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GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

metirish Sep 30 2011 06:50 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Oct 04 2011 06:10 PM

Word is Tito Francona will be out in Boston as early as today, would not be "fired" just his options not picked up. I suppose a dignified way of parting comapny. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/mana ... sox-092911 Mike Quade expected to be gone too, he just got there didn't he? I saw Acta got his 2013 option picked up, he was signed through 2012 but they like him , as they should. Valentine to Boston talk starts now.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 30 2011 07:17 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Go for it, Bobby. I couldn't imagine Francona surviving this kinda finish

Frayed Knot Sep 30 2011 07:21 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Theo said yesterday (among a ton of other things about no one to blame but ourselves yadda yadda) that this collapse should in no way reflect on Francona. Not that we should take post-season statements like that at full value EVER, but I do wonder how much say Theo has in this.

Edgy MD Sep 30 2011 07:45 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I knew I'd find this article before searching for it. Cubs likely to reconcile with Ryne Sandberg By gordon wittenmyer gwittenmyer@suntimes.com September 27, 2011 1:02AM SAN DIEGO — Sources within the team expect the Cubs and estranged icon Ryne Sandberg to reconcile before next season, possibly with him as the Cubs’ next manager. But as of Monday, the Philadelphia Phillies hadn’t been asked permission by any team to talk to Sandberg, who led their Class AAA Lehigh Valley affiliate to its first winning record and the International League playoffs in his first year back with his original organization, according to the Phillies’ website. Sandberg, a favorite of the Ricketts ownership, is open to a return to the Cubs because general manager Jim Hendry — who hired Mike Quade over Sandberg last fall — was fired, according to a source close to Sandberg. Whatever the Cubs’ timeline on having a new GM in place, they might need to act quickly on Sandberg, who is finishing the season on the Phillies’ big-league staff. Some loose speculation even had him linked recently to the White Sox before Ozzie Guillen’s exit. “I thought he was fantastic,’’ Phillies GM Ruben Amaro told mlb.com. “He should get an opportunity to be in the big leagues as a coach or manager. I’m certain he has the ability to do that. For his sake, I hope people come calling for him. For our sake, I hope they don’t because we’d love to have him in our organization.’’

metirish Sep 30 2011 08:02 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Sandberg is their Backman sounds like.

Edgy MD Sep 30 2011 08:08 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Well, as a Hall of Famer with more to lose than to add by returning to the dugout in a new role, but still wanting to do it in the uniform and city where he had his glory, I'd certainly give him more props than that. More analogous to Gary Carter or Alan Trammell, I think. You're a Cubs legend. Unimpeachable. Why put that on the line and risk becoming another in a long line of ignominious failures as Cubs manager? I admire the heck out of that. It's the post-career professional equivalent of staying in the game and taking your swings with the batting average title seemingly out of reach.

bmfc1 Sep 30 2011 08:19 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Too bad the Mets can't afford Francona. Maybe he'll sit out a year and the team's finances will improve by then.

DocTee Sep 30 2011 08:24 AM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I wish the ChiSox would get Sandberg. Just because.

Frayed Knot Sep 30 2011 04:03 PM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Sox now confirm that Francona is out as Boston mgr after 7 seasons. Helluva run while it lasted.

G-Fafif Sep 30 2011 05:26 PM Re: Managerial Changes/ Speculation

8 seasons -- let us not forget 2004 (as if we could).

metirish Oct 04 2011 06:13 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Cubs ask permission to speak to Epstein By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Globe colleague Dan Shaughnessy has learned from a team source that the Chicago Cubs have asked the Red Sox for permission to speak with Theo Epstein regarding a position in their organization. According to Shaughnessy, there were meetings at Fenway Park this afternoon regarding the team's response to the request. Because Epstein is under contract, the Red Sox would have the right to refuse such a request. They could grant it with the condition that some sort of compensation be made in exchange for hiring Epstein. Or Epstein could decline the interest. Epstein is two months away from the ninth anniversary of his hiring as general manager of the Sox. Only seven other active general managers have been with the same team longer. He turns 38 in December and could be seeking a new challenge within baseball. Or he could be trying to leverage the interest from the Cubs into a new contract and/or more power with the Red Sox. If Epstein were to leave the Red Sox, senior vice president and assistant general manager Ben Cherington would be a logical replacement. Cherington has been with the Red Sox since 1999 and was one of the team officials who replaced Epstein during his three-month departure in 2005. Cherington was a participant in the meeting on Friday that led to Terry Francona’s departure, a sign of his stature within the organization. More to come on this in the Globe tomorrow and on Boston.com later on today. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/r ... News_links

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 04 2011 06:41 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

A guy from Boston told me today that Francona would end up with the White Sox most likely.

Frayed Knot Oct 04 2011 09:40 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

We had fun tracking the changes last season even though there doesn't look to be nearly as much turnover this winter. TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up ??? YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent ??? TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 SSigned thru 2012 Same MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager ??? PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same?? BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 2012 Mutual Option ??? REDS Disty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2013 + ‘13 option Same GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

TheOldMole Oct 05 2011 09:59 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Four managers with Metly connections.

metirish Oct 06 2011 03:03 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Robin Ventura hired as White Sox manager, could be an inspired .

