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

jon abbey

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I went back to reread the start of the original thread on this from two months ago (The Athletic story with Fiers) and in post 5 I wrote:

"This would presumably implicate Cora and Beltran among others, the current BOS and NYM managers, both big parts of that 2017 HOU team."

Neither were mentioned in the article but if it was that obvious to me sitting at home, both BOS and NYM should have been at least thinking about an emergency backup manager plan then if not earlier (Nov 12), so maybe they're in better shape than publicly thought. The Mets probably aren't because they are the Mets and they have a conflicted agent as a GM and owners who have already sold the team, but I'd think the Red Sox should be.

https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/the-athletic-the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball.28808/
 

Margo McCready

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I understand they said they "parted ways" over his conduct in Houston, but, if it turns out to be true that the reports of whatever was going on in Boston in 2018 wasn't so egregious to warrant a suspension from MLB, what about re-hiring Alex Cora to be the Red Sox manager. He does seem to be the best man for the job, no?
 

DadOfFenway

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I understand they said they "parted ways" over his conduct in Houston, but, if it turns out to be true that the reports of whatever was going on in Boston in 2018 wasn't so egregious to warrant a suspension from MLB, what about re-hiring Alex Cora to be the Red Sox manager. He does seem to be the best man for the job, no?
Can't see that working out so well... PR nightmare already and going back on word not a good move.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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As I voted, I like Varitek but after reading the Herald article on Baker I could see him as a great choice - strong dude who could manage through the present difficulties, young guys would get to play for a possible Hall of Fame manager, he's the old school balance to analytics, could finally get a ring. Maybe Varitek would be bench coach and take over in due time?
I would take Baker for the reasons you mention. Yes, he’s not the most modern guy, but I think he’s someone that you need to guide this ship through the choppy waters of 2020. I also think his handling of the pitching staff was a bit overblown.

I like the idea of Baker for a year or two with Varitek his lieutenant, waiting to take over for him.

The only thing I worry about is Baker getting along with Bloom. That could be an issue.
 

E5 Yaz

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The only thing I worry about is Baker getting along with Bloom. That could be an issue.
Baker's always been a "here's my nine guys who start" type of manager. He might playoff at a position, but for the most part he rolls with the starters. Seems an odd ideological choice for an analytics driven management team
 

PedroKsBambino

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Baker seems an outrageously bad choice. He’s anti-analytics, missed the pitch count revolution, and has never shown any ability to adjust or be flexible tactically.

I agree he is a calming personality, but given the highly likely conflicts organizationally I’d be quite concerned about the franchise’s direction if they landed on him.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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The wrong side of the bridge....
I agree with E5 et al. I've pushed back against the "Sox are drifting and don't have a plan" narrative, but if they hired Baker I'd have to join that chorus. Hiring a GM like Bloom and then a manager like Baker would be like washing down a Sweetgreen grain bowl with Four Roses on the rocks.
 

Awesome Fossum

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I never felt like Baker was "anti-analytics" in Washington; of course, they're not on the cutting edge of that movement. But it all comes down to whether he's willing to being guided by the analytics people in the organization. I have no idea how he'd feel about taking marching orders from upstairs, and if he's at all resistant, he's not a fit. That's fine. But being able to use SQL shouldn't be a prerequisite for being the manager. The manager's primary job is to keep people happy and playing hard over the slog of the season. On that front, I think Baker is an outstanding choice.
 

bosockboy

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I don’t want Baker, but the man craps out some strong regular seasons. A lot of his bad light is not ever having won a WS, which we all know is a crapshoot.
 

YTF

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Mike Lowell is one of my all time favorite Red Sox players and perhaps if the team had less talent and zero chance of making the playoffs I might be OK with the idea on a more permanent basis, but I don't see Cora coming back after a bridge season or two and I would like to see someone a bit more seasoned than Lowell taking the reigns of this team as constructed.
 

Green Monster

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Mike Lowell is one of my all time favorite Red Sox players and perhaps if the team had less talent and zero chance of making the playoffs I might be OK with the idea on a more permanent basis, but I don't see Cora coming back after a bridge season or two and I would like to see someone a bit more seasoned than Lowell taking the reigns of this team as constructed.
Agreed...and that's kinda how I feel about Varitek too. Good guy, loved him as a player, but it doesn't seem like he has shown much interest in managing since his playing days ended...... I know that it has recently been a bit of a trend with Boone, Ross, and Beltran all being hired without having managed even a little league game.
 

