff as the Sox were striving for continuity. But the team relented and reportedly gave Little the right to make limited staff changes when he was offered the job late Sunday night.
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