Let’s take a look at several managerial and coaching updates from around the majors…
- The Mets could decide beleaguered manager Mickey Callaway’s fate as soon as Wednesday, David Lennon of Newsday reports. Callaway just wrapped up his second season in New York, which improved from 77-85 to 86-76. The Callaway-led Mets were a mess prior to a second-half tear, though, and indications are the ax will fall on him in the wake of a another non-playoff season.
- The Cubs will consider Raul Ibanez for the managerial post Joe Maddon just lost, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Ibanez, a former major league outfielder, has no managerial experience. However, the 47-year-old has stayed in the game since his playing days ended in 2014 by serving as a special assistant in the Dodgers’ front office and a broadcaster. The work Ibanez has done in his post-playing career has made him an appealing possibility to skipper-needy teams over the past couple years, though he turned down managerial interview requests from clubs last offseason.
- The Pirates, who fired manager Clint Hurdle on Sunday, will “likely” consider hiring Twins bench coach Derek Shelton as his replacement, Morosi tweets. Currently in his second season with the Twins, the 49-year-old Shelton has garnered extensive coaching experience over the past decade and a half. Plus, as Morosi notes, Shelton has an important Pittsburgh connection in general manager Neal Huntington. The two of them worked in the Cleveland organization together from 2005-07.
- The Reds’ player development system is undergoing significant changes, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer details. Outfield/baserunning coordinator Billy Hatcher, Triple-A manager Jody Davis, Triple-A pitching coach Jeff Fassero, Double-A pitching coach Danny Darwin and hitting coordinator Milt Thompson are all on the way out. The longest-tenured Red of the bunch was Hatcher, who was one of the organization’s coaches for 14 years.
Cubs should target David Ross.
Ha, and then they’re gonna hire Ryne Sandburg next.
Ryne Sandburg is a head case he’s the worst case scenario
Why an inexperienced manager?
I am not promoting hiring Ross, as I don’t really care much who they hire, but the argument for hiring experienced managers is not all that valid anymore, at least in my opinion. Boone had no real managing experience and he has excelled in his post. I think it’s more about finding the right personality and the right fit with the organizational philosophy rather than focusing on past experience, at least as being an actual manager. Hell, managers probably win/lose 4 or 5 games a year, most of their job is behind the scenes and with the media. It’s more about promoting a desirable club culture than making the right bullpen moves (there are stats for that).
Exactly this. They just have to manage clubhouse personalities over all of the flights and emotional wins/losses while playing the odds according to a cheatsheet from the front office.
Managers may not win their teams many games, but they can certainly lose a bunch. Think of how much more likely the Phillies would have been to make the playoffs if they had a competent manager who didn’t continually overthink everything and lose the clubhouse in the process.
Idk man that bullpen is suspect. The rotation after nola is really pedestrian would you trust this team in the playoffs? I dont. They can hit tho.
Ever notice that a lot of players who become managers were either backup catchers or light hitting, utility guys for the bulk of their playing careers? This is no coincidence. These guys spent a ton of time watching the action from the dugout, observing and chatting with the coaches and managers.
typically they’re not particularly talented… they usually had to grind their way to the majors the hard way which gives them perspective.
Epstein wants a manager who will listen to his direction and use sabermetrics; Maddon had issues with both.
They could hire Mickey- he resembles an inexperienced manager who posses smooth talk and no real bite.
Not a Callaway fan but he might have done enough to keep his job 1 more year.
No he hasn’t. He’s incompetent. That’s not going to improve.
I tend to agree. Brodie fired Mickey’s pitching and bullpen coaches mid-season. That was a warning to Mickey. The Mets went 46-26 after the All-Star Break. He has the support of his players. I think he’s there one more season. The question is, though, will the “Vulture” (nickname on jersey during players’ weekend) be back. He’s 82 and was likely an interim replacement for Eiland. Regan righted the ship for a number of their pitchers, but does he want to do it for another season?
“He has the support of his players.”
Does he? He just got into a rather asinine public spat with Noah Syndergaard over who is catching for Noah. The numbers are on Noah’s side and Ramos, as all catchers do, needs days off. Yet Mickey dug his heels in and continued to say that Ramos will catch Noah, which makes his player look bad in the media. A real manager would have handled that in-house and not let it get to the public level.
Callaway is a terrible in game Manager. He seemed confused on bullpen usage and double switches. In addition, his line up moves were often baffling. Yeah good second half but in his two seasons at the helm they have yet to put together a “complete” season. The Mets are close but they need someone who will push a little harder. Callaway needs to go.
Ask his wife after he takes his teeth out before going to bed.
GM,maybe he should be gone.Bullpen was the problem,blowing late inning games.You can only play with who you have.Owners open up your wallet and get real free agents not over the hill ones.Oh those late innings loses
But the GM isn’t going anywhere. It’s an interesting question. They had a great 2nd half despite the bullpen being terrible. Yes, Mickey made some bad moves, but he had them playing well despite their terrible bullpen.
U probably right. I’d take hurdle or Maddon tho
Ross was a below average player who had a good World Series and now he should be a manager? I just don’t get the logic.
carzylarry,
Managers are hired for their brains, communication, organizational, motivational and in-game operating skills
While a good playing career is instant credibility in the short term, it’s ultimately unnecessary. Some of the best managers have never played in the majors. Managing is about leading, executing and getting the most out of every player. while putting the team first.
David Ross is highly respected, very astute and well-liked. Catchers offer some of the best know-how and experience to a managerial position. They work closely with pitchers throughout their careers, have workloads and responsibilities others don’t – good preparation for future MLB manager and is thus, bonus,
Kevin Cash was a terrible player but a great manager.