HahnSolo Oct 06 2011 03:08 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

They like their ex-players coming back into the dugout there, apparently. Ozzie, now Robin.

Edgy MD Oct 06 2011 03:12 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

TheOldMole wrote: Four managers with Metly connections. Now five. Do I hear six? I look forward to him getting a face-pounding from Nolan Ryan on the Sox first trip to Texas.

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2011 03:27 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

metirish wrote: Robin Ventura hired as White Sox manager BAM !!!!! That one certainly came out of nowhere.

metirish Oct 06 2011 04:07 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Frayed Knot wrote: metirish wrote: Robin Ventura hired as White Sox manager BAM !!!!! That one certainly came out of nowhere. that was my thought too, any managerial experience?, a bold move for sure.

bmfc1 Oct 06 2011 04:11 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

An ESPN Chicago said that he was told that the White Sox had hired Robin Ventura and he replied "for what?"

Edgy MD Oct 06 2011 04:38 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

metirish wrote: metirish wrote: Robin Ventura hired as White Sox manager BAM !!!!! That one certainly came out of nowhere. that was my thought too, any managerial experience?, a bold move for sure. Special assistant to the director of player development. Not a traditional track based on current practices, but certainly within the tradtion of hiring guys who've graced the uniform. The shocker is how fast it happened. Did they even bring in minority candidates for interviews as per MLB policy? I read buzz about Sandy Alomar and Dave Martinez, but if they were interviewed, the Sox certainly didn't spend any time feigning serious deliberatons over them.

G-Fafif Oct 06 2011 05:33 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

TheOldMole wrote: Four managers with Metly connections. Plus two -- Kirk Gibson and Mike Scioscia -- who are Met-infamous for their actions in the same game.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 06 2011 05:35 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Robin Ventura! That's great! I had no idea he'd have been a candidate for dogcatcher much less manager.

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2011 06:06 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation Edited 4 time(s), most recently on Oct 13 2011 07:12 AM

Apparently Reinsdorf hired RV in mid-season to be a sort of all-around org guy with the idea of him nosing around to see whether he'd be interested in getting back into baseball - but that's it as far as his post-career baseball life goes aside from doing some TV work in both the college & Little League WS. Reinsdorf does have a history of hiring first-time guys in both the ChiSox & Bulls (Ozzie, for instance, also Phil Jackson and several others) although usually the hires did have some experience as assistants or in lower-leagues (college, minors, CBL, etc.). I hadn't even heard anything about who they were interviewing. I suppose they had to interview some minority candidates as per the rules and stuff but, even so, you know somebody(s) is going to see this as another door opened immediately for the favored white boy. TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up ??? YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent =#BF0000]Robin Ventura - "multi-year deal" TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 SSigned thru 2012 Same MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 =#BF0000]Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager ??? PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same?? BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 2012 Mutual Option ??? REDS Disty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2013 + ‘13 option Same GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

smg58 Oct 06 2011 08:43 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Best of luck to Robin, but that's a tough entry-level position.

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2011 02:20 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I guess we have to add Cashman to the GM part of this speculation thread. He's not signed beyond this year and you have to wonder how he feels about returning, especially after the pre-season debacle where he publicly stated that Raphael Soriano wasn't worth the money plus the draft pick it would take to get him only to have his superiors go over his head and do just that weeks later. Last time he re-upped, back when George was still around, he reportedly got assurances about "full autonomy" but that agreement apparently doesn't extend to George's kids or to the Trost/Levine contingent. He was willing to let ARod walk as well before the Steiny boys over-ruled him with creative salary & marketing gimmicks. Bet the Cubbies are ready to hand plenty of cash to their new GM as well as grant him a long leash to spread cash among new players.

Edgy MD Oct 07 2011 02:34 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Like that "agreement" meant something when George was alive.

Edgy MD Oct 10 2011 05:12 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

A small dream dies as Joe McEwing joins Robin Ventura in Chicago instead of Terry Collins in Queens.

Ceetar Oct 10 2011 06:17 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: A small dream dies as Joe McEwing joins Robin Ventura in Chicago instead of Terry Collins in Queens. it's just a shame the White Sox don't come to Citi this year.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 11 2011 01:54 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Screw a McEwing reunion-- we were thisclose to a player-manager! The White Sox's stunning hiring of Robin Ventura to replace Ozzie Guillen as manager Thursday came as a result of board chairman Jerry Reinsdorf instructing his general manager, Kenny Williams, "to think outside the box on this one - no retreads." ... A week or so later, Williams came to Reinsdorf with two lists, one with what the chairman termed "a lot of the usual suspects" and the other with Ventura - a White Sox third base icon from 1989-98 before he spent the next five years in New York with the Mets and Yankees - along with Paul Konerko, their present-day first base icon. Someone writing down what Ken Williams said at a press conference today wrote: "That report is not false."

Edgy MD Oct 11 2011 02:22 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I would certainly lean toward White Sox fanmanship if they brought back the player-manager.

metirish Oct 11 2011 05:03 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Reports have Epstein this close to joining the Cubs.

Ashie62 Oct 11 2011 05:25 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Reports like this... [url]http://eye-on-baseball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/32667539

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 11 2011 05:39 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Epstein to the Cubs, Cashman to the Bosox would be pretty funny. MFYs haven't begun negotiations with Cashman yet, his contract expires Oct. 31.

