Who will Torey Lovullo pick for the Arizona Diamondbacks coaching staff?

When Torey Lovullo's name first came up for the Diamondbacks managerial job, many people assumed that at least one of Brian Bannister, Victor Rodriguez, or Dana LeVangie would join him. That was probably a safe assumption until Dave Dombrowski decided to end the mass exodus at Lovullo. With that being the case, imagining who Torey will take with him requires a little bit of creativity. Here is my best shot.

Just because he can't poach any current Red Sox coaches doesn't mean he can't hire a few former ones. Marlins AAA manager Arnie Beyeler is perhaps the best candidate for a position, as he was the first base coach and outfield instructor for the 2013 World Series team. Beyeler oversaw a run game that featured the American League steals leader, Jacoby Ellsbury, and an outfield that features a Gold Glove winner in Shane Victorino. His New Orleans Zephyrs finished just under .500 (69-70), but he has gotten the attention of Don Mattingly, as he is reportedly a finalist for the Marlins' vacant third base coach position. If he doesn't get the Marlins' job, which is rumored to be going to Fredi Gonzales, he could be in line to be either a base coach or the bench coach.

For the hitting coach job, there may not be a better candidate than Tim Hyers. In 2010, Lovullo's lone year in Pawtucket as the Red Sox' AAA manager, Hyers was an area scout for the Sox. In 2013, the year that Lovullo became Boston's bench coach, he was promoted to be their minor league hitting coordinator. From 2013 to 2016, when he left to become the Dodgers' assistant hitting coach, he prepared players such as Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Travis Shaw, and Blake Swihart to make an impact on the Big League club. It doesn't hurt his chances that he knows all of the hitters on the reigning National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

A potential candidate to be his bullpen or pitching coach is Rich Sauveur. He just finished his first season with the Diamondbacks' single-A Kane County Cougars. His connection with Lovullo comes from their 2010 season together in Pawtucket. Besides familiarity with Lovullo, what gives the Diamondbacks reason to hire him? He has received credit for revitalizing Andrew Miller's career.

A potential wild-card is Luis Rivera. He was with Lovullo during his time with the Blue Jays as a coaching assistant (he was promoted to third base coach for the 2013 season after John Farrell left with most of his staff), and he has an extensive background in player development as a minor league coach and manager with the Mets and Indians. He could be a fit for several Major League jobs, as well as if Mike Hazen desires to look outside the organization to replace Phil Nevin.

Those four are not guaranteed to be on the Diamondbacks coaching staff, but they are my favorite candidates. I'm sure people like Alex Cora and Gary DiSarcina will be considered, as they should, but the four mentioned in this article should receive the first calls from Torey Lovullo and Mike Hazen.