Today, Lloyd McClendon announced the remainder of his coaching staff for 2014.  A common theme with a majority of his hirings – four of the six – is their prior work with the young Mariners who are expected to play a significant part in the team’s 2014 campaign.  Whether this is any indication as to whether the Mariners are going to be serious players in free agency, or are going to rely on in-house options to fill needs, that still remains to be seen.  But judging from McClendon’s newly formed staff, surrounding the M’s young players with the coaches who have worked with them during their minor league ascension to the big league ballclub appears to have been a priority.

Joining previously named bench coach Trent Jewett, bullpen catcher Jason Phillips, and batting practice pitcher Scott Budner, McClendon has added the following to his staff:

Howard Johnson, hitting coach.  The former NL all-star spent the 2013 season serving as the Tacoma Rainiers hitting coach, where he spent time tutoring Brad Miller, Nick Franklin, and Mike Zunino.  Prior to working in the Mariners organization, HoJo spent 11 seasons in the Mets organization, including three seasons as their big league hitting instructor from 2008-2010.

Rick Waits, pitching coach.  Waits has spent the last three seasons working as the Mariners Minor League Pitching Coordinator, where he worked extensively with top pitching prospects Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, Danny Hultzen, and Erasmo Ramirez.  Prior to coming to the Mariners, Waits worked in the Mets organization, spending 15 seasons in Player Development, and one season as the Mets Bullpen Coach.

John Stearns, third base coach.  Stearns spent 2013 as Seattle’s Minor League Catching Coordinator, as well as Manager of the Tacoma Rainiers, during which time he worked with many of the Mariners top prospects now on the big league club.  Prior to working in the Mariners organization, Stearns spent two seasons with the Mets serving as the team’s third base coach and catching instructor.

Chris Woodward, infield coach.  Last season, the former Mariner big leaguer received his first coaching job as the organization’s Roving Minor League Infield Coordinator.  In this capacity, Woodward spent a majority of his time working with many of the organizations top infield prospects including Franklin and Miller.

Andy Van Slyke, first base coach.  McClendon adds another former NL all star, gold glover, and fellow teammate to his roster in Van Slyke.  Away from baseball the last four seasons, Van Slyke comes to the Mariners having last coached alongside McClendon with the Detroit Tigers in 2009, serving as the team’s first base coach.

Mike Rojas, bullpen coach.  McClendon dips into the Tigers’ current coaching staff, hiring the Tigers’ bullpen coach the past 2 ½ seasons to fulfill the same duties with the Mariners.  Rojas also served time as the Tigers’ Director of Player Development, as well as Minor League Infield Coordinator.