701 replies to this topic

[Corsi]

If Tito is out, who is in?

[bsj]

The list of managers who are available yet not working is questionable.

Any chance we can lure Torre out of retirement? I know the guy isn't a spring chicken...but he's a kid compared to Jack McKeon.

Bobby Valentine is always mentioned on these managerial lists. I actually like him, but think he'd be like gasoline on the fire that is the Boston media market.

[bosockboy]

Valentine
Pena
Martinez
Cora
A rising minor league star (Joe McEwing)
A respected bench coach (Olney mentioned Pete Mackanin)

I think that's a half dozen pretty good choices.

[JCizzle]

Doesn't Jim Hickey always seem to receive a lot of praise every time we play the Rays? I wouldn't mind someone from that coaching staff.

[Koufax]

I'd consider Demarlo Hale on the condition that he also serve as third base coach.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Jason Varitek?

Seriously though, I think Valentine is the best guy listed so far. But I'd imagine other avenues, beyond "available" managers would also be explored. Any chance they'd try and pry Farrell away from Toronto?

[Ferm Sheller]

What about Ken Macha? What am I missing with him? His A's and Brewers teams seemed to perform well given the talent on hand. Does he have a flaw that I am not aware of?

[The Gray Eagle]

In 2003, hardly anyone wanted Francona here, almost everyone on here was against it, but Epstein knew he was the right guy for this team and market. That's the only manager he's ever hired. I think Theo knows what he's doing on this. Big money free agents-- not so much, but picking a manager for this team, yes.

Epstein will choose someone not that well known or expected, with some sort of issue that will have many of us questioning him. But it'll work out all right.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Bobby Valentine is like the John Lackey of managers. Personally, I'm not interested in a big name guy- I think it has the potential to be a disaster. The trend now seems to be getting younger guys who are more open minded to the statistical nature of the game, and who will be more in tune with organizational philosophy. Hale has to get consideration, Macha seems unlikely to me- he's somewhat similar to Tito in experience, but he's already 61 years old, ship may have sailed for him. Perhaps someone with experience with Crawford (Dave Martinez fits the bill). I'm sure we'll hear John Farrell, Mills, and even Maddon mentioned too (no chance, IMO).

[Savin Hillbilly]

Knowing Theo and Henry, it's going to be somebody who's completely on board with an information-based approach to the game. They're not going to hire some old-school, shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy.

Also, I suspect they'll prefer someone younger than Valentine and Macha, who are both in their 60s.

[wutang112878]

Perhaps someone with experience with Crawford (Dave Martinez fits the bill). I'm sure we'll hear John Farrell, Mills, and even Maddon mentioned too (no chance, IMO).

Maddon would be my first choice, he has shown a lot of ability in Tampa, and he was one of the guys interviewed when Tito got the job. Getting him from Tampa would probably be very difficult though, although worse case scenario Tampa might have to give him a new contract to retain him and that would reduce their resources a bit which also isnt a bad thing.

[jacklamabe65]

The real question is....if Theo stays. If he does, those mentioned above would all be on a short list. If he goes,and someone like Brian Cashman comes in, probably Pena (although Cashman seems more likely to resign with the MFY's now that the season has played itself out).

[tims4wins]

I'm sure we'll hear John Farrell, Mills, and even Maddon mentioned too (no chance, IMO).

The thing is, with guys like Farrell and Mills, can they really bring in someone who already has ties to the current roster, or do they need a total outsider? I think based on what happened this year it needs to be an outsider.

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

One thought I had was Ryne Sandberg - the problem is I remember his Hall of Fame induction speech and while it may be short sighted on my part he said something about himself being team first because he could bunt. If he's willing to alter some of his baseball philosophies, I think Sandberg could be a really strong choice.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Art Howe?

Just kidding.

[Wingack]

I don't know why we never hear about Tom Kelly's name being floated for managerial openings. I know he is a special assistant to the Twins GM but I am sure if some team plunked down enough money he could get lured away. Unless he has absolutely made it clear to potential suitors that he won't manage anymore (and that is why nobody asks.)

[veritas]

Several people brought up Gabe Kapler in another thread. At first I laughed off the idea but it's not nearly as crazy as it first sounded. He did manage in the Sox' organization in 2007 and from all accounts was one of the most respected players in the game during his career and specifically during his time in Boston.

