Red Sox name another scapegoat for the 2019 season

Jim Monaghan
Content Coordinator

Because, as the old adage goes, you can't fire the players, right?

Following the dimissal of assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett last week after two seasons with the team, the Red Sox made two additional coaching changes on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of USA Today
Former assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister has been reassigned to the new position of vice president of pitching development in which his focus will be primarily on the minor leagues.

And Dana LeVangie will transition from the team's pitching coach to pro scout, a job he's held previously within the organization.

A career member of the Red Sox organization since being drafted by the team in 1991, LeVangie (pictured) played for six seasons in the Boston minor league organization before becoming the team's bullpen catcher in 1997.

In addition to serving as a pro scout and advance scout for the Red Sox, LeVangie was also the bullpen coach and interim bench coach under former manager John Farrell.

Here's the part you may find a little confusing.

After being named pitching coach prior to the World Championship 2018 season, LeVangie was considered to have a large part in the staff ERA of 3.75. In the just-completed 2019 season, the staff ERA jumped almost a full run to 4.70.

So, which season was the fluke?

The 2019 season was plagued by inconsistency on the mound. Chris Sale, David Price and Nathan Eovaldi all dealt with various injuries, and former Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello just couldn't seem to get in a consistent groove despite the fact that he was second in wins and innings pitched behind Eduardo Rodriguez.

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