DeadlySplitter

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Neither were mentioned in the article but if it was that obvious to me sitting at home, both BOS and NYM should have been at least thinking about an emergency backup manager plan then if not earlier (Nov 12), so maybe they're in better shape than publicly thought. The Mets probably aren't because they are the Mets and they have a conflicted agent as a GM and owners who have already sold the team, but I'd think the Red Sox should be.
this is a nice thought, but nah, we were blindsided.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2020/01/18/inside-red-sox-decision-part-ways-with-alex-cora/Q2Wdoj8xb4UQv6O7vi3wPK/story.html
 

Harry Hooper

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Roenicke tells McAdam he was not party to any of the schemes.

I know when I was a third-base coach, I could have given pitches to hitters since 2000 when I was in the big leagues. And that’s legal to do from the third-base box, but I didn’t think it was right, so I didn’t do it.
...
(Being implicated) would be concerning if something happened and I knew I was a part of, that I was brought into as part of that. Because I know what I do and I always try to do things the right way.
 

YTF

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I went back to reread the start of the original thread on this from two months ago (The Athletic story with Fiers) and in post 5 I wrote:

"This would presumably implicate Cora and Beltran among others, the current BOS and NYM managers, both big parts of that 2017 HOU team."

Neither were mentioned in the article but if it was that obvious to me sitting at home, both BOS and NYM should have been at least thinking about an emergency backup manager plan then if not earlier (Nov 12), so maybe they're in better shape than publicly thought. The Mets probably aren't because they are the Mets and they have a conflicted agent as a GM and owners who have already sold the team, but I'd think the Red Sox should be.

https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/the-athletic-the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball.28808/
The Mets may have already had their emergency backup in place when they hired on Hensley Meulens as bench coach. That might not have been by design, but could play out that way. He's been interviewed for managerial positions with The Yankees in '17, The Reds in '18 and most recently with The Giants. The fact that he's interview doesn't make him qualified, but if The Mets think he's worthy he's in house and hopefully already becoming familiar with the organisation.
 

uncannymanny

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I’ll play the contrarian I guess. I think this would be a completely reasonable path, if the findings in the RS investigation aren’t too bad. Alex can do the rounds of contrition for a year and ownership has not thrown him under the bus. This won’t be the same hot topic going into the 2021 season as it is now.

Xander said that he wants “someone like [Cora]” to manage the team.
 

patoaflac

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I’ll play the contrarian I guess. I think this would be a completely reasonable path, if the findings in the RS investigation aren’t too bad. Alex can do the rounds of contrition for a year and ownership has not thrown him under the bus. This won’t be the same hot topic going into the 2021 season as it is now.

Xander said that he wants “someone like [Cora]” to manage the team.
And Lowell becomes the bench coach.
 

bosockboy

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I’ll play the contrarian I guess. I think this would be a completely reasonable path, if the findings in the RS investigation aren’t too bad. Alex can do the rounds of contrition for a year and ownership has not thrown him under the bus. This won’t be the same hot topic going into the 2021 season as it is now.

Xander said that he wants “someone like [Cora]” to manage the team.
Or they could convince him to take it permanently. I think he’d be great.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I chose Tek since the pressure will never be lower and there is a possible backup plan in the form of "Cora's triumphant return" (TM). I suppose Fuld and Lowell are also options for the same reason.

Baker would be ridiculous IMO. Still haven't forgiven him for single-handedly curtailing Kerry Wood's career. I picture EdRo dealing during start #3 in April and seeing him out there in the 8th inning at 130 pitches.
 

Awesome Fossum

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Wood was tearing ligaments years before Baker got to the Cubs. But regardless of how much blame he deserves for what happened with Wood and Prior, he's allowed to learn and improve. His handling of the Reds and Nationals staffs doesn't suggest that he'd be abusing the starters.
 

jon abbey

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Yeah, just to point out, Dusty Baker is 70. If any of these three teams (BOS, HOU, NYM) hires a manager over 50, it'll be notable although much more likely than it would be otherwise given the unusual circumstances. Even Showalter is only 63.
 

Yelling At Clouds

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I’m not pro-Baker necessarily but let’s be clear: what he did in 2003 is exactly what all 29 other managers working at the time would have done.
 

JimD

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I am firmly of the belief that the final say should be that of Chaim Bloom. He was brought in to lead baseball operations, so let him lead. Not interested in a lame-duck manager to keep the seat warm for Cora or a beloved name for PR purposes. Let Bloom pick the best person for the job as he sees fit.
 

edoug

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I am firmly of the belief that the final say should be that of Chaim Bloom. He was brought in to lead baseball operations, so let him lead. Not interested in a lame-duck manager to keep the seat warm for Cora or a beloved name for PR purposes. Let Bloom pick the best person for the job as he sees fit.
Absolutely otherwise you most likely doomed the relationship already.
 