Frayed Knot Oct 11 2011 05:58 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

All in all not a great month for Sawx fans, huh? I think if one were to go through Epstein's tenure you'd find his trades, drafts & development have worked out well: Pedroia, Gozalez, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Bard, Papelbon, Buchholz, Lester, etc., but the bigger FA signings have been at best spotty and at worst terrible: Drew, Crawford, Lackey, Matsuzaka

Edgy MD Oct 11 2011 06:05 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

That Julio Lugo deal sure made the Castillo contract look good. Who is rumored to inherit the Sox job?

Benjamin Grimm Oct 11 2011 06:08 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 11 2011 06:24 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

i know what you're sayin'.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 07:20 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Adam Rubin reports that Buster Olney reports, that J.P. Ricciardi, special assistant to Sandy Alderson, is a finalist for the Orioles GM job. Also in the final heat with Mets DNA is Gerry Hunsicker (currently senior vice presidentof baseball operations for Tampa Bay). Rounding out the field are Josh Byrnes (Padres, vice president of baseball operations, was in the mix for the Mets job last year, I think), Thad Levine (Rangers) assistant general manager), Tony LaCava (Blue Jays, vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager), and Dan Jennings (assistant GM, Marlins). I'd guessing LaCava gets the job. He and Jennings have been long-time candidates for the big chair, but have been passed over. But being in the division, he likely knows the personnel best. On the other hand, the O's have a history of going with experience. They also have a history of dividing up the front office jobs to the point where it's unclear who answers to whom.

TransMonk Oct 12 2011 07:24 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 12 2011 07:25 AM

Official, 5 years, $15M: http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this- ... -deal-cubs

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 07:25 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Wowser. Does Beane finally take the Boston job and ruin the end of his own movie?

metirish Oct 12 2011 07:29 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

One thing about the Cubs, they spend money like drunken sailors.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 12 2011 08:04 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

The Bosox see Theo's deputy Ben Cherington as the heir apparent.

Frayed Knot Oct 12 2011 10:13 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

TransMonk wrote: Official, 5 years, $15M: http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this- ... -deal-cubs Not that a talk radio host saying it's a done deal makes it a done deal, but, yeah, this sounds pretty much like a done deal. All this comes amid reports floating around Boston of an out of control clubhouse which included pitchers eating, drinking & video gaming during games, as well as a manager possibly distracted by marital problems (Francona and long-time wife have apparently separated) and/or prescription pain pills (prescribed for various knee surgeries.

bmfc1 Oct 12 2011 11:04 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

This is the story that FK mentions: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/r ... _collapse/

attgig Oct 12 2011 11:27 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

cubs will also be paying another 3.5 mil to the bosox for hiring him.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 11:29 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

That article is impressive.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 11:37 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I know it's almost unworkable, but I'd like ballplayers to live in the world I do, where their so-called superiors have more salary/job security than they do.

metirish Oct 12 2011 11:45 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: That article is impressive. excellent insight to the goings on up there.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 12 2011 12:29 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

metirish wrote: Edgy DC wrote: That article is impressive. excellent insight to the goings on up there. Yeah, that's a haul.

G-Fafif Oct 12 2011 12:38 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: Adam Rubin reports that Buster Olney reports... Was in Baltimore over the weekend, saw Ricciardi's name in the Sun regarding GM candidates. Wonder if "Olney reports" (or whoever) generally means "read the local paper online."

metirish Oct 12 2011 02:10 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: That article is impressive. excellent insight to the goings on up there. Yeah, that's a haul. Olbermann claims it's a smear job http://keitholbermann.mlblogs.com/2011/ ... -lucchino/

bmfc1 Oct 12 2011 02:13 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Remember the line in a Heyman column where some Red Sox spokesperson said something like "It's not like we're the Mets." That's true; Red Sox ownership is slimier.

Frayed Knot Oct 12 2011 02:26 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Remembering the first time Theo left -- http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/1600/f1_t1641.shtml

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 12 2011 07:01 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: That article is impressive. Insofar as a lot of feces hurled at a wall tends to leave an impression. Very little of it tends to stick, though.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 07:23 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Oooh, disagreement. I don't think it's a hatchet job. Folks made accusations, he sought confirmation, and he gave the guys accused more than adequate chance to respond.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 12 2011 08:15 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Bringing up the painkiller/personal strife stuff after Francona exits seems particularly distasteful-- regardless of whether it's true, it's less pertinent than it is vengeful. But the other stuff-- Fried chicken in the clubhouse! Players being tired... and vocal about it! Nobody left over from 200-fucking 4! The guys -- is even less useful, and echoes the dumb stuff we saw in the Post and Snooze in 2007, only with less real meat. Whether or not he did his due diligence, Hohler seems to have essentially taken dictation from upper management; the piece slings blame in about a thousand different directions but one, while building no real case. ("We're still not sure what happened," in essence, "but here's some stuff that did.") If there's no player response, well... Christ, these are their bosses talking, y'know?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 12 2011 08:25 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I dunno, I think if a manager presiding over a mutinous underachieving team responsible for the 3rd worst collapse in baseball history was addicted to painkillers while it happened it is pertinent. Certainly a lot of bad shit going down there, really disappointed to see Wakefield, Youkilis and Varitek considered a part of it.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 08:37 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

