Athletics bench coach Chip Hale named Arizona Diamondbacks manager

USA TODAY Sports Major League Baseball columnist Bob Nightengale reports that Oakland Athletics bench coach Chip Hale will be named the new manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hale had been bench coach for the Athletics for the three full seasons Athletics manager Bob Melvin has been at the helm, having previously been third base and infield coach for the Diamondbacks under Melvin between 2007 and 2009. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports adds that Hale has agreed to a two-year deal with Arizona.

Chip Hale will replace Kirk Gibson, who was relieved of his duties in the final weekend of the regular season by Diamondbacks Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa and General Manager Dave Stewart.

The A's will have a chance to face the Diamondbacks led by Hale at Chase Field in Phoenix from August 28-30, 2015.

Hale had also interviewed with the Minnesota Twins to replace Ron Gardenhire, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Slusser believes St. Louis Cardinals bench coach Mike Aldrete is a prime candidate to replace Hale as the bench coach in Oakland:

Mike Aldrete is good friends w/ Bob Melvin, has worked w/ him before and he lives in Monterey and has liked idea of being closer to home.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) October 13, 2014