DiSarcina to Mets as bench coach.
I asked that question upthread, probably others have too, and nobody’s responded so far.A former manager needs a job. Used to be a pitching coach iirc. Naaahhh. Probably wouldn't work out.
Anyways, have they spoken to Righetti or asked permission to? I can't see what it would hurt to ask. Wouldn't he be the best option now?
While you're on a roll, another name: Rich Dubee (former Tigers, Phillies and Marlins coach)Going through some old articles about pitching coach searches this fall. Here are names that came up:
Indians: Steve Karsay (Clippers Coach)
Indians: Scott Atchison (Former Red Sox...currently hired as bullpen coach)
Twins: Dan Warthen (ruined many a staff, apparently)
Twins: Derek Lilliquist (Cardinals)
Twins: Jeremy Hefner (Twins video scout)
Cardinals: Brian Eversgerd (AAA)
Cardinals: Cal Eldred (Special Asst)
Dodgers: Rick Honeycutt (long shot)
Giants: Frank Viola (Mets AAA)
Giants: Darryl Scott (Rockies)
Giants: Dave Burba
Giants: Darren Balsley (Padres...and best name ever)
Phillies: Rick Kranitz (Asst Coach)
...just thought I'd research some other names being thrown around in various cities.
No idea. But it couldnt hurt. this Dodgers team had a great success with doubles and homeruns, at a more friendly pitcher's park. Plus, he preaches patience at the plate.Hyers is an intriguing choice. No idea how much of a hand he had in the renaissance in Justin Turner's power game (which is credited to focusing on improving his launch angle) or the rest of the Dodgers' offensive success, but if he can bring that magic to Fenway, there might not be as much need to spend big to add power to the lineup.
Definitely in line with current managerial thinking, see: Tito, Hinch, Madden, Roberts
“@ByChrisMason: Craig Kimbrel could be used differently in 2018. Cora says he believes there are times when your best pitcher needs to get outs before 9th.”
Kimbrel was in fact used that way early in the season, before later being switched to the 9th only, apparently at his request, IIRC
“@ByChrisMason: Craig Kimbrel could be used differently in 2018. Cora says he believes there are times when your best pitcher needs to get outs before 9th.”
In line with playoff usage, maybe. But how often was Cody Allen, Ken Giles, Wade Davis, or Kenley Jansen used in pre-9th inning situations?Definitely in line with current managerial thinking, see: Tito, Hinch, Madden, Roberts
Kimbrel was used this way in 2017 and told Farrell it shouldn't happen. Wonder if that changes.
“@ByChrisMason: Craig Kimbrel could be used differently in 2018. Cora says he believes there are times when your best pitcher needs to get outs before 9th.”
Pretty sure it was multiple innings CK objected to, not earlier innings.
What stuff exactly?This stuff just doesn’t feel genuine anymore. Just rinse and repeat. So bored with the act.
Yes! This is EXACTLY what many of us have been talking about, and the fact that he's talking about this already, I have to think that this is a concern that DD had in the first place, and has likely had conversations with Cora specifically about this. This is exactly what I want from management. I think Cora is going to be a really nice boon for this team. Imagine all the talent on this team, but with situational awareness to boot.I like the sound of Cora's take on baserunning aggressiveness:
"Cora also addressed how analytics can affect base running.
“We’re going to take advantage of that,” he said. “I want them to take advantage of situations, understand base running is important but to understand the value of the outs. When can you be aggressive? When do you have to let the guy at the plate do damage? We’re going to do that."
Seems like a real change compared to this:
"I think we also recognize that the cardinal rule is don't ever make the first or third out at third base. But I will say this: the one thing that we have continued to try to do and it's worked in our favor -- it's also been at times a detriment -- is the outs recorded on base paths. We have instilled an aggressive style, that's part of who we are as a team, so I'm not going to fault Pedey for making an in-game decision, that didn't quite work out."
From that same article: "The Red Sox led the majors in outs at home plate (29) and outs at third base (19). They were second for outs at second base (25)."
