Farrell's new bench coach is...
- Thread starter rembrat
- Start date
I could see Butter getting promoted and Ruben shifting over to 3B. The improved baseball running was largely attributed to Ruben so it would make sense. When Tito lost Mills (2004 - 2009) they promoted Hale to the bench.Has to be Ruben, right? Promote from within, I say.
The residue of DBacks hiring Torey Lovullo as MGR is that Phil Nevin could be headed to SF as coach & Alex Cora could be next Bos Bench CCHJim Bowden @JimBowden_ESPN 13m 13 minutes ago
I like Butter. Watching him with players in an instructional mode really impressed me with his demeanor and knowledge. Cant help but think it would certainly translate well as a bench coach.
I've been hoping Cora would get the managerial job for two years now. If that's not gonna happen, I'd love to see him somehow involved in Farrell's staff.
Hey now. If Farrell developed a misplaced sense of confidence in rembrat, he'd run him out there day after day, even after his performance started to decline. No one deserves that. Least of all Butter or Cora.
I love Alex Cora, and he'd be my choice for manager, but I would settle for him as bench coach. I'd also be okay with Butterfield taking that job, Amaro moving to 3B, and Kevin Boles coming up to coach 1B. But the most important thing, I think, is that it be somebody Farrell trusts enough such that they can talk him out of dumb in-game decisions.
He;s been a GM in the Puerto Rico winter league the last few years and has been getting rave reviews for his work.
I mentioned how Alex Cora would be a great pick for bench coach a few days ago in the thread about Varitek's contract being extended. I've been wanting him in our dugout for a few years and if we're to hire a bench coach then why not hire outside to get an additional piece of coaching talent for now and the future. He would be a great influence to our young guys and he's a very smart baseball man. Has been managing winter league for a couple years now.
Butter is amazing. We all know that, but he's been Farrell's 3rd base coach in Toronto and Boston. I don't think there's a difference in the amount of influence he would have on team decisions whether he was 3rd base or bench. He's probably the most respected coach on the team regardless of assignment.
Let's get some new talent in here and Cora in my opinion is the best option.
Based on what background of Tek's?
And do we think he wants that full time of a job?
I would also like to see Cora come back to the organization, as everything I've heard suggests he has a great baseball mind (not to mention the family pedigree) and would probably succeed at the major league level. He was here while Farrell was pitching coach, so they presumably have a relationship. Does DD have any background with him?
I think the fascinating question for this vacancy comes back to how invested Henry and DD are in Farrell as manager. If they're serious about keeping him longer-term, they should let him choose his bench coach (Butter, Ruben, Pedey for player/bench coach). I think that's a manager's right, and they should let him do it if they're willing to keep him.
On the other hand, if DD is just keeping the seat warm for another option (Ausmus, perhaps?), then they'll hire his guy. I wouldn't have a problem if that's Varitek, Cora or any of the other good "baseball minds" that we've seen through the years that have made us say, "I think he'd be a great manager."
Based mostly on his background as the captain and as a member of the front office staff. Heck, Mike Matheny was handed the managerial reigns of the Cardinals with just about the same amount of post-career experience. I mean, people are talking about promoting Amaro Jr., why not Tek?
Whether he wants it or not is a totally different question - he/anyone can say all they want, but once you're offered the job, it's a different story.
Farrell's bench coach in Toronto was Wakamatsu, but he's the bench coach in KC now. DeMarlo Hale is currently the bench coach in Toronto. Both would seem to be out of the mix.
Traditionally the bench coach is a trusted ally of the manager, and is not someone spying for the FO or waiting in the wings to replace the manager. As such, the bench coach is the member of the coaching staff over whom the manager has the most say. If DD goes against that here, it likely will not be kept secret from the press.
Traditionally the bench coach is a trusted ally of the manager, and is not someone spying for the FO or waiting in the wings to replace the manager. As such, the bench coach is the member of the coaching staff over whom the manager has the most say. If DD goes against that here, it likely will not be kept secret from the press.
Matheny is a great example. So they were both catchers, so they both should be able to do this with no background?
I'm not sure the "part of the front office staff" part means anything unless someone here has any info on real work Tek did there. And I think the lifestyle change could be a huge issue here.
Butter won't be the bench coach because he is too valued as an instructor. If you put 2 and 2 together I think it's Varitek. The FO has known ever since Hazen got the AZ job that Lovullo was gone. Combine that with Tek signing a new contract that says he'll be working more hands on with the players and it's a logical step to think he'll be the guy.
While not proof positive - and I'm not advocating for Varitek either way - he did interview for the Seattle job last year, no? Presumably he's open to the full time rigors. Maybe only if for a managerial job, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities that he's ok with the travel schedule and daily grind.
He did interview in Seattle, but he also reportedly declined the job when it was offered to him. So who knows what his desires are.
I gotchu, boo
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/41814222/jason-varitek-immersing-himself-into-all-aspects-of-new-job/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/red-soxs-blake-swihart-soaking-up-valuable-info-from-jason-varitek/
http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/03/02/christian-vazquez-catches-red-sox-catcher/24244379/
http://nesn.com/2015/01/christian-vazquez-has-look-of-leader-going-into-red-soxs-2015-season/
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/clubhouse_insider/2014/03/aj_pierzynski_listening_learning_from_jason_varitek
http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2015/10/as_jason_varitek_interviews_fo.html <<< - "As Jason Varitek interviews for Seattle Mariners job, a look at other MLB managers with no pro experience"
and this one, to show breadth of knowledge:
https://www.boston.com/sports/food/2016/09/20/jason-varitek-will-appear-as-a-guest-judge-on-chopped-junior
Chili Davis? Not only were there reports of a great rapport with batters young and veteran, he salvaged Buchholz.
Everyone is saying Butter is too valuable as an infield coach to be taken away from those duties and given the bench job, not that he hasn't earned it.. His value, too, just as importantly, is his time in the 3rd base coaching box! I remember he was made bench coach one year in Toronto and they sorely missed him on the field, so next year he was right back waving 'em in.
In fairness, I have to share this article as well, in light of my post above (stand by liking the idea of him in the position, but not against his will...)
"Red Sox bench coach search: Jason Varitek to remain in current role with club"
http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2016/11/red_sox_bench_coach_search_jas.html#incart_river_index
"Red Sox bench coach search: Jason Varitek to remain in current role with club"
http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2016/11/red_sox_bench_coach_search_jas.html#incart_river_index
