Is Mallee a candidate to join Orioles?

The Orioles handled the task this week of notifying three coaches that they wouldn't have their contracts renewed for the 2020 season. The first steps toward making changes.

Steps that were bound to happen, though the challenge was identifying the impacted members of the staff.

Up next are interviews with candidates that should begin in a couple of days. A procedure that's keeping manager Brandon Hyde in Baltimore.

What's known at the present time is that first base coach/outfield instructor Arnie Beyeler, assistant hitting coach Howie Clark and bullpen coach John Wasdin aren't coming back. Still to be determined is whether the five holdovers will stay in their current roles.

Hitting coach Don Long is included in the group that's invited to remain beyond the expiration later this month of his one-year deal. However, the Orioles could try to find a role for former Phillies hitting coach John Mallee.

It wouldn't surprise me if Mallee is summoned for an interview.

Past connections make him a logical fit in some capacity and there's been an industry buzz for a while linking him to the Orioles.

Mallee has served as hitting coach with the Marlins, Astros, Cubs and Phillies. Hyde worked in various capacities for the Marlins and Cubs. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias used to work in Houston's front office before the Orioles hired him in November.

Is that obvious enough?

Prior to joining the major league staff in Florida, Mallee served as Marlins minor league hitting coordinator from 2002-2010. He was the Astros' hitting coach in 2013-14 and succeeded Bill Mueller with the Cubs in 2015 prior to his dismissal in October 2017.

Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel replaced Mallee as Phillies hitting coach earlier this summer.

The Orioles need a replacement for Clark and they also dismissed minor league hitting coordinator Jeff Manto in September.

The last time I checked, they also had to replace Triple-A Norfolk hitting coach Butch Davis, who's expected to rejoin Double-A Bowie. The Baysox no longer have hitting coach Keith Bodie, but Davis might be employed as an extra coach in charge of outfield and baserunning instruction.

Single-A Frederick hitting coach Bobby Rose has been let go and Single-A Delmarva hitting coach Dan Radison and Rookie-level Gulf Coast League hitting coach Milt May retired.

Rookie-level Dominican Summer League hitting coach Benny Adames also was dismissed in September.

Among the anticipated changes that I've reported, and I'm doing this now as an exercise to keep them fresh while my head spins, is Delmarva manager Kyle Moore moving up to Frederick, minor league infield coordinator Dave Anderson being named Delmarva manager, Shorebirds development coach Pat Leyland managing in the Dominican and Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin replacing Scott McGregor as pitching rehabilitation coordinator in Sarasota, Fla., if he accepts the offer.

Bowie pitching coach Kennie Steenstra is likely to replace Griffin with the Tides.

The Orioles might not replace minor league catching coordinator Donnie Werner, tweaking how the role is handled.

The Orioles posted another round of job openings yesterday via Elias' Twitter account, seeking applicants for such positions as head strength and conditioning coordinator, player performance coordinator, minor league hitting coach, minor league developmental coach, minor league fundamentals coach, and minor league strength coaches at Norfolk and Bowie and in the Dominican Republic.

They're also seeking a Southwest region scout, a scouting analyst and an economic valuation analyst for baseball operations.