:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62930726/1388586.jpg.0.jpg)
Aaron Sele, who was once a first-round draft pick (1991, by the Red Sox, 23rd overall), pitched for the Red Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, Dodgers and Mets in a 15-year major-league career. Now, he is going to be a member of the Cubs’ baseball operations department:
Aaron Sele carries respect through all the baseball community, left the Marlins ten days ago because of a lack of said respect, and is already hired by the Cubs.
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) January 25, 2019
Sele spent a decade after his playing career, from 2008-17, as a member of the Dodgers’ baseball operations department, first as a minor-league pitching instructor, then as a special assistant. He spent 2018 working for the Marlins as a special assignment scout, and was let go last week:
Turnover continues with #Marlins. Special assignment scout Aaron Sele, the former pitcher, was released from his contract at his request, sources tell The Athletic. In Oct., MIA cut ties with pro scouting director Jim Cuthbert and special assignment scout Willie Fraser left club.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 17, 2019
It’s unclear at this time exactly what Sele’s role will be with the Cubs, but based on this tweet, it could be as a pro scout:
Cubs’ pro scouts did an exceptional job last winter of identifying low-cost relievers, and Aaron will enhance this department in a significant manner. https://t.co/Pb02ax4u3L
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 25, 2019
That’s something any good pitching staff can use these days — low-cost relievers. The Cubs have made some excellent under-the-radar hires in baseball operations over the last few years, and it appears that Sele could be yet another one of these good hires.