Could this be the week the fate of the Orioles coaching staff is announced? And what, exactly, is taking so long?

Manager Buck Showalter met with his coaches last week, before he headed home to Houston for knee surgery. Showalter promised a speedy resolution to the issue of the coaching staff moving forward into 2011, in fairness to the individuals involved.

One possible explanation: Not only are the Orioles solidifying their plans for the major league coaching staff, but they are looking at realigning the minor league staffs at the same time. This is a smart move – as long as the candidates they want are available and ready to be announced now, rather than waiting for other major league clubs to slog through the same process.

Don’t be surprised if hitting coach Terry Crowley survives the ax. Showalter has been impressed with how Crowley works with the hitters and there isn’t a ready-made replacement among the Showalter loyalists scattered throughout the majors and minors.

Posted Oct. 11, 2010 at 11:40 a.m.