The Mariners fired manager Don Wakamatsu today, and Triple A Manager Daren Brown will take over for the final 50 games of the season. Here are some reactions to the firing and some thoughts on potential long-term replacements:
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik "strayed from his scouting background and based too many decisions on sabermetric data" in crafting this year's team, suggests Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- The firing wasn't a surprise to anyone who follows the team closely, if you ask Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times (on Twitter).
- Larry Stone of the Seattle Times considers possible replacements for Wakamatsu, including Joey Cora, Bobby Valentine and Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney speculates that Valentine could be a good fit in the Emerald City (Twitter link).
- Olney hears that there's unrest in the Mariners' scouting and player development departments (Twitter link).
- MLB.com's Corey Brock wouldn't be surprised if the Mariners considered Padres hitting coach Randy Ready for the managerial opening (Twitter link).
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner says the Mariners fired Wakamatsu because the team was playing poorly and because Ken Griffey Jr. became unhappy.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says Wakamatsu is a good baseball man who could help another organization (Twitter link).
