10:15 pm: The Red Sox have considered Mets’ bench coach Hensley Meulens for the position, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). It’s unclear if the sides have yet arranged for a formal interview. As Heyman points out, Meulens might find himself in consideration for the top job in New York as well.
8:45 pm: The Red Sox are one of three teams surprisingly on the hunt for a manager in January. Unlike the Astros and Mets, to whom some early names have been tied, Boston’s search for a skipper has been quiet the past few days.
It seems Boston may not name a replacement for Alex Cora any time soon. Speaking to reporters (including Chris Cotillo of MassLive), Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy allowed that Boston could enter spring training without a manger in place. The Sox “would like” to have the position settled by then, Kennedy said, but it’s not a mandate. Indeed, as of Friday, the Red Sox had yet to reach out to other clubs to seek permission to interview external candidates (via Cotillo). Boston is vetting its internal candidates first, Kennedy explained (Twitter link), but the club plans to cast a wide net in its search.
If the Red Sox were to hire from within, bench coach Ron Roenicke seems a logical option. The former Brewers’ skipper has been Cora’s bench coach the past two seasons. He’s no doubt familiar with much of Boston’s current roster. (The 2018 Red Sox are themselves under investigation related to sign stealing allegations, of course, but there’s no reason to believe at this point that Roenicke will be implicated). Red Sox coaches, in fact, seem to believe Roenicke would be the frontrunner if Boston stays internal, notes Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe (Twitter link).
Former Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell would have interest in the position, he tells Rob Bradford of WEEI, but only under a unique circumstance. Lowell’s interest would be conditional on his serving as a bridge to a Cora return in 2021. “I would love to (manage) if I knew it was just for a year and Cora was guaranteed to come back,” Lowell told Bradford. Of course, such a scenario seems far-fetched at the moment. Cora hasn’t yet been disciplined by Major League Baseball for his role in the respective sign stealing scandals, but a suspension is almost certainly forthcoming. Further, there’s no indication the organization would have interest in exploring such an arrangement.
The situation is no doubt a difficult and unexpected one for first-year chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. The next steps for the Red Sox (and the Astros and Mets, as well) will be fascinating to follow. It seems Bloom and the rest of Boston’s front office are prepared to take their time sorting things out.
I wonder who will take the spot
Yeah, I too wonder.
I also wonder.
I’m thinking either Hinch or Beltrán
I am thinking you are a troll
I just was thinking that perhaps the RS plan for Cora to return once this blows over n if possibly the team is found that nothing went on.
I’m surprised HOU, NYM and BOS are even trying to scramble to hire new managers. I’d think they’d just promote their bench coaches and have them manage on an interim basis for a year then have a full offseason to reevaluate.
Surprise.
Fans of their team and others would criticize such a move because it looks like they’re not trying to fix the cheating; the bench coaches would have been involved in the cheating as well at the time
Mets are uniquely qualified among the three to promote their bench coach, as he had not coached alongside Beltran before.
I agree the optics would be worse for BOS and much worse for HOU to promote from within.
Agree agentx unless some of the Mets’ present staff has a Houston coonection with Beltran.
Well, except for the Astros whose 2017 Bench Coach is the about to be suspended Cora.
@valkyrie
The Astros were alleged to have cheated for more than just 2017
angt222 They probably want someone new to be the main guy of their coaching staff’s. Replacing the fired managers with different guys who were also around during the cheating and in on it doesn’t look as good as replacing them with fresh hires that have no connection to the scandal.
Bobby Valentine reunion!
John Ferrell reunion!
Keep going until you spell it correctly.
Spelling is so important on a sports site. Glad I didn’t spell it c-I-t-e or s-I-g-h-t. As far as Farrell, I’ve made that comment before as I believe it should be an interim appointment and then the team starts over in November. Note: on one prior posting, I spelled his name F-a-r-e-l-l.
A.J. Pierzynski
Roenicke was second in command while the cheating occurred. he’s out. Baker, Gibbons, Socia, Showalter.
I want this just for the ensuing circus.
Alleged cheating. Nothing has been proven
Dozens of people who were involved have said they were cheating. But yeah, nothing has been “proven”.
Great point Lostson
The legal system would call that “hearsay”
“dozens” – really? Name one with first-hand knowledge.
