CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild has declined the Tigers' offer to become their pitching coach, it was learned Monday night.

Rothschild was the first choice for the job of new Tigers manager Jim Leyland. It is believed that the Tigers offered Rothschild a three-year contract -- the same length as Leyland's new deal. Rothschild was not immediately available for comment.

Leyland last week sounded prepared for the possibility that Rothschild would stay with the Cubs. He said he was willing to take his time if necessary to find the right fit at pitching coach. "We have some other names on the list," Leyland said last week after the club began talks with Rothschild.

Rothschild was Leyland's pitching coach on the Florida Marlins when that club won the 1997 world title. Rothschild left after that season to become the first manager of the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

He has been the Cubs' pitching coach the last four seasons. One reason he might have elected to stay in Chicago was to continue the development of several young Cubs pitchers.
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