Ditto AJ Hinch and many other managers. You don’t have to be a good player to be a good manager
Mike Scioscia, scott Servais. Nobby valentine the list goes on and on.
Except Scioscia was an excellent catcher and a decent hitter for a catcher.
Crazy Larry Tony LaRussa Tommy Lasorda Earl Weaver Bobby Cox are examples of players who never amounted to much but they sure were fine managers.
It’s kinda easy to succeed in the managers position if you have a team like the Yankees if your new to managing not so much if it’s a team like let’s say the pirates
I remember last season so many people wanted Boone fired.
The Reds should clean house.All those top 5 picks and nothing to show for it. The Cards pick after the Reds every year and have a much deeper farm system. No one in reds entire farm system will make this hapless team in 2020.
That right fielder aristedes seems like a keeper. The pitcher that hits hrs lorenzen looks good, nick Denzel looked good. The red have a few players in the minors too.
The reds are in tough division they’re creeping waiting on the cubs to finally rebuild. As a mets fan you guys have a. Very decent foundation
Derek Shelton, after looking at his phone’s caller ID: “Tire world. Sorry, Neal, I got a guy on the other line interested in some white walls.”
Hahaha. Best post ever!!!!
This is why Neal Huntington should have been released with Hurdle. Even ownership of the Pirates needs to be driven out of Pittsburgh. As a fan, I won’t be buying anything with the Pirates name on it. From tickets to merchandise! I am over how the Pirates organization is run and refuse to support another 20 years of losing! There is no ownership to help the front office down to the roster. I may jump ship and become a A’s fan. At least Billy Beane knows how to put a winning team in the field!
As a Braves fan I hope the Mets keep Calloway for a long time. Gives away at least 5 games a year.
Not gonna happen. Bvw did not hire mickey 2020 maybe his last season at the helm. I dont get this ny hate I’m a mets fan I’m rooting for the braves in the playoffs. I want the title to come home to the NL east.
The braves are a well ran org. Although the previous gm did do some shady stuff. It’s only a matter of time until we field a great team we are good now but not great.
I think Pirate fans will be happy this winter. There’s a new CBA coming; the Pirates are the one team (of the four) the MLBPA are after that really have no defense for their 75M payroll. The Rays and A’s can point to their successes; the Marlins’ situation is at least understandable; there’s little defense for the Pirates payroll.
So they’re going to spend some money, getting payroll up to the 95-100M range. Will they spend it wisely? Now THAT’S the question.
That right fielder aristedes seems like a keeper. The pitcher that hits hrs lorenzen looks good, nick Denzel looked good. The red have a few players in the minors too.
The reds are in tough division they’re creeping waiting on the cubs to finally rebuild. As a mets fan you guys have a. Very decent foundation
I sure hope that the Bucs don’t hire Shelton. He’s been a hitting coach with the Indians and the Rays. Fired both times because his philosophy is not high contact rates. Not sure how this translates to the manager position but any connection with Huntington cannot be a good one. Need a fresh face.
He is rested and ready. That’s right. Herman Franks for manager.
I could see scoscia going to either Pittsburgh or Philly. Not as a manager but maybe as a gm or talent advisor. Debatable if he was a great player but he was a hell of a manager who if he was aloud to continue to coach the way he wanted to would of had the angels in more playoffs. If he is given the chance to mentor coach or evaluate the way he was taught then he might bring at least a chance to the woeful pirates or Philly. If the Mets are such a mess then why not Jessica Mendoza try a shot at coaching. She has the inside to alot of the talent and other teams being in the booth for so long
Inexperienced managers have done well at Tampa, Minnesota, the Dodgers, Cardinals, Yankees, Red Sox and the Braves. Why pay big bucks for Madden, Scioscia or Girardi?
True about the rookie managers. But there is a case for the “hired gun” guys too.
To the people who say that Callaway mishandled pitchers, please cite instances and explain what his alternatives were. Fully explain the surrounding circumstances. Who was available, how they were doing in previous outings, the physical aches and pain they were experiencing, up coming schedule.
Managing a staff isn’t like managing a fantasy team.
Keeping high priced egos on the same page
Refusing to throw players under the bus publicly.
All of these things are even harder in a media dominated city like NY.
Because of the internet and TV exposure fans don’t need the media to tell them what they had just observed. Therefore the reporters have to become critics in order to get people to read their stories. They therefore act as experts in saying what the manager should or shouldn’t have done.
If you look at the teams that are in the playoffs, you will not see fire brand type managers but men who are excellent at motivating and at the same time keeping distractions to a minimum. Not an easy job in a city like NY.
I guess the Yankees don’t play in ny? Or Cora getting a ring in Boston, or how about la in the playoffs every year? Distractions should never be an excuse for a manager. No matter where they manage. As for the pitching, he did greatly misuse his bullpen. The fact that Diaz was still used as a typical closer till mid August is just silly, but he over used lugo and gman last year and did the same thing to gman this April, as well as Diaz this April which probably didn’t help. He might not have had much to work with, but taking out starters at low pitch counts which happened a number of times never helps, especially when the starters are the strength and the bullpen is the weakness. I can’t list the date and time of these instances but if you watched them everyday you wouldn’t be posting what you did. Do you want to give him one more year since the team didn’t quit on him and he helped rally and impressive comeback this year, fine, that can be a good argument or debate, but to say he didn’t misuse the pitching staff is bonkers.
Pirates brought in Jeff Bannister for a reason, I hope it doesn’t happen though. Bannister was horrible in Texas.
of course it will happen, he was always the plan b, lmao
these idiots are so transparent
The pirates will hits a manager based on price.
If the Dodgers don’t win the WS, could Roberts be out? Maddon to Dodgers to rejoin his old GM from Tampa?