The team collapsed and their heroic manager and general manager are gone. Somebody is going to write a post-mortem on that. It was going to be filled with innuendo and insinuation. This was more responsible than most every other article would be. I came out with nothing but compassion for Francona.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 12 2011 09:05 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 12 2011 10:22 PM

Their heroic manager and GM are gone, and both are laded with copious, scattershot blame (the likes of which were smeared all over Pedro's and Manny's shadows as they left town). Francona's marital problems and "drug abuse" and caring about his son are raised as possible causes absent backup (and summarily dismissed) during the week following his being fired. Player moves which previously drew no public ire from management are recast as damning evidence of systemic problems. Fucking around during spring training video shoots is now seen as portentious "irony" (around the same clubhouse that prided itself on "cowboying up" in 2004). Guys who put up 1.000 OPSes during the last month are crapped on for not leading. Meanwhile, ownership gets two brief, demi-neutral mentions in a 2,000-plus word piece that purports to speak to the concerns of "all levels" of the organization. From whom do you think Hohler's getting his premises? I suppose I'm more annoyed at the Henry-Lucchino-Werner goodbye plan than the article itself. And yeah, it's not as knives-out as it could have been, maybe. Calling it more responsible/restrained at spreading management's propaganda than, say, Shaughnessy would be is the faintest of praise, though. Calling it "workmanlike" would be more charitable; it strains to reach that.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 12 2011 10:19 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

To me the clearest indication of a mgt with an axe to grind is the part about the Crawford deal. Hard to imagine that nugget came from anywhere else than the highest levels, with the purpose of distancing the remaining staff and perhaps, encouraging Crawford to vamoose. This lack of accountability and pathological blame shifting has been epidemic at times with the Mets, I think that quote that was criticized here some time ago seems pretty accurate.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2011 10:31 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I disagree with a lot of this. Their heroic manager and GM are gone, and both are laded with copious, scattershot blame (the likes of which were smeared all over Pedro's and Manny's shadows as they left town). He certainly suggests he has sources that point to these things. He's just reporting, and he makes it clear that the blamers are pointing in many directions. He cites "numerous sources," and Francona's own claim that his influence tends to wane leaders over time. You have to report that. Francona's marital problems and "drug abuse" and caring about his son are raised as possible causes absent backup (and summarily dismissed) during the week following his being fired. Team sources are indeed feeding him that. He gives Francona ample space to respond. And Francona makes clear that he's disappointed in the sources for the suggestion, not the reporter. He gets the last word on the drug thing, too. That's good. Player moves which previously drew no public ire from management are recast as damning evidence of systemic problems. Jenks? Lackey? Crawford? These drew no prior ire? Fucking around during spring training video shoots is now seen as portentious "irony" (around the same clubhouse that prided itself on "cowboying up" in 2004). Guys who put up 1.000 OPSes during the last month are crapped on for not leading. People pointed fingers. Sometimes explicitly. The writer has no responsible choice but to call the subject for a response and print it. Meanwhile, ownership gets two brief, demi-neutral mentions in a 2,000-plus word piece that purports to speak to the concerns of "all levels" of the organization. From whom do you think Hohler's getting his premises? Right at the top we have "owners who approved unrewarding free agent spending and missed some warning signs that their $161 million club was deteriorating." I don't consider that demi-neutral. And the lame-duck status of the manager is certainly at the owner's feet. He says virtually everybody told him there were issues with training dedication. You have to run this. They're grown men and perfectly capable of issuing a denial. The main issue is the drug thing. If the only source on that is an employer, it sure would be some questionable journalism to print what should be protected. But it sounds like many of these things were open secrets and he's just rounding 'em up. I think, when it all goes up against the wall, two things mostly stick with me: (1) those three pitchers, and whether they showed the proper commitment, and (2) the lame-duck manager who didn't have the juice to crack down on them. The pitchers and the ownership have to answer for those things. The last thing that's important to report is that fingers are pointing all over. And that speaks of an organization in disarray, no matter which pointer is most accurate.

metirish Oct 13 2011 06:35 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I guess at some point every manager loses the club house right?, 7/8 years is a long time in management these days.John Henry is now abroad in Liverpool trying to break the current TV deal......and getting zero support from other clubs, this after he admits in an interview that he had no clue who Liverpool FC were , but yeah had heard of Man United. Alex Ferguson talks a lot about keeping the club house, and over the years he has gotten rid of players no matter who they were that were seeing to be a threat to his power....England captains, Ireland captains....Dutch greats...

bmfc1 Oct 13 2011 11:09 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Good stuff here from "Ken Tremendous". If you don't want to read the whole thing, just go to the two footnotes: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/709 ... se-red-sox

metirish Oct 13 2011 12:49 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

WOW, get this , John Henry's first significant appointment as Liverpool FC owner was to hire a "director of football" guy on advice from Billy Beane....Daniel Comolli was previously in the same job at Tottenham, DoF in England is still seen as a new thing, more a continental approach......but Billy Beane advised him? Fenway's significant first move was to appoint Comolli, the former director of football at Tottenham, into a similar position at Anfield, working with Roy Hodgson, the manager, who Fenway would replace with Dalglish in January. Henry confirmed there had been no wider recruitment process for this most plum of jobs; Comolli was appointed following the recommendation of Billy Beane, the former general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, with whom Comolli had struck up a friendship. "Billy became passionate about the Premier League and he became my initial adviser about the football side of Liverpool," Henry recalled. "Billy was adamant – 'There is one person who you have to hire – Damien Comolli. He has the same philosophy Theo [Epstein, the Red Sox general manager], you and I share.'" http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog ... ool-boston