JDM came out and denied things. Why wouldn’t he have kept his mouth shut if he knew of “something”? I could simply be naive in hoping for the best but JDM is not one who normally gives quotes to see his name in the media like so many others. Time will tell and if the proof comes out, MLB needs to be tough on players, not only for what they did but if caught in lies, for the coverup and lies afterwards. What a Boston ownership said after letting Cora go suggests to me either Cora did nothing wrong in Boston or he has the goods to show whatever happened was sanctioned by ownership. I still wonder if DD’s departure before the end of the year was because of the alleged cheating assuming the team got wind of things then. Perhaps he was involved or the opposite. Maybe he wanted Cora gone then. Same thing with Nolan Ryan leaving Houston before the end of the year. I think more will eventually come out. Note: I realize DD was hired in August but back then, he was suddenly available and the Sox pounced on him before other teams could. Just my nickel’s worth (My lengthy post was more than two cents but many probably want me to pay them after reading my full post). Time to get dressed and go to work…
Did you miss where all Houston players denied everything?
Beltrán denied everything… publicly
Houston players even CALLED OTHER PLAYERS TO LIE TO THEM
Yeah Boston would be totally honest
After that you would have to be really intelligent to make similar denials if they weren’t true. Time will tell, in today’s world with HD cameras and boom mikes everywhere, it’s stupidly to deny when it’s so easy to prove. In the Sox situation, it’s alleged they cheated behind the scene so to speak but with ex-teammates now coming out, again it would be nuts. The old police blue wall is coming down. I’ve said it before, if that were the case thirty years or so ago, the PED toothpaste would have been easier to clean up even if it couldn’t be cleaned up. With no penalties by MLB, players should just admit what they did, seek foregiveness and try to move on. The denial and cover up will only make things worse. Strange how the players cheated and their manager who from the accounts I read was not for it but ignored it lost his job. Says a lot about the character of those involved players. Same thing in Boston. Teams get a pass until after Watchgate when the league gave written notice. Zero tolerance after that and such in my view should include the players. There’s a saying, if it quacks and looks like a duck, it probably is. Trying to get an edge is fine but teams can seek guidance from the league on those gray issue matters.Sort of like what parents try to teach their kids, better to ask first but when no one is home if you have to ask, it’s best simply not to do.
*Even if it couldn’t be put back into the tube. Should have read the pist before saving. My bad on that. Wasn’t intentional but I took the high road to get ahead of the negative feedback that might have come back…
The Astros have been under investigation all offseason. Olney said players were talking to other players- lying to them- just weeks before the punishment came down
You’re extremely naive if you think people won’t lie to cover their own behinds until the very moment they’re caught red handed
They were lying, to friends, this offseason about 2017, mid investigation, in private conversations! Get off your high moral horse for another group of highly suspected cheaters
But after causing your manager to lose his job? There’s been a free grace period for players. Maybe it’s time for MLB to go to the union the free ride ends with the next CBA, to me this is a lockout/strike type of issue. Then give players one more chance to come clean.
Roenicke wasn’t involved
if the Sox hire Gibbons I will give up on baseball. Living in Toronto I got to witness his terrible managing first hand. Please, for the love of dog, no.
Every manager has his critics. If they listened to fans, no experienced manager would ever be hired.
I had a favorable opinion of Roenicke until this.
He either knew what was going on or is too clueless to manage. I’d wager the former.
Who is Socia?
I was guessing Scioscia
(?)
John Ferrell reunion!
TEK!
I second this. If he does a good job maybe keep him as the manager? I’m a huge fan of having a manager who is relatable to player like Cora and Francona.
Grady Little reunion?
Just curious. How close has Tek’s ties to the team been over the years since he retired? btw, I respect Tek as a competitor. Guy has heart.
Seems like a bad idea to go into ST without a MGR.
Was just thinking the same
I’m sure Bloom wants to make the “right” choice but not making one at all to start camp could be disastrous. I’m thinking about the fallout from a manager coming in midway after a team is taking direction from someone then possibly have a complete different chemistry. Just seems odd a team would want that.
Red Sox really wanted to punt on this season anyway. Having no manager in place is really going to help with that cause.
I have never heard anything so stupid in all my life.
I agree. Isn’t this also the same team who their fans criticized for not using starters enough last ST to get ready for the season?
Roenicke has a solid background. I like a Roenicke-Varitek dugout in 2020.
I like that idea too. How would you feel about Veritek and Lowell with the Lowell as bench coach? Although experience like you mentioned would be vital imo.
I’m not a fan of the no-dugout-experience hires. For example, I think David Ross will have a steep learning curve in Chicago this year. The Lowell offer is a nice gesture and well intentioned, but impractical.
