Who will be the next manager?

Who SHOULD be next manager of the Red Sox?

  • Ron Roenicke

    Votes: 62 18.6%
  • Carlos Febles

    Votes: 14 4.2%
  • Dustin Pedroia

    Votes: 12 3.6%
  • Jason Varitek

    Votes: 62 18.6%
  • Billy McMillon

    Votes: 19 5.7%
  • Brad Ausmus

    Votes: 19 5.7%
  • Gene Lamont

    Votes: 5 1.5%
  • Tony Pena

    Votes: 13 3.9%
  • Bam Bam Meulens

    Votes: 51 15.3%
  • Someone Else

    Votes: 76 22.8%

  • Total voters
    333

Red(s)HawksFan

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I'm not sure why folks think that a managerial search would be so difficult that they need to get a jump start on it now. Unless we think the Astros are going to scoop up the ideal candidate in the meantime.

Joe Kerrigan was fired during spring training in 2002 after Henry/Werner/Lucchino acquired the team. While the search was more limited, they seemingly got their man in Grady Little (how it eventually ended notwithstanding). Little was, IIRC, the bench coach in Cleveland when he was hired away. Seems unlikely that the Sox won't be able to interview anyone who isn't already managing an MLB club.

Besides, isn't it likely that they prefer a simple solution like elevating Roenicke and that that decision would depend on whether or not he (or any other coaches) are implicated in whatever schemes the MLB investigation turns up? Makes no sense to make firm plans now without all the information.
 

JimD

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Why? If anything, they should be more reluctant to negotiate.
Bloom seems to have left Tampa on good terms, and Quatraro's path to a big-league managing chair in the Rays organization is blocked by Kevin Cash for the foreseeable future. If the Sox managing job was open when Bloom was hired, I doubt the Rays would have stood in the way if he wanted to bring Quatraro to Boston.
 

mauf

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My read of this is that the oddsmakers don’t think other members of the Sox’ coaching staff will be implicated. (Because if coaches are implicated, I can’t see the Sox going with an internal hire like Roenicke, even if he personally emerges unscathed.)

I’m not sure how much comfort to take from that — prop bets don’t reflect crowdsourced wisdom to the same degree as game lines, and forecasting this type of situation isn’t in the oddsmakers’ wheelhouse.
 

Harry Hooper

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Quoting form another thread, but...

Somehow I doubt Showalter would want it. IIMO he wouldn't be caught dead in a Red Sox uniform. Nor would most of the fan base want him.
I think you are wrong about this. I bet Buck could garner a slight majority in fan support, say 55-60% in favor. His coming in could have a "Cincinnatus talked off the farm" vibe to it. I would not be in favor, FWIW.
 

nattysez

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Bochy, Varitek or Ausmus.
I think Bochy has had his fill of analytics-first GMs.

Bloom has A LOT of work to do over the next month (pitchers and catchers report in mid-Feb.) -- the last thing he has time for is conducting a thorough managerial search. For that reason alone, I expect them to elevate someone internally for a year before doing a full search next offseason (unless the internal guy blows them away). Why sign a multi-year deal with someone you have to vet quickly when you can give someone on the staff a one-year raise and then do a full search next season?
 

jon abbey

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Here is Ian Browne's mlb.com piece:

https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-new-manager-candidates
My two cents:

Hensley Meulens seems to me like he'd be a very good quick emergency hire given the time of year, just hired as the bench coach for the Mets in late November, but has been barely passed over for a bunch of jobs the last couple of seasons and would likely jump at the chance. As Browne says, he was the runner-up for the NY job and speaks five languages (English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese), he prepared as Bochy's successor in SF for years and then was passed over for Zaidi's binkie Gabe Kapler. He is a guy dying for a shot and could probably be hired on favorable terms for BOS, maybe a one year deal with a team option at the end of 2020 to extend it through 2022.

Also this one has the added bonus of grabbing Meulens before the Mets inevitably fire Beltran even though then they will hire Hinch anyway (for 2021 and onward).

(I believe I was the first to mention Chaim in the GM thread, let's see if another educated guess from an obsessed observer hits)
 

jon abbey

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Also he would save you guys having to come up with a nickname, of course he already has the awesome 'Bam Bam'.
 

strek1

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Quoting form another thread, but...



