Let's take a look at the latest news and notes on what could be the final day of the 2012 baseball season.
- Jim Leyland's future as manager of the Tigers is still unclear, tweets Tom Gage of the Detroit News. Before tonight's World Series game, Leyland said nobody puts a team together better than team President/CEO/GM Dave Dombrowski adding "hopefully he feels I'm the guy to manage it."
- The Orioles' most pressing needs for 2013 are a frontline starter, a second baseman, and dealing with the unsettled positions of left field and first base, writes MASN.com's Roch Kubatko.
- Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy are among the Orioles who could make a big step in 2013, according to Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.
- The Indians should only trade Chris Perez if they feel Vinnie Pestano can replace him as closer, opined Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer as he delved into his readers' mailbag. Hoynes also believes Lonnie Chisenhall will be given every opportunity to be the everyday third baseman and Sandy Alomar, Jr. would have been the slam-dunk choice as manager, if Terry Francona hadn’t been so adamant about getting back in the dugout.
- In the wake of Shohei Otani's announced intention to pursue a MLB career rather than play in Japan, Japanese baseball officials are considering stricter rules for amateur players who want to do the same, reports the Associated Press (via the Boston Herald).
- Tom Kotchman denied he was forced out by the Angels insisting his decision to leave was due to a desire to find something closer to his Tampa-St. Petersburg area home, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
- Congratulations to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, who was named the first female president in the 104-year history of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
- Manny Ramirez's quest to resurrect his baseball career has the slugger heading to the Dominican Republic in hopes of catching the eye of a potential suitor during a tryout for three Japanese teams, writes George A. King III of the New York Post.
Daniel Seco contributed to this post.
I hope the Yankees get mr.Perez
Manny Ramirez—you’re 40. Why not just retire?
As for Jim Leyland, I think that it’s his call as to whether or not he returns.
I like him to the Mets actually. Not a fan of his but they could use him.
Congrats Susan! Makes subscribing to the chronicle worth it, along with John Shea too.
I wonder if the Marlins are holding off on any managerial decisions until they see whether or not Detroit brings Leyland back?
Think Leyland is retiring a Tiger.. he stepped away from his “home” organization for a time to Pittsburgh, but he got his beginings there pretty much managing for years in their farm system.
Fish want someone around that age, they have Trader Jack, who is as shrewd as Leyland and he already called it quits for the same reason leyland probably will after 2012. Father time puts limits on us all. Once you get past a certain age, most see it moreso and it’s easier to understand.
Wonderful job by the Baseball Writers putting Susan at the helm. Baseball continues to be progressive (even though it took 104 years). But hey, they beat my Cubbies to the punch.
The Orioles’ most pressing needs for 2013 are a frontline starter, a second baseman, and dealing with the unsettled positions of left field and first base
This is very simple to remedy:
Sign Josh Hamilton LF
Sign Nick Swisher 1st Base
Sign Dan Haren Pitcher
Believe it or not leave 2nd base alone and just insert Robert Andino as the starting 2nd baseman and bat him 9th. Ryan Flaherty can platoon. I can live with that.
The problem is nothing can happen until the World Series is over (imminent)
Congrats to Susan Slusser, I know she is based out of San Fran but I know she covers two teams (A’s and Giants) or appears that way to me and in her spare time she gets to be President. Have fun if and when you can.
PS Never would have figured the Giants to be World Series Champs especially when i saw them in person in Spring Traning. I did not get that sense at all. Here they are one game away barring a miracle comeback by the Tigers.
Not sure why you say that’s simple. That’s a ton of money. I feel it highly unlikely that they raise payroll $45MM for next season.
Preposterous.
There has been no love from Oriole types towards me recently.
I am sad ='(
Seriously, though why is it preposterous?
Because you’re “simple” plan involves spending an insane amount of money that I don’t think the Orioles have.
Especially since a couple weeks ago they said they don’t think it’s necessary to increase payroll, if I remember correctly.
your*
You’ll get over it.
I have a lot of love for you, but your ideas are just not going to happen.
“Tom Kotchman denied he was forced out by the Angels insisting his decision to leave was due to a desire to find something closer to his Tampa-St. Petersburg area home”
Something close to his home………………. lets see, I’d say the Rays or the Yankees just gained a new employee.
Shohei Otani is going to the Dodgers hopefully that happens
“…[Sandy Alomar] would have been the slam dunk choice as manager if Terry Francona hadn’t been so adament about getting back in the dugout”
What does this statement really even mean? Was Francona shouting from the rooftops that he wanted to manage again? I haven’t heard anything like that, but that could still be the case. Also, the phrasing of the sentence makes it seem like Alomar was at least as good a choice as Francona if Francona hadn’t been begging to get back in a dugout.
Im sure most teams contacted him when they had openings, and the Indians probably one of them. Or, I could also have seen Tito contacting the Indians saying “I’d like a chance to interview if you’re interested”. I could see both ways
The day Acta was fired Chris Antonetti was on the phone asking Tito If he was interested
Congrats to Susan Slusser. Great reporter.