And this:
"While we recognize there are outs -- last night we ran into three of them -- we always try to instill pushing the envelope, being the aggressor," Farrell said. "There comes a price with that. But I think there's something to be said for creating opportunities that might not be as obvious as the out itself."
Cora is already talking about situations and understanding the value of outs, which was missing from Farrell's constant talk of always being aggressive last year.
Aggressive baserunning is great, as long as the situation is factored in. Cora is already talking about being aggressive at the right time, instead of aggressive all the time, which is an important distinction that seemed to be missing from last year's Red Sox on the bases.
Yes. A million times yes to this.Aggressive baserunning is great, as long as the situation is factored in. Cora is already talking about being aggressive at the right time, instead of aggressive all the time, which is an important distinction that seemed to be missing from last year's Red Sox on the bases.
HmmmI bet we will ink a pitching coach by Thursday
Wow. Is it common for a pitching coach to never have pitched? He has worked his way up quite nicely from one time bullpen catcher and he's a local boy. I'll be rooting for him.
Yeah. I began to think of it being more realistic when he continued to survive regime changes, but its still quite the move up the organizational ladder.Like most of you, I’ve been going to Red Sox games for most of my life. I even remember LeVangie as the bullpen catcher in the mid-90s, warming up the likes of Jeff Suppan and Kerry Lacy. Of those three, I don’t think you could’ve ever convinced me that it’d be LeVangie guiding Red Sox pitchers 20 years later.
Yep. Great call all around. Really excited for Cora, and looking forward to the GM moves that will refresh the lineup.Yes! This is EXACTLY what many of us have been talking about, and the fact that he's talking about this already, I have to think that this is a concern that DD had in the first place, and has likely had conversations with Cora specifically about this. This is exactly what I want from management. I think Cora is going to be a really nice boon for this team. Imagine all the talent on this team, but with situational awareness to boot.
They need a Porcello/E-rod whisperer. A good bullpen is a plus. The Sox could do fine with a slightly-worse Sale, a full season of Price, and a repeat from Pom, plus two. They'd do better with a slight downtick for the bullpen, the main three, and resurgent seasons from Porcello and E-Rod.Bullpen was a strength last year, so LeVangie must have been doing something right. That said, the Red Sox have solved one problem, but created another -- they need a bullpen coach now.
Maybe Ziegler is using the word "incredible" literally?Hmmm
Also. Someone likes the hire
I'm ignorant as to what a bullpen coach's job is other than answering the phone and making sure that the right guy(s) warms up. Is he a secondary pitching coach, as LeVangie's promotion would indicate or is the job less than that and LeVangie is a unique case?Bullpen was a strength last year, so LeVangie must have been doing something right. That said, the Red Sox have solved one problem, but created another -- they need a bullpen coach now.
During the Giants run, and before, maybe, Mike Krukow always gave a lot of credit to Mark Gardner, Giants bullpen coach, for working with pitchers down there. Of course, Dave Righetti got most of the National attention. Krukow’s an old pitcher and I always assumed he knew what he was talking about. I wonder where Gardner is going now.I'm ignorant as to what a bullpen coach's job is other than answering the phone and making sure that the right guy(s) warms up. Is he a secondary pitching coach, as LeVangie's promotion would indicate or is the job less than that and LeVangie is a unique case?
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/qkybpd/the-rise-of-the-bullpen-has-led-to-the-rise-of-the-bullpen-catcherI'm ignorant as to what a bullpen coach's job is other than answering the phone and making sure that the right guy(s) warms up. Is he a secondary pitching coach, as LeVangie's promotion would indicate or is the job less than that and LeVangie is a unique case?
I would think saying a bullpen coach's job is to answer the phone would be like saying a CPA's job is to send emails. Answering the phone or sending an email is simply an administrative task that accounts for about 1% of their job description.I'm ignorant as to what a bullpen coach's job is other than answering the phone and making sure that the right guy(s) warms up. Is he a secondary pitching coach, as LeVangie's promotion would indicate or is the job less than that and LeVangie is a unique case?