Frayed Knot Oct 14 2011 10:46 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

The finalizing of the Theo to the Cubs move is still short of official due to the issue of compensation. The Cubs are offering dollars to the Sox in order to get Theo out of the final year of his contract. Boston, not surprisingly, prefers compensation in the form of warm bodies, either ML players or prospects.

Edgy MD Oct 14 2011 03:07 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Willie Randoph Mantooth, cut loose as the Orioles third base coach and back on the market. Watch out, Red Sox.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 20 2011 01:24 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Theo will be Cubs uberboss. His GM will be Jed Hoyer, moving over from San Diego. Josh Byrnes taking Hoyer's place with Pods

Edgy MD Oct 20 2011 01:30 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Omar interviewing for the Angels' GM job. I'm not betting on it, but good luck to him.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 20 2011 01:33 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Yeah, I wish him well. I feel bad that he may have become the token guy that's being interviewed to fill diversity requirements.

Frayed Knot Oct 24 2011 11:45 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: Omar interviewing for the Angels' GM job. I'm not betting on it, but good luck to him. Omar NOT getting that job will keep going the near-perfect streak of ex-NYM mgrs & GMs who failed to ever repeat at that same position in MLB. Aside from Jeff Torborg (and even him only briefly) you have to go back to Davey to find a Met skipper who snagged a post-NYM MLB manager's slot (and he's on, what, his fourth now?) - not Bud, not Willie, not Jerry, not Dallas, not Art and, stunningly, no Bobby either. Nor do any of them - will the possible exception of Bobby but even there I'm starting to wonder - look like it'll happen in the future. Nor has any NYM GM ever been re-employed in that same position - a list which includes the likes of Al Harazin, Joe McIlvane, Jim Duquette and Steve Phillips. Meanwhile on the Theo front, the new Cubs' 'Head of Baseball Operations' (or whatever his title will be) has put himself in the unique position of having to trade for himself. The two clubs, to this point anyway, can't agree on the proper compensation for the move that's already been made prompting commissioner Selig to say that if nothing is agreed upon by November 1st then HE will make that call. -- "They have until Nov. 1 -- Theo and Ben [Cherington] and all the parties involved," Selig told a small group of Boston-based reporters Sunday night in Arlington, Texas, where Game 4 of the World Series was played. "Hopefully, they can get things done. I always encourage clubs to try to get things done between themselves ... "They'll either get it done or they won't. If they don't, then I will." The Red Sox and Cubs had originally planned on waiting until compensation was finalized before announcing that Epstein was switching jobs. But with the talks already having dragged on for more than a week, the two teams issued a joint statement late Friday night saying that Epstein had resigned from his post in Boston to take his new position with Chicago. Cherington is expected to be named the next general manager of the Red Sox at a Fenway Park news conference on Tuesday. The Cubs have scheduled an 11 a.m. CT news conference at Wrigley Field to introduce Epstein.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 24 2011 12:03 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Bing Devine and Joe McDonald both got GM jobs with the Cardinals following their Met gigs.

Edgy MD Oct 24 2011 12:08 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Duquette, Valentine, and Phillips each became a broadcaster --- a more stable job, in theory.

Frayed Knot Oct 24 2011 02:00 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Bing Devine and Joe McDonald both got GM jobs with the Cardinals following their Met gigs. Yeah, I meant to put the same "in recent years" disclaimer like on the managers. Obviously Torre and also Bamberger managed after their NYM stints. Duquette, Valentine, and Phillips each became a broadcaster --- a more stable job, in theory. Sure, just probably not their first choice. Plus the fact still remains that discarded NYM generals aren't exactly in high demand after leaving, a condition which in turn implies that maybe the team isn't making such great choices in the first place.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 24 2011 02:32 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Or maybe being a GM or manager in New York is such a high-profile and desirable job that guys hang on to it as long as they can, until they eventually go down in flames. And once that happens, the fall is also high-profile which leaves them undesirable to other teams. If you fail in Houston or Kansas City, three or four years later relatively few people will remember it. But if you fail in New York it gets so much attention that anyone hiring you is going to have to face potentially uncomfortable questions about why they made such a choice. I'm not arguing that the above is true, just throwing it out there as a possibility.

Edgy MD Oct 25 2011 10:02 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Fallout from the Red Sox article is Torre leading MLB in investigating clubhouse drinking during games. Maybe Keith can be a star witness again.

