Feb. 24--MESA, Ariz. -- Controversial slugger Manny Ramirez has been re-hired by the Chicago Cubs as a hitting consultant.
Ramirez, who spent last season as a player-coach at Triple-A Iowa, will work with the team's major and minor league hitters on the fundamental and mental aspects of hitting.
"Manny got rave reviews from everyone he worked with, from the young hitters he helped influence to the coaches that he spent a lot of time around," Cubs President Theo Epstein said. "He did a great job of fitting in, sharing his wisdom and experience and being very open and honest about what not to do from his past and lessons that he learned along the way.
"He was a huge asset, and we were very hopeful about the possibility of bringing him back, and we were able to work something out."
Ramirez hasn't formally retired as a player after a 19-year career in which he batted .312 but tested positive twice for performance enhancing drugs.
"He consistently from last season through the end of winter and all this month he's expressed an interest in continuing to work with our young hitters," Epstein said. "We told him that we'd be patient and when he decided to play or not play, we'd be here for him and be flexible if he wants a full-time or part-time role or consultant's role.
"This is a very substantial role. He'll spend most of spring training here and he'll spend plenty of time visiting Chicago and possibility Des Moines (Triple-A Iowa), working with select young hitters.
"It's unlikely he'll go play in the minor leagues at this point. I just think he's not sure he's going to do that grind. I just think he wants to be around the young hitters and working with them rather than playing."
The Cubs also announced the hiring of former major leaguer Kevin Youkilis as a scouting and player development consultant. Youkilis will assistant the front office by scouting amateur and professional hitters in Northern California and will work with hitters in the minor league system under the direction of the hitting coordinator.
Youkilis' hiring was reported last week by the Tribune.
The Cubs also announced:
-- A new mental skills program, led by director Josh Lifrak.
-- Former major leaguer Darnell McDonald was named coordinator of the program after serving last season as a baseball operations assistant.
-- Ray Fuentes was named Latin coordinator of their program after serving two seasons as a cultural programs coordinator. Dr. Ken Ravizza was named consultant.
-- Tim Adkins and Trey Forkerway were promoted to crosschecker scouts after serving as area scouts. Adkins will handle the Midwest and Northeast regions and Forkerway will cover the Central region.
-- Daniel Carte (Ohio Valley), Kevin Ellis (South Texas/Louisiana), Greg Hopkins (Northwest) and Alex Levitt (Deep South) were named area scouts.
-- Terry Kennedy was promoted to major league scout, and Jason Parks was named a professional/amateur scout.
