2013-14 Manager Shuffle

[Frayed Knot]

Now that Terry has signed his extension, the current landscape shows only the Nationals, Cubs, and Mariners looking for pilots although that could certainly change as others are coming up on the end of deals and/or have options that need to be picked up.

- The Cubs, yesterday, fired Dale Sveum with a year left on his deal, a move thought by some to clear the way for a run at Illinois native/Northwestern alum and soon-to-be FA Joe Girardi. Girardi has talked about wanting to solidify his status sooner rather than later.

- Eric Wedge, citing various unspecified differences with the front office, chose to walk away rather than even talk about a new deal. Not that the front office had offered him one but he claims that he was uninterested even if they had.

- and Davey Johnson had agreed prior to the season starting, that 2013 would be his final one for the Nationals. Or maybe he didn't and the expiration date was forced on him; Davey seems to alternate between saying this was his idea and implying that it wasn't.

- Other semi-recent updates include Buck Showalter being extended through 2018 in Baltimore, Ron Gardenhire getting a two-year extension from the Twins, and Ryne Sandberg having the interim tag removed in Philly

TEAM	MANAGER	SIGNED THRU	STATUS
METS	Terry Collins	2013	New two-year deal thru 2015 + option
BRAVES	Fredi Gonzalez	2013	Has 2014 Option
PHILLIES	Ryne Sandberg	Interim	Given permanent job thru 2016
NATIONALS	Davey Johnson	2013	Will not return
MARLINS	Mike Redmond	2015
CARDINALS	Mike Matheny	2013	Has option for 2014
PIRATES	Clint Hurdle	2014
CUBS	Dale Sveum	2014	Fired - Sept '13
REDS	Dusty Baker	2014
BREWERS	Ron Roenicke	2014
DODGERS	Don Mattingly	2013	Has option for 2014
GIANTS	Bruce Bochy	2016
PADRES	Bud Black	2013	Has options for 2014 & 15
DBACKS	Kirk Gibson	2014
ROCKIES	Walt Weiss	2013
RED SOX	John Farrell	2016
YANKEES	Joe Girardi	2013
ORIOLES	Buck Showalter	2018
BLUE JAYS	John Gibbons	2014
RAYS	Joe Maddon	2015
TIGERS	Jim Leyland	2013
INDIANS	Terry Francona	2016
ROYALS	Ned Yost	2013
TWINS	Ron Gardenhire	2013	Extended thru 2015
WHITE SOX	Robin Ventura	2014
ANGELS	Mike Scioscia	2018
RANGERS	Ron Washington	2014
MARINERS	Eric Wedge	2013	Will not return
ASTROS	Bo Porter	2013
ATHLETICS	Bob Melvin	2016

Edited October 1, 2013 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Davey really seemed to have lost his edge. Probably a healthier human being, but a less competitive manager. That, along with Jeffrey Maier, might have cost him the Hall of Fame.

It seems to me the Dave we knew from the Mets, if he gave in on that plan to limit Strasburg's innings last year, would have had the foresight to shut him down earlier and bring him back with a week and a half to go in the season, and have him available for the playoffs.

Reports this morning quote Jon Daniels has said there is "not a question" of bringing Ron Washington back. You'd figure he'd let Wash dangle a bit. A lot of folks questioning how he came to the decision to use Nelson Cruz at DH in the play-in game, appearing in his first game after serving his 50-game suspension.

[seawolf17]

I didn't see anyone question using Cruz; I think you had to use him. His career numbers against Price were excellent, and the rest of that lineup doesn't exactly scare you.

[Frayed Knot]

The Cruz question comes up as a contrast to the Giants choosing NOT to re-employ Melky Cabrera when his suspension ran out.
The Giants, of course, won the WS without him.

The Indians started using Jhonny Peralta about a week ago (although not usually at SS) and presumably will do so in however long their playoff run lasts.

[Edgy MD]

seawolf17 wrote: I didn't see anyone question using Cruz; I think you had to use him. His career numbers against Price were excellent, and the rest of that lineup doesn't exactly scare you.

I'm sorry. Folks are questioning the deployment of Ted Cruz. My mistake.