I think you are wrong about this. I bet Buck could garner a slight majority in fan support, say 55-60% in favor. His coming in could have a "Cincinnatus talked off the farm" vibe to it. I would not be in favor, FWIW.
I doubt that. IMO The fans would love to throw Showalter to the sharks with every single perceived error made. Plus everything he's ever said about the Sox organization makes me think he can't stand us. The feeling is pretty mutual.
 

bankshot1

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I think they should stick with Roenicke. He knows the players and the organization and the players know him. I see limited upside to introducing more uncertainty to what is already a complicated and difficult situation. And it will give Chaim time to consider other longer-term managerial candidates. as he also ponders the more pressing needs of reconfiguring the team.
 

strek1

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I think they should stick with Roenicke. He knows the players and the organization and the players know him. I see limited upside to introducing more uncertainty to what is already a complicated and difficult situation. And it will give Chaim time to consider other longer-term managerial candidates. as he also ponders the more pressing needs of reconfiguring the team.
Can they stick with Roenicke though? He had to have known about this. Any spoke in the wheel of silence (Except the players obviously) may have to go.
 

bankshot1

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Every guy in MLB knows something about steroids and other various past transgressions. Lotta shit stays in the clubhouse and this one probably would have except for the Athletic story. If MLB wants to go after him too, then its open season. MLB got their pound of flesh with Cora. If they want blood too, it may get ugly.
 

shawnrbu

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My wish list:

1. Gene Lamont - Former AL Manager of the Year. Should have been hired by Lucky in 2012. Deserves a shot 8 years later.

2. Mike Cubbage - Often wonder how 03 would have turned out if he was named the permanent manager in 02.

3. Tony Pena - Another former AL Manager of the Year. Surprised this brilliant baseball mind does not currently have a job in MLB. Spent over a decade with NYY. Could provide invaluable intel on the rival.

It’s a shame Mike Matheny was already hired by the Royals this offseason. He would have been a great pick to keep the ship steady in 2020.
 
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bosockboy

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My wish list:

1. Gene Lamont - Former AL Manager of the Year. Should have been hired by Lucky in 2012. Deserves a shot 8 years later.

2. Mike Cubbage - Often wonder how 03 would have turned out if he was named the permanent manager in 02.

3. Tony Pena - Another former AL Manager of the Year. Surprised this brilliant baseball mind does not currently have a job in MLB. Spent over a decade with NYY. Could provide invaluable intel on the rival.

It’s a shame Mike Matheny was already hired by the Royals this offseason. He would have been a great pick to keep the ship steady in 2020.
Golf clap.
 

SmokeyJoeWould

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Wait for the report. If the Sox are cleared (they didn't bang any trash cans), go with Roenicke and make 'Tek the bench coach. If Roenicke is tainted, take a flyer on 'Tek or Pedey as interim and accept that 2020 is not going to be a great year. There is no time to find someone from outside to manage this year..
 

Tyrone Biggums

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Anyone but Showalter. He’s even below Bobby V on my list

mic your s looking for a seasoned vet, take a shot at Bochy.
Its a pipe dream which is why I never really entertained it but I'm all for Henry backing up a dump truck full of cash in Bochys driveway.
 

tdaignault

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I don't see how you can hire Roenicke. He is either tainted by being part of the cheating scandal as the bench coach . . . or he is a terrible bench coach if he was that clueless of everything going on around him. I am not sure you can go external this close to the start of the season, so Tek or McMillon make the most sense to me.
 

Heating up in the bullpen

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I agree with those saying anyone tainted by sign stealing are non-starters: Roenicke and Pedroia are out. Febles too.
Showalter? Good lord no. Farrell re-run? Ditto.
Varitek could work. The guy from Tampa would make sense. Bam Bam, sure. Where do I vote?
 

nvalvo

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Can they stick with Roenicke though? He had to have known about this. Any spoke in the wheel of silence (Except the players obviously) may have to go.
Known about what? Roenicke wasn’t in Houston.

The stuff that happened in Boston is routine.
 

Marbleheader

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I like the idea of a guy like McMillon getting a shot. He managed in the organization 7 years and has worked his way up the ranks.
 

JimD

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I love Dustin Pedroia, but what about him has ever given anyone the feeling that he's the next great manager in waiting?
 

YTF

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I love Dustin Pedroia, but what about him has ever given anyone the feeling that he's the next great manager in waiting?
Well he can always play this card..."It's not me it's them" Seriously though it's going to be difficult with a small pool of candidates as well as the fact that Houston is also looking for a manager and honestly Houston may be seen as the better gig ATM.
 

edoug

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I like the idea of a guy like McMillon getting a shot. He managed in the organization 7 years and has worked his way up the ranks.
This is a heck of a situation to put a guy who hasn't managed in the bigs yet. Talk about baptism by fire.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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I like the idea of a guy like McMillon getting a shot. He managed in the organization 7 years and has worked his way up the ranks.
Doesn't he have a reputation of not being media friendly? Not that it should prevent him from getting an interview but this organization seems to value that aspect of anyone they hire.
 

jon abbey

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Well he can always play this card..."It's not me it's them" Seriously though it's going to be difficult with a small pool of candidates as well as the fact that Houston is also looking for a manager and honestly Houston may be seen as the better gig ATM.
Houston will likely promote Espada, I’d think.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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Some of these suggestions are....just wow.