It would be quite the ballsy move for Theo given his lack of experience. But if he's looking for someone to bring accountability and professionalism to the team, Kapler would bring that.

[Billy Jo Robidoux]

What's Joe Kerrigan up to these days?

[behindthepen]

I like the Macha idea. They know him and I believe he understands our system.

I also wonder if they're looking at someone with some experience to run it for a couple of years to train someone for the long term.

[findguapo]

I hope they consider the following for interviews:

Bobby Valentine - accountability, experience
Rich Dubee - good pitching background, very good with the media, well spoken, professionalism, but no managerial experience
Wally Backman - it may never happen, but if you want accountability, and fire, he absolutely eats, sleeps and breathes baseball, may be a media disaster

[Toe Nash]

I like the Macha idea. They know him and I believe he understands our system.

I also wonder if they're looking at someone with some experience to run it for a couple of years to train someone for the long term.

A couple years is the long term, unless they can find another Francona. Managers have short shelf lives unless they are exceptional.

[SoxScout]

Tony Pena or Sandy Alomar Jr.

I also would be perfectly fine with McEwinig, Sandberg, Martinez, or the like.

Would be pretty disappointing with Macha, would be upset with Valentine.

Edited by SoxScout, 30 September 2011 - 10:00 AM.

[Mystic Merlin]

STOP WITH VALENTINE.

Has anyone seen this clown on TV for the past 2 years? Fucking no thanks.

[Rudy Pemberton]

The Red Sox don't need a manager who is bigger than the team. How would Valentine work out? I can't imagine him working well with Theo or management; he wants the spotlight and isn't going to answer to anyone, there's a reason nobody has hired him despite him being a good tactician. No way.

[PedroKsBambino]

There's a lot of reasons to believe it'll be someone low-profile enough that they will accept the job on the assumption they will do things the way the FO wants.

So, most of these names being thrown around seem rather unlikely to me.

[Savin Hillbilly]

The Red Sox don't need a manager who is bigger than the team. How would Valentine work out? I can't imagine him working well with Theo or management; he wants the spotlight and isn't going to answer to anyone, there's a reason nobody has hired him despite him being a good tactician. No way.

Yeah, Theo's about as likely to hire a guy like Valentine to be the manager as he is to sign a speed guy with no plate discipline and not much power to a 7-year, $140-million contract to play left field for us.

[JimBoSox9]

It's shocking to me that Valentine has the confidence of so many here. He says at least one completely asinine thing every single time he is on ESPN. Is there anything to indicate he embraces new-school methodology and would be on the same page as the front office?

I think Martinez, McEwing, Macha, and Pena are all interesting candidates, but I don't know enough about how they think to say for sure. I was in Missouri when Pena was the KC manager, and was very impressed in how he outwardly handled himself to the fans and media, even once all the We Believe stuff went to hell in a handbasket. Out of anyone mentioned so far, he's the one I'd have the most confidence could replace Tito's media/Boston pressure handling skills.

I think (and this is totally speculative) it increasingly didn't sit well with Theo when Tito would refuse to pinch-hit or bench a veteran even when the matchup numbers strongly called for it. I think that Theo is basically looking for someone who can keep a good clubhouse and be an extension of front-office philosophies on the field. This can be good or bad - those philosophies can be trusted to be sounds, but also encourages groupthink which can be obviously negative for an organization.



Edit: grammar

Edited by JimBoSox9, 30 September 2011 - 10:10 AM.

[Foulkey Reese]

STOP WITH VALENTINE.

Has anyone seen this clown on TV for the past 2 years? Fucking no thanks.

Seriously. He makes a complete fool of himself every Sunday night on ESPN. I can't imagine a worse choice.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

Valentine is a self-righteous self promoter who is consistently moronic on ESPN. His drivel is always lacking any logic. He seems like he'd take managing with hunches to the extreme. Valentine's antics would wear out quickly.

I kind of like the Dave Martinez idea though.

Edited by greek_gawd_of_walks, 30 September 2011 - 10:16 AM.

[mt8thsw9th]

I don't know why we never hear about Tom Kelly's name being floated for managerial openings.

The guy that wanted David Ortiz to play more small ball? No, thank you.