OCD SS

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Dusty Baker is really being discussed here? That is hilarious.
To me this is symptomatic if people just wanting a name they know, despite poor track records, no track records, or being ideologically Incompatible.

I am firmly of the belief that the final say should be that of Chaim Bloom. He was brought in to lead baseball operations, so let him lead. Not interested in a lame-duck manager to keep the seat warm for Cora or a beloved name for PR purposes. Let Bloom pick the best person for the job as he sees fit.
While this seems like a good way to proceed, has ownership ever not directed managerial hires (especially for new GMs)? Seems like we should expect a similar process…
 

lexrageorge

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Almost as funny as the idea Cora is coming back.
I would agree that there is no chance of the Sox hiring a caretaker or temporary manager. The guy they hire is the guy they hope to have managing the team for an extended period. However,....

Finding the perfect candidate is going to be difficult at this point. And there is a non-zero chance that in 2-3 years the team may be looking for a new manager; that's baseball. It's not out of the question that if the team is looking for a new manager in that time, that Cora could be on the short list of candidates. It does depend upon what the MLB report reveals happened in the replay room in 2018; the presumption is that what's revealed is a minor offense that does not lead to any major penalties.
 
Going to throw this one out there and then duck and hide...Politics aside, thoughts on G38? He was reportedly interested in the Phillies opening earlier this cycle. He seems to me like a mix of old-school and analytical. I am well aware of the potential media circus this could create in today's climate, and the fact that he has not managed, which is why I don't think it's realistic, but just wanted to put it out there.
 

curly2

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Schilling's a flat-out no for me, and it has nothing to do with his politics (which I detest, by the way).

Long before anyone envisioned Donald Trump as president and before anyone outside of Illinois had ever heard of Barack Obama, Phillies GM Ed Wade called Schilling "a horse every fifth day and a horse's ass" the other four.

As for a more practical baseball matter, I can't forget him calling out Scott Williamson for leaving a game against the Yankees in 2004 with an injury. Williamson's elbow was shot, and he was never the same pitcher.

I don't want a manager -- no matter what his politics -- who might tell an injured player, "You're not hurt. Suck it up and be a man."
 

bosockboy

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Curt will always get my undying respect for what he did between the lines. He had intense pressure to deliver in 2004 after being brought in as a mercenary to help beat the Yankees and end the curse. And I hope he makes it Tuesday to the HOF (early returns look favorable). But managing is a big no.
 

E5 Yaz

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I’m not pro-Baker necessarily but let’s be clear: what he did in 2003 is exactly what all 29 other managers working at the time would have done.
Problem is, those 29 other managers now are more likely to change than Dusty
 

Awesome Fossum

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Problem is, those 29 other managers now are more likely to change than Dusty
I don't understand this. We don't have to speculate on the likelihood that he might have evolved since 2003. He managed for eight seasons after he left the Cubs and as recently as 2017. Is there anything from the past decade that suggests he would overthrow the starters?
 

Manramsclan

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Going to throw this one out there and then duck and hide...Politics aside, thoughts on G38? He was reportedly interested in the Phillies opening earlier this cycle. He seems to me like a mix of old-school and analytical. I am well aware of the potential media circus this could create in today's climate, and the fact that he has not managed, which is why I don't think it's realistic, but just wanted to put it out there.
^^^^Curt Schilling's burner account.^^^^

Obviously the issue here is timing and time remaining before Spring Training. That said I don't think the issue is a lack of candidates. There are only 30 jobs and there were only a handful of openings this year. I'm sure there were at least 3 unique candidates for each of the jobs available (SF, Mets,SD, Pit,?) only one of which was hired. That leaves a lot of candidates who were considered qualified outside of others who were identified in this thread.

The most important quality a candidate could have at this stage of the game is existing relationships with the players on the team. A manager can usually begin to build these relationship over the long offseason. Cora himself flew to meet and talk to players he didn't know well when he was hired. Now, 23 days until Spring Training with a few candidates in house (like Febles or Roenicke) I believe that's where this will end up for 2020. The front office will probably consider it a "caretaker" situation with the idea that if everything works out they can continue with their in-house candidate, but if they have to eat the second year of a contract they will(I'm assuming they have to at least give 2 years to a new manager).