Pedroia's not going to become manager. Period, end of story, stop throwing it out there because it's not funny or clever. It's out of the realm of possibility as it should be. No, the Sox aren't getting out from under his salary.

Varitek is not going to become manager. Full stop, end of story. He's never had one day of managerial experience at any level, and this situation is now officially a shitshow. Not a place to start one's career. He can start in Lowell or Portland like everyone else.
 

Marbleheader

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This is a heck of a situation to put a guy who hasn't managed in the bigs yet. Talk about baptism by fire.
It's a veteran team. This team is not expected to win a title, they're coming off a down year. Give him the interim tag and see how he does. There aren't many options of people that have worked with some of these guys before. I don't personally feel like hiring someone from the outside is going to be ideal. Of course, none of this is ideal.

I don't know about media stuff, etc, I just like the idea of a guy coming up through the ranks is my point.
 

NDame616

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Some of these suggestions are....just wow.

Pedroia's not going to become manager. Period, end of story, stop throwing it out there because it's not funny or clever. It's out of the realm of possibility as it should be. No, the Sox aren't getting out from under his salary.

Varitek is not going to become manager. Full stop, end of story. He's never had one day of managerial experience at any level, and this situation is now officially a shitshow. Not a place to start one's career. He can start in Lowell or Portland like everyone else.
You can't lump Pedroia's chances and Tek's. Pedroia is a current member of the Red Sox, and under no circumstances would be a manager (I also don't think he'd make a good one) but he's 100% out for very obvious reasons. I don't know if the suggestions of him are parody or not.

Tek is certainly a viable name if the Sox want him which is why most beat guys are floating it out there. He's a PR home run and currently involved with the team

Also, teams have taken guys with 0 coaching experience and ripped them from the broadcast booth to the field. So that doesn't matter
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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It does matter. This is not some smooth-running machine, this is a full on crisis. Varitek has no experience running any team at any level. He's not a viable candidate. He might be a popular one but that's a very different animal.

Hiring Varitek would be a biggest disaster than hiring Bobby Valentine ever was.
 

OurF'ingCity

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Varitek has no experience running any team at any level. He's not a viable candidate.
Echoing NDame above - neither did Boone. Unless I'm mistaken Boone didn't have a single role in the clubhouse or front office other than player before he became manager, so Varitek actually has considerably MORE experience than Boone did when he was hired.

That's not to say Varitek will be the choice or would be a good choice if he was chosen (I tend to agree throwing him into the fire with little time to prepare wouldn't be the best option, and he probably would say the same thing), but his lack of having managed a team in the past is not disqualifying if the Sox otherwise thought he was a good fit.

Edit: another way to look at it is that Varitek more or less has the same amount of managerial experience that Beltran has.
 

NDame616

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Echoing NDame above - neither did Boone. Unless I'm mistaken Boone didn't have a single role in the clubhouse or front office other than player before he became manager, so Varitek actually has considerably MORE experience than Boone did when he was hired.

That's not to say Varitek will be the choice or would be a good choice if he was chosen (I tend to agree throwing him into the fire with little time to prepare wouldn't be the best option, and he probably would say the same thing), but his lack of having managed a team in the past is not disqualifying if the Sox otherwise thought he was a good fit.

Edit: another way to look at it is that Varitek more or less has the same amount of managerial experience that Beltran has.
Same with David Ross. Was a color analyst and hired as a special assistant to the Cubs. I'm not sure if Matheny was employed by any club before he was hired as manager as well.

I'm not saying Varitek is likely, or would be a good candidate. However lumping him in with a player who is currently under contract isn't fair, plus he IS the 2nd betting favorite in Vegas....
 

JimD

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Given that Dale Sveum is not currently managing or coaching and was highly regarded by Ben Cherington (Alex Speier reported today that Sveum was Cherington's choice in 2012 before being overruled by ownership in favor of Bobby V.) and Theo Epstein, perhaps he would be a good fit.
 

Marbleheader

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If Varitek played his career for the Mariners, would anyone be mentioning his name as a candidate? Loved him as a player, but you have to separate the fandom and look at him objectively as a candidate.

Pedroia is never happening in light of recent events. He's also not someone that I'd want running my ball club even if the Apple watch stuff didn't happen. Again, he was an excellent player in his prime. That doesn't make him an excellent candidate for manager.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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It does matter. This is not some smooth-running machine, this is a full on crisis. Varitek has no experience running any team at any level. He's not a viable candidate. He might be a popular one but that's a very different animal.