[terrynever]

Joe McEwing is an interesting longshot. Theo knows him from the 2007 season in Pawtucket, his last year as a player. He was great in that locker room. Since he managed the White Sox's AAA team in Charlotte (69-74, 11 games back), he could end up replacing Ozzie, but if that doesn't happen, maybe he gets on Theo's list of people to talk to. He's young, for a manager, but I don't think the Red Sox veterans would walk over him. McEwing has big league playing credentials, and he was a great competitor.

I don't think the PawSox manager, Arnie Beyeler, figures in Theo's thinking yet for a big league manager, although Arnie did a nice job in 2011 for Pawtucket.

And, of course, maybe Theo is gone in a few days, or weeks, too. Stranger things have happened.

Edited by terrynever, 30 September 2011 - 10:15 AM.

[JimBoSox9]

STOP WITH VALENTINE.

Has anyone seen this clown on TV for the past 2 years? Fucking no thanks.

While we're vetoing people, it'd be nice if Maddon wasn't brought up either. No chance he makes that move. He's not an NCAA football coach.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman would be an intriguing choice. It'd also be fun to be on this board if they hired away Scioscia, just for the meltdowns. He'd turn Jacoby into Juan Pierre 2.0 in no time at all.

[BosRedSox5]

I was a huge fan of Ryne Sandberg when I was a kid, but I'm not sure about who to get as a manager. Obviously there aren't stats for managers you just have to go with someone who the players will respect, who can handle the media and can follow the front office philosophy. I don't mean a puppet, but someone who buys into the organizational plan.

I like the idea of a young guy (like Francona was) but who fits the mold? I like Joe McEwing, but the only basis I really have for that is youth, and the vague idea that crappy former players who were fairly highly touted seem to have a lot of insight.

[Greg29fan]

I'll throw out Jim Riggleman. I know his career record isn't great (neither was Tito's), but I thought he did a good job with Nats before his departure, especially this year. He has experience, and has dealt with a major media market before as manager of the Cubs.

[Rough Carrigan]

I like the Macha idea. They know him and I believe he understands our system.

I also wonder if they're looking at someone with some experience to run it for a couple of years to train someone for the long term.

I thought Macha was considered oddly uncommunicative by the players in Oakland. That doesn't seem very good if true.

[ScubaSteveAvery]

Valentine is a self-righteous self promoter who is consistently moronic on ESPN. His drivel is always lacking any logic. He seems like he'd take managing with hunches to the extreme. Valentine's antics would wear out quickly.

I kind of like the Dave Martinez idea though.

The players better hide their wives if Dave Martinez is hired.

What would be an awesome experiment in how to handle pressure and adversity is a group interview with Dave Martinez and Ryne Sandberg. That would be awesome.

Edited by ScubaSteveAvery, 30 September 2011 - 10:20 AM.

[Monbo Jumbo]

Jenny Craig for 3rd base coach.

[Pumpsie]

ALL managers have a shelf life and 8 years is a relatively long run. After a while, most managers lose their effectiveness and the veteran players, especially, stop listening and start doing their own thing more and more.

There is also the question of temperament. There are hardass, "I'm the boss" managers and easygoing, "I'm one of the guys" managers. It seems like a good strategy to go from one type to another. After way too many years of Jimy Williams' topsy-turvy fiefdom, Grady Little and Tito Francona were good picks. Little, unfortunately, was a wipeout but a manager with his temperament was the right call. They got it right with Tito.

Now, after 8 years of Tito, and with a veteran club with high expectations every year, they can't hire an inexperienced manager now. That would be pulling a "Lou Lamoriello" in the John MacLean scenario. They really DO need a Bobby Valentine type for a few years and THEN hire a young guy to take over from HIM. Anyway, that's how I see it today.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Now, after 8 years of Tito, and with a veteran club with high expectations every year, they can't hire an inexperienced manager now. That would be pulling a "Lou Lamoriello" in the John MacLean scenario. They really DO need a Bobby Valentine type for a few years and THEN hire a young guy to take over from HIM. Anyway, that's how I see it today.

Not sure I agree with this. Look at Maddon, Washington, Roenicke, Gibson, even Girardi...those guys were all pretty inexperienced and are in the playoffs. Different markets, for sure, but I think things have changed in terms of a manager. It's a much more collaborative process, and needing the right fit with management and team personnel; I'm no longer convinced that experience matters. In some cases, it may be a negative.

[cannonball 1729]

I hope they consider the following for interviews:

Bobby Valentine - accountability, experience

What's the old line about experience? I believe it was, "Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." Bobby V can certainly do that.