Edgy MD Oct 25 2011 10:56 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Theo Epstein as his introductory press conference. "It truly is an honor in a privilege to join such a special organization. To me, baseball is better with tradition. Baseball is better is with history. Baseball is better with fans who care. Baseball is better in ballparks like this. Baseball is better during the day. And baseball, best of all, is better when you win. And that, ultimately, is why I'm here today." Cub fans must be plotzing.

metirish Oct 25 2011 12:09 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I guess he better win because if not he better get out of town,if he wins everyone there will feel better,if not they will feel bitter

Edgy MD Oct 25 2011 12:17 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Dave Eiland washes ashore with the Royals.

metirish Oct 25 2011 12:19 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: Dave Eiland washes ashore with the Royals. nice welcome here Duty compels me to point out that CC Sabathia's best season as a Yankee came after Eiland left, and that Ivαn Nova, Freddy Garcνa, and Bartolo Colσn -- the surprising keys to the Yankees' great season -- all arrived after Eiland left. Which young pitchers did Eiland assist in their (successful) transitions to the majors? Phil Hughes, until his arm went dead. David Robertson, though he didn't become a star until after Eiland left. Meanwhile, Eiland was the presiding authority during the declines/collapses of Joba Chamberlain, A.J. Burnett, and Javier Vazquez.

Edgy MD Oct 26 2011 09:31 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Sources have Johnson expected to return to Washington next season. We may be in the most competitive of divisions the next few years.

MFS62 Oct 27 2011 08:43 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Do the sources seem credible? Also, Eiland sounds like the Anti-Duncan. Later

Edgy MD Oct 28 2011 01:52 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Jerry F. DiPoto, by all counts, looks like he's getting the Anaheim job.

Edgy MD Oct 31 2011 09:05 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

You know, there seem to be a lot of plum jobs open this offseason.

Frayed Knot Oct 31 2011 10:11 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Brian Cashman quietly re-upped this weekend. I suspected that re-negotiation was going to cause a lot more friction than it did, especially considering last winter's signing of Raphael Soriano right after Cashman specifically said he had no interest.

Frayed Knot Oct 31 2011 10:17 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up ??? YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent Robin Ventura - "multi-year" contract TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 SSigned thru 2012 Same MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager Option picked up for 2012 PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same?? BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 Retired ??? REDS Disty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2013 + ‘13 option Same GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

seawolf17 Nov 02 2011 01:10 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Quade out in Chicago, sez ESPN. Cardinals ask to speak with Ryne Sandberg. (!!)

Ceetar Nov 02 2011 01:18 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Terry Collins tied for 18th longest tenured manager. nearly the into the upper half!

Frayed Knot Nov 02 2011 04:27 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Cardinals have asked to speak to Sandberg - and permission has been granted by his current employer the Phillies - although the Cubs decidedly are not considering their former star as they are setting the bar at former ML managing and/or coaching experience only. Former Milwaukee infielder Dale Sveum is also a name that's being mentioned for the several vacancies. TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up ??? YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent Robin Ventura - "multi-year" contract TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager Option picked up for 2012 PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - signed thru 2012 Fired ?? BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 Retired ??? REDS Dusty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

Frayed Knot Nov 06 2011 06:41 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

- Orioles hire former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette - not his cousin Jim - for the job recently vacated by Andy McPhail. Baltimore under Peter Angelos has had a habit of NOT referring to it as the GM position although this press release seems to be using that specific title. - D'Backs extend the deals for both mgr Gibson and GM Kevin Towers TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up =#FF0000]??? YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent Robin Ventura - "multi-year" contract TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager Option picked up for 2012 PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - since 2010 Signed thru 1012 - Fired =#FF0000]??? BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 Retired =#FF0000]??? REDS Dusty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option New deal thru '14 w/options for '15 & '16 GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

metirish Nov 07 2011 06:35 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 07 2011 07:56 AM

Dan Duquette is an interesting hire right?, I guess these guys are never really gone from the game.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2011 07:52 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

The AngelO's are pretty good at piling up retreads. It's the "piling up," rather then the "retread" part of that phrase that I think is their undoing.

Frayed Knot Nov 09 2011 07:22 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

* Citing "philosophical differences" (most likely they were philosophically upset at finishing 62-100) the Twins fired GM Bill Smith and replaced him - at least temporarily - with former GM Terry Ryan. Ryan, the Minnesota GM from 1994-2007 had been in one of those 'senior advisor' positions with the club. * Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux has taken himself out of consideration for the Boston manager spot although apparently not for the Cards & Cubs jobs.

Vic Sage Nov 14 2011 12:09 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Mike Matheny hired by St.L to replace LaRussa. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/72309 ... ew-manager

Edgy MD Nov 14 2011 05:23 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Let's sign Oquendo while he's still angry.

Frayed Knot Nov 14 2011 08:08 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up =#FF0000]??? YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent Robin Ventura - "multi-year" contract TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager Option picked up for 2012 PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - since 2010 Signed thru 1012 - Fired =#FF0000]??? BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 Retired =#FF0000]Mike Matheny - 2 yrs + 2014 option REDS Dusty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option New deal thru '14 w/options for '15 & '16 GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

metirish Nov 17 2011 12:39 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Dale Sveum to the Cubs on a three year deal

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 17 2011 12:39 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

They only hire managers whose last names you will mispronounce.

metirish Nov 17 2011 01:03 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 17 2011 01:09 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: They only hire managers whose last names you will mispronounce. Yeah really , how does one pronounce Sveum? IIRC I have heard it pronounced Swaying which makes no sense.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 17 2011 01:09 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

I remember when he was a player. As I recall, it was pronounced Swame, rhyming with "game".