Yeah cause Dave Roberts has been a train wreck with the Dodgers
“Yeah cause” Dave Roberts is running out of room for all his World Series trophies.
Mets like Dusty Baker, Astros seem to like Buck Showalter, Red Sox haven’t even started. Three managerial openings in a week, that’s the cost of a giant cheating scandal
How about Rusney Castillo?
Bring back Blake Swihart!!!!!!!!!
Actually, Mikey Lowell’s been mentioned….nice idea.
A+
Thank you for this
+1 at least we’d get something out of him
MLBTR should cover the sports book that just refunded 100% of 2019 ALCS and World Series futures due to the cheating scandal.
cbssports.com/mlb/news/sportsbook-refunding-all-20…
People who lost bets on games at Minute Maid in the 2017 playoffs should definitely sue the A*tros
anyone who bet against the Astros after the season they had in 2017 shouldn’t be allowed to gamble anyway. and at some point people betting on the games with half a brain probably adjusted to how the astros were playing anyway. dont gamble, that’s the moral of this story.
I was thinking the moral is “don’t cheat,” but anything to deflect, right??
I feel like the Red Sox want to promote Roenicke but are waiting for MLB to finish their investigation. The optics would be terrible (not that they aren’t already) if they named Roenicke the new manager only for him to be implicated in the sign stealing scandal. And while a job is a job, I’m sure there is some hesitation from external candidates until the punishment for the Red Sox is handed down.
You are completely right.
solid post. you bring up a great point.
i heard johnny rocker was gonna interview for the new trash can position.
Hire Carl Everett
Izzy Alcantara
Greg Blosser
Varitek….
Aw, they want a high draft pick…
Bucky Dent.
Sam Fuld. Former player. New Englander.
no thanks. he stays right here in Philly for now.
John Henry should just manage the team himself.
Merloni—player, radio guy—background similar to Aaron Boone. He’s done a pretty good job.
Merloni—player, radio guy—background similar to Aaron Boone. He’s done a pretty good job.
i dont buy the idea that an internal guy would bother the fanbases as much as is made out to be. if the guy was culpable he wouldnt still be on the staff to begin with, manager or otherwise. and lets remember these were 1st time offenses. these guys are smart enough to not do the same thing again, knowing the punishments will be stricter. no, no reason to hire an outside guy if they arent the best option, but that’s just my outside opinion.
I agree, I feel like the bench coaches know the ins and outs already and they could all do pretty good for those three teams. Maybe the other comments know this too and want to sabotage lol
Sleeper candidate: Kevin Youkilis
Ooo. Good one!
Youk seems content brewing beer and fighting with youth baseball coaches on twitter about hitting.
I wonder if Joe Torre would be interested in a return to management for one of the 3 joobs available? Can there be a candidate more trustworthy than him?
Or older ??
He’s exactly the type of person who could bring the stability and credibility you’d want. I doubt he would be interested in managing again though at nearly 80 years old. That’s the kind of candidate I’d like to see if I were a fan of one of these teams though.
Jason Varitek would be my first choice
Yeah let’s head to ST without a manager???? WTF !! The Red Sox are a complete joke right now. Henry needs to sell and get out.
How will the players ever learn to bunt or know what the indicator sign is if there’s no manager!?!?
Dusty Baker / Boston
Hensley Meulins / Mets
Buck Showalter / Astros
Poor Chaim Bloom
Get a move on. If Roeneke is your guy let it be known ASAP. Don’t ask him to interim manage while they continue to search into April that makes no sense.
Wonder what the availability is for Clint Hurdle. Been a guy mentioned as a manager for the Mets in the past and has lead struggling clubs (COL, PIT) to the postseason before.
Nvm he retired from baseball in November.
IMHO, both Boston and The Astros would be wise to hire outside the organization. In Boston’s case, they have no idea how deep the MLB investigation will take them, and an internal candidate may be suspended before he even gets started. In the Astros’ case, everybody on the coaching staff knew what was going on, and an outside candidate would help remove lingering doubts about their desire to clean up their act.
I actually lost total respect for Cora when he got involved in that political nonsense of criticism of the President. He got involved in that ridiculous claim that over 3,000 people died in the hurricane in Puerto Rico. If that many people died there would have Ben a desperation call for coroners, body bags, coffins ⚰️, and refrigeration units to keep the bodies cold until burial. Pier to Rico has been a corrupt government run state for years. They tied up relief aid because they wanted to charge taxes to trailers of relief aid coming in. Food actually rotted in trailers because of the is.
