Links for Tuesday night, as the Rays, Yankees and Reds clinch playoff berths…
- Former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart has prepared in case he becomes a candidate for the Mets GM job, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark profiles Braves manager Bobby Cox, whose storied managerial career is coming to an end after the season.
- The Blue Jays, who were once managed by Cox, are looking for a new manager, but GM Alex Anthopoulos says the organization's search cannot be rushed, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.
- Brewers bench coach Willie Randolph would like to manage in the big leagues again, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- MLB president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy will resign after the season, according to this MLB press release.
- Jason Giambi told Troy Renck of the Denver Post that there's "no chance" he's retiring after the season (Twitter link).
- A.J. Pierzynski would like to return to the White Sox next year, according to Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald. His teammate, Omar Vizquel, told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he'd like to return, too.
Dave_Gershman
So John Hart might not be on MLB Tonight anymore? Nooooooo!!!!
BravesRed
Time to call it quits, Mr. Giambi. You’ve had a 4th-time around hall of fame career. Willie Randolph = next Jays manager. I called it here first. Pierzynski would probably have to come back on a 1-year deal. I’m not a big AL fan, so I don’t have the slightest clue who John Hart is.
Jake Humphrey
Giambi has still been pretty good as a part-time 1B and PH, there’s no reason for him to retire unless he wants to. While he’ll never recapture the form he once had, it’s nice to see guys like Giambi be able to reinvent themselves and keep their career going.
5_tool_MiLB_fool
what? he contributed to essentially nothing this season
Jake Humphrey
I don’t consider a roughly .800 OPS (as a 1B and PH) to be nothing from a reserve. You can’t ask for much more out of a bench player.
The_Silver_Stacker
Why should he retire if he has proven he still has some left in the tank and clearly from the article he has the fire and ambition to continue on?
BravesRed
AL, yes. NL, no.
Jake Humphrey
He’s a more defensively limited Eric Hinske at this point in his career. Guys like that have plenty of value as pinch-hitters.
SpaldingBalls
Sox should offer AJ arbitration, and hope he doen’t except. The 7 Million or so he would get wouldn’t kill them, as he is not that bad of a player at a terrible offensive position. And with the thin catching market, I find it hard to believe even as a type-A that a team wouldn’t sign him to a one or two year deal.
foxtown
Is he a type A? I would find that hard to believe.
Dave_Gershman
Seriously though, John Hart would be a perfect GM for the Mets.
Jake Humphrey
So you’re telling me that he’s good at being a puppet?
Dave_Gershman
No, I’m saying that he’s always been an agressive, very good GM, and that he would be a good fit for the Mets GM job.
Jake Humphrey
He’d be a good fit only if Jeff Wilpon quit being a manipulative, micro-managing, arrogant prick then. I can understand what you’re saying, but that team isn’t going to be successful until the Wilpons aren’t running the show anymore.
mattmosher
At least that’s what you hope. Its widely known among Mets fans that Jeff didnt start interfering until he and Daddy started losing faith in Omar. If I were a Braves fan, I’d be praying they don’t get Hart, who built great teams in two cities with far less at his disposal.
Jake Humphrey
Well judging by the track record of success the Mets have with hiring GM’s, I don’t have too much to worry about.
mattmosher
Nope. You just have to worry about getting bounced in the first round, as usual.
Jake Humphrey
I’d rather get bounced in the first round than to not make it at all.
Just_MLB
omar lost full autonomy as soon as beltran got caught looking at strike 3. the mets started out like gangbusters in april of 2007, then they hit a slump for 3 weeks. then they ( tony b/jeff ) fired rick downs as a sign to willie that his job was on the line.
i dont believe omar has ever really had full autonomy. he may have had a more influential role in picking free agents/draft picks early on.
Dave_Gershman
That my friend, is the perfect answer…And you are absolutley right, something I should of thought of before posting my comment.
moonraker45
chances are. or atleast the hope is. no one takes the job unless they get the power to make decisions with out interference.
Just_MLB
I say the fans should make a VOCAL statement to the Wilpons, especially now as the season is coming to an end and they will attempt to sell 2011 season packages. If you want us to come to the stadium, you MUST remove Jeff Wilpon from the front office. Pick either one, but you can not have BOTH. It’s either us or him.
CitizenSnips
Enlighten me on Hart? Just not familiar with his work and anyone who might actually want the Mets GM job peaks my interest.
Dave_Gershman
He was the great Indians GM during their mid-late 90’a reign and also drafted some great players and built some great teams. He is now a senior advisor to Jon Daniels.
Jake Humphrey
Next MLB President/COO: Stan Kasten?
Dave_Gershman
next commisioner.
Jake Humphrey
Good stepping stone until Bud retires, then.
The_Silver_Stacker
This whole Mets GM thing is getting interesting, but I have a important question to ask, who do you think is the worst GM of the two, Phillips or Minaya?
Just_MLB
phillips makes minaya look like theo epstein.
bobby v really knew how to make a dollar out of 15 cents with those teams.
their downfall was letting john olerud go. Dude solidified their infield and was a beast at the plate. he might be my favorite met 1st baseman of all time ( and yes im including keith and delgado )