[Frayed Knot]

New (non-recycled) names likely to be mentioned for vacant jobs:
- Matt Williams -- currently coaching in Arizona
- Brad Ausmus -- former catcher, mostly w/Houston. Dartmouth boy.
- Jason Giambi -- Yes, really. Colorado interviewed him before hiring Walt Weiss a year ago and his current manager Terry Francona can't stop saying enough good things about him. Won't necessarily be this winter, but some time in the future is looking increasingly likely.
- Randy Knorr -- Bench coach and the likely choice for the Nats if they decide to stay in house.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: The Cruz question comes up as a contrast to the Giants choosing NOT to re-employ Melky Cabrera when his suspension ran out. The Giants, of course, won the WS without him. The Indians started using Jhonny Peralta about a week ago (although not usually at SS) and presumably will do so in however long their playoff run lasts.

That was the Tigers. And not only did they play him, they played him in left field, a position he'd never played before even in the minors until I guess a week or two ago.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, I meant Tigers.
I sometimes conflate Jhonny Peralta with Asdrubal Cabrera and I swap their team assignments.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

I think Girardi's bluffing. No one goes from the MFYs to the Cubs. Even with Theo there.

[Frayed Knot]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I think Girardi's bluffing. No one goes from the MFYs to the Cubs. Even with Theo there.

Well I don't think Girardi himself has said anything even as speculation around Girardi and a potential (and now more than that) Cubs opening has been swirling among the chattering class for months now.

But the Chicago area is his home turf and, if one believes that Theo does have the golden touch and/or that the law of averages has got to shine on Chicago's north side at some point, Girardi has to know that the manager that gets them there has a guaranteed statue next to Harry Carey the very next week.
Besides, who's to say that he doesn't see the Yanx as a sinking ship right now being run by a couple of silver spoon dunces who not only don't have their father's flair but also don't operate in an era where they can simply spend away their weaknesses.

Edited October 1, 2013 by Guest

[Centerfield]

The annual Jim Tracy Thread.

Speaking of Jim, didn't realize he was out as the Rockies' manager. Guess he is golfing these days.

[Guest vtmet]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I think Girardi's bluffing. No one goes from the MFYs to the Cubs. Even with Theo there.

it would be good to see however...I could care less about Girardi and the Cubs, but a good slap in the Yankees face would be nice to see...

[Guest vtmet]

I would imagine that Fredi Gonzalez and Mike Matheny are pretty safe in terms of getting new deals from the Braves/Cards...

[G-Fafif]

Opening in Cincy where Baker's been fried. Or Dusty's been wiped away. Either way, he gone.

[MFS62]

G-Fafif wrote: Opening in Cincy where Baker's been fried. Or Dusty's been wiped away. Either way, he gone.

I'm going to miss all those disgusting closeup shots of Dusty chewing and spitting sunflower seeds in the dugout.

Later

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

G-Fafif wrote: Opening in Cincy where Baker's been fried. Or Dusty's been wiped away. Either way, he gone.

Nothin' lasts forever but the earth and sky.

[Vic Sage]

He's the most successful crappy manager since Joe Torre.

[Frayed Knot]

Reds have made the playoffs three out of the last four seasons but have never advanced.
Dusty got a two-year extension following last year's debacle when the Reds blew a 2-0 in games lead to SF.
You wonder how much this season's WC loss to Pitt played into things. It's one thing to stick too long with a pitcher. Hurdle did so yesterday with Burnett but at least that's just one game in a series. Dusty sitting back while Cueto was melting down in a one-and-done situation is another story.


Reports out of Chicago say that the Nats are looking to talk to Girardi, just one day after his discussions with the Yanx.

TEAM	MANAGER	SIGNED THRU	STATUS
METS	Terry Collins	2013	New two-year deal thru 2015 + option
BRAVES	Fredi Gonzalez	2013	Has 2014 Option
PHILLIES	Ryne Sandberg	Interim	Given permanent job thru 2016
NATIONALS	Davey Johnson	2013	Will not return
MARLINS	Mike Redmond	2015
CARDINALS	Mike Matheny	2013	Has option for 2014
PIRATES	Clint Hurdle	2014
CUBS	Dale Sveum	2014	Fired - Sept '13
REDS	Dusty Baker	2014	Fired one year into a two-year extension
BREWERS	Ron Roenicke	2014
DODGERS	Don Mattingly	2013	Has option for 2014
GIANTS	Bruce Bochy	2016
PADRES	Bud Black	2013	Has options for 2014 & 15
DBACKS	Kirk Gibson	2014
ROCKIES	Walt Weiss	2013
RED SOX	John Farrell	2016
YANKEES	Joe Girardi	2013
ORIOLES	Buck Showalter	2018
BLUE JAYS	John Gibbons	2014
RAYS	Joe Maddon	2015
TIGERS	Jim Leyland	2013
INDIANS	Terry Francona	2016
ROYALS	Ned Yost	2013
TWINS	Ron Gardenhire	2013	Extended thru 2015
WHITE SOX	Robin Ventura	2014
ANGELS	Mike Scioscia	2018
RANGERS	Ron Washington	2014
MARINERS	Eric Wedge	2013	Will not return
ASTROS	Bo Porter	2013
ATHLETICS	Bob Melvin	2016