He did not visit the Wounded Warrior at Walter Reed Hospital.
He took it easy on the pitchers in Spring Training and it showed all season long in poor performance.
Now this sign stealing cheating scandal.
I have really had enough of Cora already. I am very appreciative of the 2018 World Series Win but I am hoping that it is not tainted.
@AL34 get off twitter and read books instead
Jason Varitek has experience with cheaters since he tuned up aroid rageguez in 2004.
Plus he played the position that seems to be so popular with the current cheaters.
I can’t imagine a catcher not being annoyed with the cheating so maybe he’s a good call to clean up the Red Sox act. They have a good team even if they don’t pull any shenanigans.
Yet again. What’s it been? Two hours since your last hate remark? You’re OBSESSED.
Yeah, why didn’t Varitek turn in Manny and Big PEDi?
Cause Manny, Papi and others didn’t cheat then…LoL. Sadly every team had PED users then. No excuse, just a fact. And to think the recovery after the strike led to more eyeballs and higher prices. Imagine what the league would look like if congress didn’t force the issue. Many puck on government but sadly the scandals now just continue to show the game can’t police itself. Too much money at stake. Players, coaches, management. Every level needs a higher authority to prevent abuse. Even the owners. They have the union on one hand and the government on the other.
*pick on government.
Mike Lowell is such a tool
Bloom is on top of it–we should have an answer within a few days.
He’s going to hire Tyler Flowers?
He’s a snail. We won’t hear anything by then.
Pedro Martinez 2020
Tek-Coach
Papi-Bench Coach
Pedro-Pitching Coach
Manny-Hitting Coach
Big PEDi/Manny – roid/PED Coach
Just cannot believe these stupid bone head writers voting for Bonds and Clemmens for HOF — thats insulting to the players that are in the HOF
Players who are in the HOF don’t care even 1/10000000th as much as you do.
Because most of them are dead.
Not ban them, just my choice not read them. Not a right/wrong thing…
Amen. I have a list of those writers to boycott, and not click.
Making lists of journalists you want to ban huh? That’s totally not fascism or anything.
Grow up. YOU are wrong.
You must be anti-pro choice Strike Four. It’s Fonzo’s choice not to follow certain writers regardless of the validity if his/her reason.
Anyway, you’re still a dolt.
Would love to change the voting system. To vote for a player because of WAR is just stupid. I heard today that Lou Whittaker had a higher WAR than Reggie Jackson. Sorry Lou who was a very good player but case closed. Voters should have to take time to investigate the players or perhaps the MLB HOF should provide electronic files on each. Not too hard to do in today’s world.
And America becomes more Russian
Hahahahhahaha oh lord
What about those that haven’t made it because their stats don’t look as good now or what about those unfortunate ones who lost an opportunity and contract to another who cheated? Schilling said it best, if he doesn’t make it and remains on the outside with Luis Tiant and others, that’s not that bad.
Billy McMillon. He has been with the organization for 13 years and has worked his way up from managing in the low minors to their Triple A affiliate last year. He has EARNED a shot and DESERVES to be the choice. There is no other candidate that is even close to being more qualified than him. Heaven forbid that the Red Sox hire somebody based on talent and QUALIFICATIONS.
Lowell kind of proving why he should never be a manager, imagine thinking Cora is only going to get a 1 year suspension, like how dumb do you have to be to think that?
If Cora is cleared of wrongdoing in 2018–a big “if,” I know—and is suspended for a year or two for his conduct with the Astros, I would support seeing him come back to Fenway. I’d welcome Lowell or Varitek as interim managers until Cora returns.
Would rather have Hinch.
Same post the last 3 days. Oh that’s right it is BOSTON.
“It seems Bloom and the rest of Boston’s front office are prepared to take their time sorting things out.”
That’s for sure. No sense of urgency. Move your asses !
I recommend Curly Howard.
We need Moe posts like this.
Would the Mets really allow Meulens to interview for a manager job at this point? Then they’d need to replace a second person.
It’s so pathetic that Mike Lowell would even make a comment like that about managing the Red Sox for 1 year until Alex Cora comes back?
Alex Cora is never coming back to Boston.
Anybody that thinks he is is in denial.
Whether Alex did all this by himself or he is the fall guy is the question?
And if he’s the fall guy then he takes the fall.
No one involved wants this issue reopened.
If they reopen it then players will start taking the fall.
Get the coach on the Savannah Bananas!
Bam Bam?