Today it was reported (I believe first by Joe Stiglich) that the A's signed Chip Hale to a two-year contract to be Bob Melvin's bench coach. No surprise that he had worked for Melvin when Melvin managed the DBacks. I realize that the article says the author is "staff"; however, I first saw this from Stiglich's tweet.

Slusser had previously speculated that Melvin's old friend and former pitching coach Bryan Price (who currently is the Reds' pitching coach) might be offered the bench coach position (even though he has one more year left on his contract), and that perhaps Curt Young might be interviewed for the pitching coach position (although he too has a year left on his contract with Boston). Interestingly, someone had written last year that one of the reasons that Young left the A's was because he was not offered a multi-year contract. And now we see that Hale has been offered a two year contract. 

So what's left to fill? Gallego and Waller have been asked to remain for 2012, although there's no guarantee that they will still be the third and first base coaches, respectively. Additionally, Rick Rodríguez is still being considered to return as the bullpen coach, although interestingly that position is being mention as one of the coaching positions that the A's still need to fill.

Assuming that Gallego and Waller return at their respective positions, Melvin still needs a new pitching coach, hitting coach, and (maybe) a bullpen coach. And as I had suspected, Phil Garner will NOT be the bench coach. I still believe he will continue as a special assistant, which would not require him to travel constantly with the team.

Any thoughts? Price or Young (or someone else) for pitching coach? (My guess would be Price if the Reds give the A's permission to interview him, since Melvin clearly wants "his guys".