Pedrique thrilled by Mills' offer

November 2, 11:15 PMHouston Astros ExaminerStephen Goff

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Al Pedrique, who served as the Arizona Diamondbacks interim manager in 2004, was named as Houston Astros bench coach by new manager Brad Mills last Friday. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Owner Drayton McLane, Jr., general manager Ed Wade and president of baseball operations Tal Smith recognize Al Pedrique as a valuable commodity to the Houston Astros organization.

Since 2004, Pedrique's stellar reputation and extensive knowledge regarding the Astros players, farm system and front office has opened the door for career advancement within the organization.

The 49-year-old Pedrique began the 2009 season as the Astros minor league field coordinator before being promoted to third-base coach upon the firing of Cecil Cooper on Sept. 21.
 
From third-base coach, Pedrique found himself as one of the 10 managerial candidates to interview for the Astros job.

Although McLane, Wade and Smith elected to hire Boston Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills as the team's new manager, Wade gave Pedrique the option of returning to his position as minor league field coordinator.

It was rumored by the Boston Herald last Wednesday that Mills would attempt to hire Red Sox third-base coach DeMarlo Hale as his new bench coach in Houston.

Instead, Mills went the other direction and officially hired Pedrique on Friday as bench coach.

The 52-year old Mills wants to begin the process of restoring a winning mindset into a Houston team led by All-Stars Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Roy Oswalt, and the hiring of Pedrique represents another positive step in the right direction.

"Brad called me on the phone and asked me if I wanted to be his bench coach," Pedrique said via a phone interview. "I didn't get the job as Astros manager, and Ed (Wade) told me I could go back to my role as minor league field coordinator. I was fine with that, but then this great opportunity came along."

While in Boston, Mills learned first hand how to build a winner under the direction of manager Terry Francona. Whether it's a perennial superstar, All-Star, veteran or rookie, Mills' effective communication skills and ability to utilize strengths and improve weaknesses appeals to all types of ballplayers.

By accepting the Astros job, Mills takes over a team which finished a disappointing 74-88 -- a big difference from what he's used to in Boston.

Traditionally, the Red Sox and New York Yankees pursue the top and most expensive free agents on the market. In Houston, Mills won't have that same luxury as the Astros intend to trim payroll and get younger.

Overall, it will be a new and exciting challenge for Mills.    

"Millsie knows the game well," Pedrique said. "We had a great conversation and I was pleasantly surprised to get the offer from him. He told me to call Ed and tell him I'll take the job. He's got a great reputation in the game, and he's got the fans and organization very excited about the future."

Mills intends to blend an AL East mentality with a solid Astros coaching staff featuring Sean Berry as hitting coach and Dave Clark, who served as interim manager for the final 13 games, as third-base coach.

He convinced Brad Arnsberg, one of the top pitching coaches in Major League Baseball, to leave Toronto for Houston, and also hired former Yankees shortstop and third-base coach Bobby Meacham as first-base coach.

"I already know Berry and Clark from working with them in the past and this season," Pedrique said. "I have known Bobby (Meacham) for a long time. With Millsie, our paths crossed once in the early 1990s in the minors. We've never really met personally, but we knew of each other based on reputation." 

In Boston, Francona relied heavily on Mills as his right-hand guy and No. 1 assistant -- Mills wants the same thing in Houston.

It was very important for Mills to hire a bench coach who not only knows the ins and outs of the Astros organization, but has proven himself as a great coach or manager on either the minor league or major league level. 

He got the best of both worlds in Pedrique, who compiled a 463-433 record as a minor league manager with the Kansas City Royals (1995-97), Astros (1999-2000) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-03), and 22-61 record as interim manager of the Diamondbacks in 2004.

With the Astros, Pedrique has been responsible for all the club's Latin American operations in Venezuela, Colombia and the Dominican Republic -- working closely with Astros assistant general managers Ricky Bennett, David Gottfried and Bobby Heck. 

Also, he's earned the trust and respect of the current Astros players, front office personnel and minor league players and coaches.

During his days managing in the Diamondbacks' farm system, Pedrique played a significant role in developing current Astros closer Jose Valverde, who McLane and Wade hope to re-sign this offseason.
 
In 2001, Valverde played for Pedrique at Double-A El Paso, as well as in 2002-03 at Triple-A Tucson. When Pedrique served as interim manager for Arizona in 2004, he was once again reunited with Valverde.

With Pedrique as bench coach, that could work to the Astros' advantage in their attempt to bring back the free agent Valverde.

"Valverde is great," Pedrique said. "We've known each other since El Paso. He's a fierce competitor and a hard worker. We had so many young kids during my time with the Diamondbacks. I learned a lot from coaching the superstars like Randy Johnson, Luis Gonzalez and Richie Sexson in 2004 and from the young kids like Valverde."

Despite the excitement of being part of Mills' staff, Pedrique knows the Astros, who have yet to make the playoffs since 2005, face an uphill battle.

"It's our job to help, teach and get better," Pedrique said. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity. We have a young, talented coaching staff and we need to go out there and compete and teach winning baseball. We'll bring the energy and passion to the clubhouse."