Hiring Varitek would be a biggest disaster than hiring Bobby Valentine ever was.
Not in love with the idea of Tek by any means. But there is a precedent for an ex catcher who has no experience running a team winning a world series his first year. Bob Brenly did it back in 01. He was very briefly a coach with the Giants before that. Boone as someone else mentioned is another former player who became a manager with zero experience.

Pedroia would be a good option if the Sox wanted a tank commander. Also as a way to skirt paying him 15 million a year. I don't think he'd be a good legitimate option for a contender.

My first pick all things being equal is Bochy. However, I'd guess Roenicke is the most realistic option.
 
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OurF'ingCity

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Boone wasn't hired as solely a PR move as Varitek would be. Big difference.
Probably not worth going many more rounds on this but I assume if Varitek were hired it would be because the Red Sox thought he was the best candidate, not solely as a PR move.

Loved him as a player, but you have to separate the fandom and look at him objectively as a candidate.
Ok, looked at objectively, how is he any worse of a candidate than Boone or David Ross (or Bob Brenly as TB points out, etc.)? This is really an academic discussion though because I suspect Varitek doesn't want to manage (at least at the moment). I'm just saying if the Sox announce in two weeks that Tek is the new manager I'm not going to be beside myself with frustration.
 

YTF

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Some of these suggestions are....just wow.

Pedroia's not going to become manager. Period, end of story, stop throwing it out there because it's not funny or clever. It's out of the realm of possibility as it should be. No, the Sox aren't getting out from under his salary.

Varitek is not going to become manager. Full stop, end of story. He's never had one day of managerial experience at any level, and this situation is now officially a shitshow. Not a place to start one's career. He can start in Lowell or Portland like everyone else.
Mentioned in another thread that I wondered if he had interest in becoming pitching coach. His game prep is legendary and from all accounts he gelled well with his staff which I would think should carry over into the new role. He's with the team, familiar with the personnel, far enough removed from his playing days not to be too close to the staff, but not long enough that he's lost the notoriety for being one of the best catchers in the game. And perhaps as pitching coach (and former teammate) he might be able to convince fellow "special assistant" Martinez to look at certain specifics that he (Varitek) has identified as flaws. I'm sure that's part of what Pedro does now, but Tek would likely have a much different relationship with him and perhaps work with Pedro differently than previous pitching coaches.
 

Al Zarilla

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Mike Matheny had no managing experience at any level, well not sure about Little League. He did OK.

Bruce Bochy has said he had one more rodeo in him. He’s my second (close) favorite manager after Tito. He did have a couple of minor heart procedures in recent years. He went back to managing shortly after both. He is 64. If you want a high integrity guy with experience, he’s certainly it. Hire him, if he shows a sincere interest in the job (which would be a criterion for any candidate).
 
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edoug

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It's a veteran team. This team is not expected to win a title, they're coming off a down year. Give him the interim tag and see how he does. There aren't many options of people that have worked with some of these guys before. I don't personally feel like hiring someone from the outside is going to be ideal. Of course, none of this is ideal.

I don't know about media stuff, etc, I just like the idea of a guy coming up through the ranks is my point.
I'm not saying they shouldn't but the media's motto these days is, " Come in first and come in worst." A "disposable" manager is what I'd do.
 

jon abbey

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Bruce Bochy has said he had one more rodeo in him. He’s my second (close) favorite manager after Tito. He did have a couple of minor heart procedures in recent years. He went back to managing shortly after both. He is 64. If you want a high integrity guy with experience, he’s certainly it. Hire him, if he shows a sincere interest in the job (which would be a criteria for any candidate).
He told Bob Nightengale yesterday he planned to sit out 2020 and wasn't a candidate for the Astros job (link below). As a Yankees fan, I'd love to see BOS hire Bochy as I continue to think his Giants tenure was wildly overrated and he would crash and burn in 2020 in the AL East, but it doesn't seem like an option anyway.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/01/14/astros-scandal-alented-but-they-leaderless/4464972002/
 

BoSox Rule

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Mike Matheny was a terrible manager. Anybody using him as a success wasn’t paying attention.
 

Carmine Hose

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I think they should go the interim veteran route. Pay someone a nice parting gift to steady the ship to let the brass figure it out. No one you would really want long term would come here in the third week of January, with an organization in turmoil and looking to cut salary under a new GM regime and a depleted farm system. Real and promising candidates would want to wait it out. That said, there are also likely plenty of people that would take the job for the cash or because they are otherwise too far away in their own career tracks from manager duty. Would you want them anyway?

I can see Henry, et al, taking this hit to do a Yankee-style sell-off and reset.