GM - Managerial Changes/ Speculation

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

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]

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]

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]

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/7095696/the-collapse-red-sox

[metirish]

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/2011/oct/13/john-w-henry-liverpool-boston

[Frayed Knot]

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]

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

Watch out, Red Sox.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

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]

Omar interviewing for the Angels' GM job.

I'm not betting on it, but good luck to him.

[Benjamin Grimm]

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]

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.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

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

[Edgy MD]

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

[Frayed Knot]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Dave Eiland washes ashore with the Royals.

[metirish]

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 Iv�n Nova, Freddy Garc�a, and Bartolo Col�n -- 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]

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

[MFS62]

Do the sources seem credible?

Also, Eiland sounds like the Anti-Duncan.

Later

[Edgy MD]

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

[Edgy MD]

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

[Frayed Knot]

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]

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]

Quade out in Chicago, sez ESPN.

Cardinals ask to speak with Ryne Sandberg. (!!)

[Ceetar]

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

[Frayed Knot]

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]

- 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