Rangers interested in Twins bullpen coach after LaTroy Hawkins replaced him

Texas Rangers reportedly interested in hiring Twins bullpen coach Colby Suggs, who was just replaced by former journeyman pitcher LaTroy Hawkins

The Texas Rangers are reportedly interested in hiring Minnesota Twins bullpen coach Colby Suggs as part of their coaching staff, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Dennis Lin. Suggs won't be returning to the Twins' staff next year, as Hayes reported that LaTroy Hawkins will take over Minnesota's bullpen coach duties under new manager Derek Shelton.

With the news that Texas is interested in a new bullpen coach, one would assume Jordan Tiegs, who became the Rangers' bullpen coach last season, is either due for a promotion to pitching coach or is headed elsewhere. Under Tiegs, Texas' bullpen ranked fifth in Major League Baseball with a 3.62 ERA.

Suggs served as the Twins' bullpen coach since 2022. In 2023, he helped lead the Twins to their first postseason series victory in 21 years. Additionally, he was the coach for arguably the best bullpen in baseball this season before it was dismantled at the trade deadline, with five relievers being traded. After the Twins failed to make the postseason back-to-back seasons (2023-24), they fired manager Rocco Baldelli, which led to Suggs' dismissal. It's highly unlikely that Suggs contributed to Minnesota's recent struggles, as its bullpen wasn't an issue until after this year's trade deadline.

Suggs pitched in the Miami Marlins' minor league system from 2013-2016, recording a 4.38 ERA in 79 appearances. After his playing career ended, Suggs served as the Arkansas Razorbacks' volunteer assistant coach with a focus on working with relievers. Suggs had played for Arkansas before being drafted by the Marlins.

With the Razorbacks, Suggs worked under pitching coach Wes Johnson, who is now the head coach for the Georgia Bulldogs. Johnson left Arkansas to become the Twins' pitching coach in 2019, and Suggs followed, working as an advance scout from 2019-20 before being named the run prevention coordinator in 2021. Once Johnson left the Twins to become the Louisiana State University pitching coach in June 2022, Suggs took over the bullpen coach duties while Pete Maki moved from bullpen coach to pitching coach.