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Vic Sage wrote: He's the most successful crappy manager since Joe Torre.

lolololol

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

What are the MFYs thinking? Cashman made some remark to the effect of, "We'll make sure we give Joe some $$" but he didn't sound all that enthused, and Joe doesn't seem all that jazzed about staying, at least not as excited as Washington appears to be about hiring him.

So where do the MFYs go? Do they try and get Mattingly from LA?

They are hard to figure out all of a sudden.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: They are hard to figure out all of a sudden.

As long as they do something big, stupid, and expensive, I won't complain.

[Edgy MD]

How about if they get Reyes?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

To manage?

[Zvon]

MFS62 wrote: G-Fafif wrote: Opening in Cincy where Baker's been fried. Or Dusty's been wiped away. Either way, he gone. I'm going to miss all those disgusting closeup shots of Dusty chewing and spitting sunflower seeds in the dugout. Later

Whats the deal with Dusty? He had a year left on that extension so they will be paying him next season regardless. Why do the Reds wanna get rid of him so bad?

[Edgy MD]

Cincy limped home this season, losing the last five, before falling to the Pirates on the road in the play-in game.

My guess is that when they signed Votto to his big contract, they expected to pay for it with playoff money, and they haven't gotten quite as much as they bargained for. Familiar story. Was for Omar Minaya, anyhow.

Maybe they'll make a run at Charlie Manuel.

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Cincy limped home this season, losing the last five, before falling to the Pirates on the road in the play-in game. My guess is that when they signed Votto to his big contract, they expected to pay for it with playoff money, and they haven't gotten quite as much as they bargained for. Familiar story. Was for Omar Minaya, anyhow. Maybe they'll make a run at Charlie Manuel.

But look at his managerial record. Or maybe I should before I tell you to. I mean, he's a good manager. They are gonna pay him anyway. They must really dislike him.

I hope ol' Charlies back in the game ASAP. Game needs more guys like Charlie.

[Edgy MD]

He's certainly helmed successful teams. But whether that makes him a good manager is debatable.

One pennant and no championships in 20 seasons --- that's the column folks tend to look at after a few years (or six) with the guy.

[Zvon]

An article about Dusty in one of the NY rags today. Yep, Dusty butted heads with managment. Funny thing is it looks like the last two things they were at odds about were smart moves by Dusty. Chapman being a closer (Dusty wanted that, they didn't-Chap had a perfect year)and Dusty wanted speed demon Hamilton up on the team and they didn't. Hamilton played a big part in a few stretch wins.

From just last week:

October 2, 2013 6:00 pm Dusty Baker expected to return to Reds in 2014 by Jack Moore Reds manager Dusty Baker is expected to remain with the squad next season, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Baker is signed through 2014. General manager Walt Jocketty said he didn't think Baker's status was in question, so unless owner Bob Castellini gets the itch, don't expect Baker to go anywhere anytime soon.

Castellini got the itch alright.

Something must have gone down in the interim.

Baker managed the Reds to the playoffs three times, including division championships in 2010 and 2012 to go with the 2013 Wild Card. He finished at 509-463 (.524) with the Reds and 0-3 in postseason series.

Or maybe the postseason business. But come on, somethings going on here that don't meet the eye. Not that I care.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Anonymous sources that just may rhyme with "Musty Taker's Ragent" say that it was about Baker standing up for one of his coaches, then sitting back down on a sword for the guy.

[metirish]

Interesting line from the article

Rare has someone been criticized so much for guiding an imperfect team to a 90-win season, but Baker became a target. He was a target of some fans, of many sabremetricians. And ultimately, he was a target of Jocketty.

of many sabermetricians , not sure if I have ever seen that mentioned before in an article like that, who are these sabremetricians?