masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAs Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette works to get all of the coaches under contract for 2016, he has one fewer task at hand than what’s been reported.
It turns out that bench coach John Russell agreed to a two-year deal last month, according to a source, so he’s in the fold through the 2017 season.
The contracts of all seven coaches, including assistant hitting coach Einar Diaz, were set to expire this season. Duquette confirmed on Wednesday that he extended offers to everyone on…

As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette works to get all of the coaches under contract for 2016, he has one fewer task at hand than what’s been reported.

It turns out that bench coach John Russell agreed to a two-year deal last month, according to a source, so he’s in the fold through the 2017 season.

Showalter Russell Wide.jpgThe contracts of all seven coaches, including assistant hitting coach Einar Diaz, were set to expire this season. Duquette confirmed on Wednesday that he extended offers to everyone on the staff and hoped to get their statuses resolved later in the week.

“We’ve been talking to the coaches and we’ve made offers to the coaches on the staff. We’re working on assembling the staff for next year’s team,” Duquette said.

“We’re trying to get the strongest staff together that we can for our 2016 team. We’ve been working on it this week.”

Agreements also need to be reached with first base coach Wayne Kirby, third base coach Bobby Dickerson, pitching coach Dave Wallace, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh.

Russell was hired as third base coach prior to the 2011 season before switching roles with bench coach Willie Randolph during that same year. He previously served as the Pirates’ manager for three seasons and Orioles manager Buck Showalter often credits him for the franchise’s turnaround, saying Russell did the dirty work.

The 2012 season marked Russell’s first trip to the playoffs as a player, coach or manager.

Russell’s son, Steel, is a catcher in the Orioles’ minor league system.

Update: Coolbaugh has agreed to a deal for 2016. He was hired last winter to replace Jim Presley as hitting coach. Coolbaugh had previously worked as a hitting coach for the Rangers and was their minor league hitting coordinator in 2014.

Update II: Dickerson also has signed for the 2016 season. He just completed his third season on the Orioles’ coaching staff after spending three years as minor league infield coordinator.

Update III: Chiti also is signed for the 2016 season. He just completed his second season with the Orioles.