Who's Next

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy MD wrote: I think, whatever he said, the fact that Davis hit like a superhero while in the PCL has got to be worth something. And coming back to the bigs, if nothing else, without his absolutely crippling penchant for chasing junk at his ankles, that was good too. Yes but..perhaps that was Lopez's influence? I know managers generally get credit/blame for everything, but the organization would probably have a better idea on who/what was responsible. If I recall, a lot of it was to stop having 17 people telling Ike was he needed to do so there's every chance that they sent him to Vegas with the instruction to only talk hitting with one specific person (which could've been Wally) and he's the one getting the credit internally.

I don't know who get's credit or blame --- ultimately the player himself gets the lion's share. But as Lopez is the manager of Binghamton, he'd be about 47th on my list of who to credit. Seriously.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I think the fact that Ike hit like a maniac in the PCL may just mean that hitting in the PCL generally goes a lot easier than it does in the minors.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

I want someone to venture out and name all their thread titles after songs by Zappa or The Fugs.

[ashie62]

Mike Scioscia

[bmfc1]

Mike Scioscia, but I'd be thrilled with anybody except the return of Shorty McBunty. The GM said that he wanted the Mets to finish strong--I hope he watched the week. I know that the Mets are shorthanded without Wright but that's no excuse for getting one hit and three hit within three games. We always hear "the Mets play hard for Terry" but there has been no evidence of this of late. It's time for him to go.

[Frayed Knot]

For folks who hate bunting, I don't think Scioscia is your guy. In fact, I know he's not.
Then there's the problem of him being signed through 2017. So unless the Angels decide to dump him with four years remaining on his deal ...

[bmfc1]

He bunts with that lineup? Ugh. Thanks for the information. Someone's getting fired in Anaheim--either Scoscia or DiPoto.

[Frayed Knot]

All I know is that whenever I see the Angels play it seems to me that they're constantly giving away outs on the bases (bunts, sacs, overly-aggressive base-running, etc.) and this isn't just a recent thing.
Obviously Scioscia has a lot of admirers but I get the feeling he's one of those guys where the more we'd see of him the less we'd think of him.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I don't think Scioscia is realistic for us, and way too 1970s NLish. I was gonna write in Joe Maddon, who I want to fire from Tampa as a result of that team's constipation when it should have been easy to dump shovelfuls of dirt on the MFYs grave; but now you guys have me excited for Ron Gardenhire.

[Edgy MD]

If Rhon Wright has anything to say about it, it'll be McEwing.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Chris Rock

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I would swallow a quart of bath salts and murder a Floridian to get Joe Maddon here.

Oh, hell, twist my arm-- I'll do it for free. But I'd still like to have Maddon here.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Sandy and Terry reportedly set to have powwow this week in Cincy. Presumed that an extension will be under discussion but what, for the purposes of this argument, would you anticipate happening if Terry turns heel and says, "Thanks for the offer, but I'm outta here!"

Or if Terry suffers a health problem or something and just can't answer the bell next year.

Then who's your manager? At least 13 of you hafta vote.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If it's not Terry (and I think it will be) then my backup guess is Wally.

[HahnSolo]

If it's a health thing and they need to replace Terry, I think they'd go with Geren.

But most likely it'll be Terry. And we'll be running a similar poll next year.

[ashie62]

It kinda sux the way Terry is being strung along....Either hire or fire....

Backman still scares me from an on field base throwing umpire spitting tantrum point of view....

[Edgy MD]

He's not being strung along. Plenty of guys (including dudes like Joe Torre!) take the team home without a contract. And nothing about Terry's performance suggests he's deserving of something more.

And under any circumstances, they're talking to him this week, so we'll know soon enough. I haven't thought who would remain as the manager in waiting if he doesn't complete his term, but I think the buzz is strong that Wally doesn't stick around waiting for too much longer. He's sure to get at leat an interview with Washington. I guess Pedro Lopez gets his AAA job and joins Geren and Teufel as hopefuls. Maybe Geren bolts too.

Terry seems healthy enough to me, though. I'm certainly curious about McEwing, and who knows if anybody is going to survive the White Sox' disastrous season.

