Orioles receive permission to interview Coolbaugh (updated)

Earlier this week, the Orioles failed to convince Charlie Manuel to accept the job of hitting coach despite numerous attempts to lure him to Baltimore. They pretty much knew by Tuesday morning that it wasn't going to happen. However, they have received permission to interview Rangers minor league hitting coordinator Scott Coolbaugh, according to an industry source. The Orioles were under the impression at the Winter Meetings that the Rangers denied permission, but Coolbaugh is expected to meet later this week with manager Buck Showalter and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Coolbaugh, 48, served as Rangers hitting coach from June 8, 2011 until being replaced by Dave Magadan on Oct. 19, 2012. He held the same job in their farm system and later became minor league hitting coordinator. Jeff Manto, the Orioles' minor league hitting coordinator, is believed to have been the only internal candidate. It appears that they will go outside the organization for Jim Presley's replacement. Presley was reassigned within the organization. Coolbaugh was a career .215/.281/.310 hitter in parts of four major league seasons with the Rangers, Padres and Cardinals, and a .261/.343/.436 hitter in 12 minor league seasons. Showalter worked with him in the past and hoped to arrange an interview. The Orioles initially thought they could make a hire by the start of the Winter Meetings. Showalter keeps insisting that he's in no rush and an announcement may not come until the end of the year. Showalter quipped earlier this week that he'll definitely have a new hitting coach in spring training. The Sun first reported that Coolbaugh would interview for the job. Update: The Orioles have 24 hours to interview Coolbaugh. The meeting is supposed to take place Friday in Dallas. They were denied permission initially, but the Rangers finally consented.