Lee Sinins' email today carries the long-awaited news that Don Wakamatsu has been hired as the new A's bench coach. The speculation is that this will open a position in Texas for Ron Washington to bring in Bob Schaefer.

As for the still-open third-base coach position, the Chronicle says that there are at least three candidates: "Pete Mackanin, the Reds' interim manager this season, and Bucky Dent, who was a Cincinnati coach in 2007, have interviewed with the A's. Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco will interview with the A's today." See here.