Ceetar Nov 17 2011 01:26 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

scape-goat third base coach for the Red Sox back in 2004 wasn't he? I vaguely remember being up there, listening to the endless radio calls about how he sucked at the job.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 17 2011 01:38 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Red Sox flirting with Bobby Vee, twitterers say.

metirish Nov 17 2011 02:53 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Red Sox flirting with Bobby Vee, twitterers say. "@SI_JonHeyman: Boston ownership has talked with valentine (via multiple reports) about managers job. Lucchino has long liked bobby v."

metsmarathon Nov 18 2011 01:55 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

my valentine?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 18 2011 02:02 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

The SoSH people are beside themselves with horror and disgust at this news. It will be nice to see if/how they come around.

metirish Nov 18 2011 02:10 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The SoSH people are beside themselves with horror and disgust at this news. It will be nice to see if/how they come around. I guess they want another docile manager, not someone who will want to do things his way.

Frayed Knot Nov 18 2011 02:28 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

metirish wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The SoSH people are beside themselves with horror and disgust at this news. It will be nice to see if/how they come around. I guess they want another docile manager, not someone who will want to do things his way. I suspect it's more anti-BV than simply wanting a docile manager. Bobby is nothing if not controversial and I find a lot of fans tend to hate him from afar. That a sizable section of fans of the particular team thinking of hiring him are wary at best and horrified at worst isn't too surprising.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 18 2011 02:40 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

They are like Met fans until recently, mad at the owners for running everything (and tattling on the chicken-and-beer parties etc). They believe the next manager will be ownership's choice not the new GM's. Sorta like how we got Howe.

metirish Nov 20 2011 12:48 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

"@SI_JonHeyman: Bobby valentine is expected to meet monday w/ #redsox. as only known new candidate, he looks like possible favorite"

Ashie62 Nov 20 2011 12:58 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

metirish wrote: "@SI_JonHeyman: Bobby valentine is expected to meet monday w/ #redsox. as only known new candidate, he looks like possible favorite" Favorite to Heyman anyway..

Frayed Knot Nov 20 2011 03:24 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Sawx have also interviewed White Sox coach Gene Lamont, Phils' bench coach Pete Mackanin, Toronto coach Torey Lovullo, and Cleveland bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. - as well as the recently hired Dale Sveum. They apparently turned towards BV only after Sveum inked with the Cubs which is what leads to the speculation that they're not all that impressed with the other candidates. Amazing to me how anti-BV the reaction has been. You always expect some of that whenever Bobby's name is brought up, but the stray comments I've read here and there seem not only particularly down on him but also with virtually no positive spins among them. The other common thread in the comments is the belief that Joe Maddon is headed for Red Sox nation just as soon as his contract runs out w/Tampa after 2012. That would partially explain the 'Just say no to V' sentiment (as there's no way you get him only for one year) but also helps to cement the idea that the attitude of RSN is rapidly becoming like that in the Bronx that they detested for so long with their assumptions that successful guys elsewhere are simply going to flock to their city at the first possible opportunity.

seawolf17 Nov 21 2011 08:10 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Ashie62 wrote: "@SI_JonHeyman: Bobby valentine is expected to meet monday w/ #redsox. as only known new candidate, he looks like possible favorite" Favorite to Heyman anyway.. Probably mostly because he knows just saying that will tweak Mets fans.

metirish Nov 21 2011 08:12 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Anyway, be that as it may Heyman said last night that the meeting today is with the GM and his assistant , that's the way it should be of course but not how it was reported to be going down in Boston.

Ceetar Nov 21 2011 08:18 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

seawolf17 wrote: "@SI_JonHeyman: Bobby valentine is expected to meet monday w/ #redsox. as only known new candidate, he looks like possible favorite" Favorite to Heyman anyway.. Probably mostly because he knows just saying that will tweak Mets fans. "possible favorite" Does that even mean anything? Couldn't you say that about any candidate? Hell, they haven't ruled me out. It's possible I could be interviewed and chosen to be the favorite if they start considering blogger of other teams as managerial candidates.

Edgy MD Nov 21 2011 10:14 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Doesn't tweek me. If the Mets can't have him, I can't think of a better employer for him than the Yankees' divisional arch-rivals. Reachable from his Connecticut home, too. I guess this is the exact same attitude I had when Seaver was on the trading block in 1986. I'm checking the time stamp and, yup, I haven't checked this one out since then.

TransMonk Nov 21 2011 10:29 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: Doesn't tweek me. If the Mets can't have him, I can't think of a better employer for him than the Yankees' divisional arch-rivals. I'd be very happy if Bobby went to Boston...as opposed to anywhere in the NL.

metirish Nov 21 2011 10:43 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

TransMonk wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Doesn't tweek me. If the Mets can't have him, I can't think of a better employer for him than the Yankees' divisional arch-rivals. I'd be very happy if Bobby went to Boston...as opposed to anywhere in the NL. me too. I'd be glad to see him back managing , it's what he does best.

Edgy MD Nov 21 2011 11:01 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Although we've never seen his ballroom moves.

