The Astros officially named Bo Porter their next manager today, publicly endorsing his experience and leadership skills. "He brings an energy to the clubhouse that is contagious and a teaching and motivating style that is appropriate for players of all ages and tenures," GM Jeff Luhnow said in a statement from the team. Here are more managerial notes from around MLB, starting with Porter and the Astros…
- The Astros will wait until Porter finishes his season with the Nationals before making any decisions about the coaching staff, writes Clark Goble of MLB.com. Porter will also be among those involved in the construction of the staff, according to Luhnow. Interim manager Tony DeFrancesco will have a role with the club, but it's not yet known what that will involve.
- The Astros considered a long list of candidates for the position before interviewing nine candidates, narrowing the list to four finalists and selecting Porter. Interim manager Tony DeFrancesco was another finalist for the position, according to the team.
- The Nationals allowed Porter to meet with the Astros despite his obvious value in D.C., general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement issued by the team. “He is smart, talented, and as fiery a competitor as there is in the game today,” Rizzo said.
- The Marlins talked extensively about Porter, a former Miami coach, as a possible replacement for Ozzie Guillen, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (on Twitter).
- Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington hasn’t officially said that Bobby Valentine will be dismissed at the end of the regular season, but he discussed the logistics of searching for a manager in an appearance on WEEI’s the Dennis & Callahan show (transcript via Kirk Minihane). “One of the things, as I look back at last offseason, that didn't go perfectly was simply the amount of time that we spent on the manager search and what that did to the rest of the offseason. I would like to spend less time on it this offseason, that's for sure." Though Cherington didn’t quite say Valentine is getting fired, there’s not that much room for interpretation here.
Cherington knows about as much about Bobby Valentine’s fate as he knows about his own. He certainly will not make the decision to terminate Bobby with $2.5M still owed on his contract. That will come from the owner’s suite, with John Henry and Larry Lucchino deciding. If Bobby is let go, against his wishes, it certainly will be a raw deal, taking into account that he managed with one hand tied behind his back throughout the entire 2012 season. IMHO, Cherington is trying to manipulate the media to his own advantage, hoping they will force Red Sox owner, John Henry, to retain him and can their manager so he can appoint his own.
What’s up with all these people going “boo hoo poor Bobby.” He’s a *bad manager*.
because he’s likable enough in small doses on TV, i suspect.
But yeah, they gave him a team that won almost 100 games a season ago and he’s struggling to get them 70… he’s probably NOT part of the solution.
WTH are you talking about?
Hawk, What are you Smokin? While it’s not all Valentine’s fault, he is a huge part of it. He had no business being hired in the 1st place.
Valentine was hired by Henry and Lucchino, pure and simple. Cherington is/was a puppet. Ben wanted Dale Sveum or Gene Lamont. Instead, he got Harry Hothead who immediately alienated half the team, mishandled the pitching staff, and stuffed the team into the DeLorean back to 1966.
yes that is definitely the simplest and most logical explanation
i think he just got tricked into divulging what’s already been decided… i think Bobby got a bit of a raw deal also but i still think that he’s in the wrong place at the wrong time and he didnt make things go an easier for sure. they need to fire him and hopefully he gets another chance somewhere else where it makes sense.
no bo for the marlins, please. would rather have lowell or ozzie.
never mind. didn’t see the update.
Lowell seems like a good fit and is popular with the community.. Good with people, knows the game etc.. so he is probably out.. Guillen is a social leper, alienates fans, the local population and makes moves questionable by a rookie manager and has an AL central crown in his resume.. The weakest division in all of baseball on a yearly basis, so he will in all likelihood remain. Not from common sense of course, but it’s the most illogical and trying to shove a square peg into a round hole philosophy that always prevails since John Henry left Miami.
With the number of teams that will be manager shopping this off season, has anyone considered Grady Little? I know he’s been away for a few years, but he’s hardly what you’d call “old”, and had pretty decent success.
Bye Bye Bobby!