5 priorities awaiting Marlins this offseason

MIAMI — The threat of Hurricane Matthew preoccupied the entire Marlins organization over the past few days. Like the rest of South Florida, team employees and officials were preparing for the powerful storm that reached Category 4 status.

Fortunately, the hurricane just caused minimal damage to the area — and in the upcoming days and weeks, it will be back to business for the Marlins as they plan for 2017.

Among the most pressing topics are:

1) Manager Don Mattingly’s staff: The team announced on Wednesday Barry Bonds (hitting coach), Lenny Harris (third base) and Reid Cornelius (bullpen) will not be returning. Nothing is imminent on replacements, but Mike Pagliarulo is getting serious consideration for a hitting-coach spot. A former teammate of Mattingly with the Yankees, Pagliarulo, 56, is familiar with South Florida. He attended and played baseball at the University of Miami.

The Marlins will employ two hitting coaches. Frank Menechino is returning, but how the responsibilities are broken down has yet to be determined.

Another candidate to join the staff, perhaps as third-base coach, is Arnie Beyeler, the Triple-A New Orleans manager this season. …

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