Edgy MD Nov 27 2011 10:01 PM split segment

Reports are surfacing that Tal Smith and Ed Wade could possibly go shortly after the sale of the Astros is complete. A little late in the offseason, methinks.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Nov 27 2011 11:42 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: Reports are surfacing that... Ed Wade could possibly go shortly after the sale of the Astros is complete. "Fuuuuuuuuuudge."

Frayed Knot Nov 28 2011 06:53 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Edgy DC wrote: Reports are surfacing that Tal Smith and Ed Wade could possibly go shortly after the sale of the Astros is complete. Confirmed. Asst GM David Gottfried runs things for now (winter meetings are next week) although he is not a candidate for the permanent position. Tal Smith was with the Houston Colt 45s starting in 1960 and has worked (non-continuously) for them for many of the years since including the last 17 consecutive seasons. Noble went as far to say that Bobby could get 3-5 extra wins out of a group of players than other managers could, which could be the difference between making and not making the playoffs. But, but, but Chass insists he actually gets 10 fewer wins out of a team on account of everyone else trying so much harder to beat him. IIRC there was a Noble piece one time where he was asked why he didn't get a quote from Valentine on whatever was that column's subject. His answer was that he didn't bother because he had no confidence that the manager's answer was going to be truthful. Certainly harsh - even if quite possibly accurate - but at least, as mentioned above, Marty didn't seem to let that stuff get in the way of the nuts and bolts of his writing.

Frayed Knot Jan 30 2012 03:11 PM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

Ron Washington gets a bump from the Rangers. Nice to see that making the WS twice in a row has its rewards. Also find it interesting that the details of Ventura's contract with the ChiSox still haven't been made public. At least that's how it's still being listed over at Cot's Contracts - they list it only as a "multi-year" deal with no specifics - and that place usually seems to have all the info as is up to date. Cot's, btw, looks like it's now under the 'Baseball Prospectus' umbrella. TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up Bobby Valentine - 2 year deal YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent Robin Ventura - "multi-year" contract TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Extended thru 2014 MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager Option picked up for 2012 PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - since 2010 Signed thru 1012 - Fired Dale Sveum - 3 year deal thru 2014 BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 Retired Mike Matheny - 2 yrs + 2014 option REDS Dusty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option New deal thru '14 w/options for '15 & '16 GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same

Frayed Knot Feb 15 2012 07:53 AM Re: GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

One of the things Red Sox Nation didn't like as the talk of hiring Bobby V started to swirl this past off-season was that so many of them KNEW going into the managerial search that whoever they hired was simply going to be an interim choice until the inevitable Joe Maddon signing which was slated to happen just as soon as he became free at the end of 2012. Yeah, but as the red-highlighted news below indicates, that's not going to happen is it? TEAM 2011 Mgr STATUS 2012 Mgr RED SOX Terry Francona - since 2004 Option not picked up Bobby Valentine - 2 year deal YANX Joe Girardi - since 2008 Signed thru 2013 Same ORIOLES Buck Showalter - since 2010 Signed thru 2013 Same RAYS Joe Maddon - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Signed to extension thru 2015 BLUE JAYS John Farrell - Hired Oct ‘10 Signed thru 2013 Same TIGERS Jim Leyland - Since 2006 Signed thru 2012 Same WHITE SOX Ozzie Guillen - since 2004 Contract terminated via mutual consent Robin Ventura - "multi-year" contract TWINS Ron Gardenhire - Since 2002 Signed thru 2013 Same ROYALS Ned Yost - Since May ‘10 Signed thru 2012 Same INDIANS Manny Acta - Since 2010 Signed thru 2012 + 2013 option Same RANGERS Ron Washington - Since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Extended thru 2014 MARINERS Eric Wedge - first season Signed thru 2013 Same A’s Bob Melvin - hired June ‘11 Signed thru 2014 Same ANGELS Mike Scioscia - since 2000 Signed thru 2018 Same METS Terry Collins - first season Option picked up thru 2013 Same BRAVES Fredi Gonzalez - first season Signed thru 2013 Same MARLINS Jack McKeon - since 6/20/11 Not re-hired for 2012 Ozzie Guillen - signed thru 2015 NATIONALS Davey Johnson - took over 6/26/11 Signed w/org but not as manager Option picked up for 2012 PHILLIES Charlie Manual - since 2005 Signed thru 2013 Same CUBS Mike Quadde - since 2010 Signed thru 1012 - Fired Dale Sveum - 3 year deal thru 2014 BREWERS Ron Roenicke - first season Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option Same PIRATES Clint Hurdle - first season Signed thru 2013 Same CARDINALS Tony LaRussa - since 1996 Retired Mike Matheny - 2 yrs + 2014 option REDS Dusty Baker - since 2008 Signed thru 2012 Same ASTROS Brad Mills - since 2010 Signed thru 2012 w/option for ‘13 Same DODGERS Don Mattingly - first season Signed thru 2013 Same DIAMONDBACKS Kirk Gibson - hired Aug ‘10 Signed thru 2012 + ‘13 option New deal thru '14 w/options for '15 & '16 GIANTS Bruce Bochy - since 2007 Signed thru 2012 Same PADRES Bud Black - since 2007 Signed thru 2013 + options for ‘14 & ‘15 Same ROCKIES Jim Tracy - since May ‘09 Signed thru 2013 Same