DeMarlo Hale talks about joining the Orioles

The Orioles didn't make any trades today, but they completed their coaching staff. That's another item to cross off the list. The holdup involved DeMarlo Hale, who had a year remaining on his contract with the Red Sox. He was invited to remain on manager Bobby Valentine's staff, but he wasn't sure in what capacity. And his longstanding relationship with Orioles manager Buck Showalter swayed him to leave the perennial contenders. Hale will coach third base for the Orioles after serving as Boston's bench coach. Hale had a long conversation with new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and they came to an understanding that led to an amicable parting. "Things had yet to be worked out," he said. "My situation there wasn't defined at this point as much as I would have liked it to have been. The opportunity came with the Baltimore Orioles, and I look forward to it. I think it's a very good opportunity." There was a period of uncertainty for Hale that he admits was "tough." "You sit back and gather your thoughts and understand how the business works," he said. "The managerial search took a little longer for the Red Sox, but I think it was important that they did it their way and the right way. At times, you can say, well, you're becoming impatient, but then when you think back about the experiences that you've been through, you understand the industry and the business, you understand that things take time. The waiting period, it is what it is, and it's kind of come to the point now where a new direction has been established. "Truly, I understand being in this business, that it doesn't happen by a time schedule." Hale and Showalter bonded during their days in Texas. If Showalter had moved into the Orioles' front office this winter, Hale would have been a leading candidate to take over as manager. "I was on Buck's staff in Texas for three years and we got to know each other," Hale said. "When he came over, the direction that we were heading over there and the things that we were trying to accomplish, I understood. And it was a good time, and it was a good time in my development, also, as a coach. Me and Buck have kept a friendship throughout the years. He understood, I think, clearly my direction and what I wanted to accomplish in this game and moving forward and moving up, and hopefully one day get an opportunity to manage. He was a big backer through our conversations that we had during my time in Texas. "No doubt, I learned a lot from him. You learn through your journeys. And when I reached out to him, knowing that there was a possibility that I wouldn't be returning to the Red Sox, I had a good conversation and this opportunity presented itself. I'm glad for it and happy."