What part of Bobby V's 1117-1072 record, including presiding over one of the most disappointing teams in recent history (the 2001-02 Mets) gets people around here so excited? Or is it the fact that when he interviewed for the Sox position after the 2003 season, he told management that in Game 7, he "didn't know if he would have pulled Pedro, either"? I get that he won a pennant at one point, but c'mon - there's a reason he hasn't managed in the bigs for a decade.

I still expect that it's going to be someone who has some familiarity with the way the Sox do things (Hale, Mills, or Sveum) or else somebody who would be able to quickly learn (someone who is like Joe Madden, although Madden himself isn't going anywhere). I get that the Sox are pissed and want to retool, but I don't think they're going to tear down the whole system they've built up over the last decade.

Edited by cannonball 1729, 30 September 2011 - 10:39 AM.

[Van Everyman]

STOP WITH VALENTINE.

Has anyone seen this clown on TV for the past 2 years? Fucking no thanks.

Thank you.

Plus, what on god's green earth gives you the sense that (Pedroia notwithstanding) this organization likes guys with big mouths and personalities?

[Trlicek's Whip]

I'll throw out Jim Riggleman. I know his career record isn't great (neither was Tito's), but I thought he did a good job with Nats before his departure, especially this year.

He's closer to 60 than 50, so if the CW holds that they want to skew young and new, he ain't the guy.

Hasn't he always been replacement level or worse as manager?

And didn't the way he left Natstown this year sort of taint him as a viable choice? At least for this year. I don't see it unless he's on staff as a 3rd base coach to rehab his "image."

[dirtynine]

Several people brought up Gabe Kapler in another thread. At first I laughed off the idea but it's not nearly as crazy as it first sounded. He did manage in the Sox' organization in 2007 and from all accounts was one of the most respected players in the game during his career and specifically during his time in Boston.

It would be quite the ballsy move for Theo given his lack of experience. But if he's looking for someone to bring accountability and professionalism to the team, Kapler would bring that.

Seconded. This was the first guy I thought of. I hope Theo is thinking along the lines of uncovered, rising talent rather than tried-and-true, been around the block "names".

[bsj]

Any chance we can get Eric Wedge out of Seattle? I have always been a big fan of his.

EDIT- May be tough...we'd have to buy out 2 years...

Edited by bsj, 30 September 2011 - 12:00 PM.

[Lose Remerswaal]

All of the "VALENTINE SUCKS DID YOU SEE HIM ON TV" folks must have missed Girardi on TV.

Maddon and Farrell aren't walking through that door. Farrell has 2 more years on his deal in Toronto, Maddon has one more year in Tampa.

[David Laurila]

Among former big-league managers, Don Baylor and Alan Trammell are guys who might be considered. Don Wakamatsu, A.J. Hinch and Trey Hillman, as well. Of guys who have yet to manage in the majors, Torey Lovullo and Brett Butler might merit consideration.

[Hendu's Gait]

Several people brought up Gabe Kapler in another thread. At first I laughed off the idea but it's not nearly as crazy as it first sounded. He did manage in the Sox' organization in 2007 and from all accounts was one of the most respected players in the game during his career and specifically during his time in Boston.

It would be quite the ballsy move for Theo given his lack of experience. But if he's looking for someone to bring accountability and professionalism to the team, Kapler would bring that.

He could also give fitness tips to Fat Albers and the bunch. Kapler always gave me the overachieving vibe; there would be worse choice, for sure.

[bosockboy]

Among former big-league managers, Don Baylor and Alan Trammell are guys who might be considered. Don Wakamatsu, A.J. Hinch and Trey Hillman, as well. Of guys who have yet to manage in the majors, Torey Lovullo and Brett Butler might merit consideration.

Lovullo is an interesting name considering his ties to the organization.

McEwing, Pena, Joey Cora....all good choices as well.

[jacklamabe65]

He could also give fitness tips to Fat Albers and the bunch. Kapler always gave me the overachieving vibe; there would be worse choice, for sure.

Cheri would be in heaven for one.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Lovullo is an interesting name considering his ties to the organization.

McEwing, Pena, Joey Cora....all good choices as well.

A guy with closer ties to the organization would be DeMarlo Hale, who interviewed for the job back when Tito was hired. He was move to bench coach not too long ago as well.

If they're looking for an incremental rather than a radical change that's their likely choice.