[Edgy MD]

And just like that, Adam of the Rubin reports that Backman is expected back, man.

Backman likely to be invited back to Vegas September, 23, 2013 SEP 23 6:00 PM ET By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com Adam Rubin Sandy Alderson expressed optimism Triple-A manager Wally Backman will be invited to return to the helm of the Pacific Coast League club in 2014. Alderson added that Backman would be considered if a spot on the major league staff became vacant. Backman managed the 51s to an 81-63 record and division title this past season. Las Vegas was ousted by Salt Lake in the first round of the PCL playoffs.

So much for reading anything into Backs not joining the staff in September.

[Ceetar]

And just like that, Adam of the Rubin reports that Backman is expected back, man. Backman likely to be invited back to Vegas September, 23, 2013 SEP 23 6:00 PM ET By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com Adam Rubin Sandy Alderson expressed optimism Triple-A manager Wally Backman will be invited to return to the helm of the Pacific Coast League club in 2014. Alderson added that Backman would be considered if a spot on the major league staff became vacant. Backman managed the 51s to an 81-63 record and division title this past season. Las Vegas was ousted by Salt Lake in the first round of the PCL playoffs. So much for reading anything into Backs not joining the staff in September.

well, you can still read into it if you like. Alderson saying "We still want to keep Backman around" is pretty much the least he can say. And the wording, if that's Alderson's, about 'major league staff' is the interesting part. That seems like the carrot to keep Wally happy about 'upward mobility'. Or, it could be Sandy hinting that he's the successor should things not work out with Collins. Or hell, it could be a hint that they're not happy with Geren.

[metirish]

Bob Melvin in retrospect......

I remember Acta being hot property....

[Edgy MD]

And just like that, Adam of the Rubin reports that Backman is expected back, man. Backman likely to be invited back to Vegas September, 23, 2013 SEP 23 6:00 PM ET By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com Adam Rubin Sandy Alderson expressed optimism Triple-A manager Wally Backman will be invited to return to the helm of the Pacific Coast League club in 2014. Alderson added that Backman would be considered if a spot on the major league staff became vacant. Backman managed the 51s to an 81-63 record and division title this past season. Las Vegas was ousted by Salt Lake in the first round of the PCL playoffs. So much for reading anything into Backs not joining the staff in September. well, you can still read into it if you like. Alderson saying "We still want to keep Backman around" is pretty much the least he can say. And the wording, if that's Alderson's, about 'major league staff' is the interesting part. That seems like the carrot to keep Wally happy about 'upward mobility'. Or, it could be Sandy hinting that he's the successor should things not work out with Collins. Or hell, it could be a hint that they're not happy with Geren.

But it's not the least he can say. He said they expect to keep him around and are optimistic that he'll return. In saying that he's an option for the big league staff, whether or not there's an opening, does in fact, provide very strong evidence against concluding, based on his not joining the staff for September, that he's not expected to return, which is the notion to which I was referring.

[Zvon]

Backman needs a little seasoning. Lil bit. And this is a test. If he threatens to leave or actually leaves as a result I wouldn't want him at the helm in the future anyway. If he can stay the course he will be a Met manager someday. He may be fortunate enough to be given a contending team when he does take over. I don't think I'd really want to see him managing these Mets. For his own sake as well as ours.

[ashie62]

Edgy MD wrote: He's not being strung along. Plenty of guys (including dudes like Joe Torre!) take the team home without a contract. And nothing about Terry's performance suggests he's deserving of something more. And under any circumstances, they're talking to him this week, so we'll know soon enough. I haven't thought who would remain as the manager in waiting if he doesn't complete his term, but I think the buzz is strong that Wally doesn't stick around waiting for too much longer. He's sure to get at leat an interview with Washington. I guess Pedro Lopez gets his AAA job and joins Geren and Teufel as hopefuls. Maybe Geren bolts too. Terry seems healthy enough to me, though. I'm certainly curious about McEwing, and who knows if anybody is going to survive the White Sox' disastrous season.

Since they said about three weeks ago he would be back..Id call it stringing him along

[Edgy MD]

I don't recall them saying any such thing. If they had, this wouldn't be an issue.