No. And comparing historical data would be interesting on a number of fronts. Stepping back, this is a chicken/egg issue. IF the majority of pitchers are inevitably going to face significant injuries, squeezing every bit of spin out of them for a limited number of years could be an understandable strategy. BUT, if there was a better way to reliably protect those top prospects in order to produce higher value over time, a more conservative approach would be more attractive.
I don't know the internal machinations going on on Yawkey way, but I'd argue that Bailey - obviously a bright guy - could have taken a look at the staff/farm here and seen a better opportunity to solidify his resume by turning around the pitching staff of a - still - highly regarded, cornerstone franchise in the MLB. Early results look spectacular and I'm sure he's right on top of many team's lists at the moment. Also, he likely understands that the better he is at his job the likelier it is that Cora gets extended. If this team overachieves and makes the playoffs, I'd say it's a lock that Cora gets extended and also likely that Bailey moves on to take the big seat elsewhere. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if Bailey's ultimate goal is an executive role.
Fair. I always thought they won in spite of him, but I can’t argue with the results.
Right. I guess either way, it’s less “he can’t be a good manager” and more “how do you then replace your awesome pitching coach?” In Farrell’s case, he’d already been replaced so it was moot.
It would be interesting to know what his career goals are. He's only 39, but who knows what makes him tick.
He’s still the sinker/slider pitcher he was when he first came up, except that the four-seamer that was once another primary pitch is completely gone, replaced by a new cutter and far, far more splitters.
