The latest managerial buzz from around baseball…
- Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is “leaning toward” retaining manager Aaron Boone at the moment, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports. A Wild Card exit and a regular season that likely didn’t live up to lofty fan expectations (despite 92 wins) has made Boone an increasingly large target for ire among the fanbase, but Olney suggests Steinbrenner does not place the blame at Boone’s feet. Of course, his return (or departure) is a two-way street due to the fact that Boone’s contract expires at season’s end. The Mets and Padres will both be looking for new skippers, and it’s at least possible another opening could yet emerge. Someone with Boone’s experience could also draw interest from clubs in a variety of front-office roles, if he wished to go that route. Boone said last week that he “loves” being the Yankees’ skipper and “going to work with this group of players.”
- If Boone did happen to leave the Yankees, Olney hears from rival executives that Astros bench coach Joe Espada could be one of the candidates to become New York’s next manager. Espada is a known commodity in the Bronx, having worked from 2014-2017 as a special assistant to GM Brian Cashman and then as the team’s third base coach. Espada was considered by the Cubs, Angels, and Giants for their recent managerial openings, and he was one of the finalists (and reportedly the favorite at one point late in the hiring process) for the San Francisco job that eventually went to Gabe Kapler.
- Buck Showalter’s name has come up in speculative fashion as the Mets and the Padres begin their searches for a new skipper, and the 64-year-old definitively tells Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic that he does not consider himself retired from managing. Showalter says it’s “an honor” just to be mentioned as a candidate in ongoing managerial searches but adds that he has yet to be contacted by either club. The former Yankees, D-backs, Orioles and Rangers skipper says he would “never dictate a situation” by refusing to manage a rebuilding club, interestingly adding that he’d have happily taken a pay cut to stay on as the Orioles’ skipper throughout the rebuild but was never asked. Showalter fans will want to check out the Q&A in its entirety for his thoughts on working live TV broadcasts, his time with the O’s and the recent trend toward more experienced managers.
The best place for Showalter on-paper would seem to be San Diego. He has a good track record w younger teams and has a good relationship w Machado. However, don’t think he’d be a good match w AJ Preller.
Too bad, he’d get them playing…..
Took MLB a while, but they finally have begun to realize the value in experienced managers.
I feel like that is particularly true with Showalter. I think he has been underappreciated his entire career. It takes times like these for people to look back and say “who was that one guy who used to win all the time?” I’m all for new blood and new ideas. I think all professional sports leagues are guilty of cronyism and recycling uninspiring coaches. But Buck Showalter is no retread. I believe he has usually worn out his welcome by demanding that his bosses be as committed as he is. I hope he finds an opportunity to show his talents again.
Reminds me that Showalter took the 1995 Yanks to the playoffs as a wildcard and was rewarded by being fired. So sure Torre was great but maybe Showalter would have had those 4 rings instead.
Idk, i watched the broadcast Showalter did between the Astros/White Sox. He seems out of touch, blasting the shifts. I know most of managing is player connections/motivation, which he might bring, but to not be open to the most basic analytics reflects bad on him.
Thankfully the over shift should be gone next year players will have to play their positions but these are professional hitters and should be able to adjust at least as best they can considering pitchers are so dang good they know where to throw to you to make you hit it where they have their infielders lined up. Still though without the 2nd baseman playing shallow right field and being forced to have 2 infielders on each side of second base will most certainly benefit the hitters way more which I think is what they hope will bring in more fans with more hitting
Well said. I see so many people on the fence about becoming baseball fans, and the main reason always comes back to the shift. But i don’t know if MLB is ready for this tailwind; eliminating the shift might bring in too many new fans, and i just don’t think MLB will be able to handle this newfound popularity.
I would like to point out that the Pirates were the first team to TRULY shift as we see it now
Teams were shifting on Ted Williams in the 50’s.
Ted Williams beat the shift once with an inside-the-park-homer.
@tstats
Sorry if you couldnt detect my obvious, over-the-top, sarcastic comment
Ted also only 2 times hit below .320 (not counting 2 years fighting in a war). Had an OBP between ,400 to *500*+ every year he wasn’t in Korea.
Teddy Ballgame is the worst example anyone, especially Yankee fans can bring up for the shift, even if it’s supposed to be targeted towards Ted by it’s design.
He did admit it may have “whittled” (his word) in his book My Turn at Bat years ago from his career numbers, then you take and compare the post Boudreau stats, when some shifts were employed as to before and there is little difference. Still .450+-.500 OBP seasons, the same well over .300 averages, same power in not so friendly (for lefty) park.
So there’s that, @goastros123.
Helluva fly fisher too.
Best of luck to your club in the LCS. I sort of hate both those teams. But. Someone has to win.
I remember seeing a stat compiled a few years back that something like 40% of Ted Williams’ hits were either up the middle or to the left side. He no doubt loved to pull the ball, but he was a great hitter. He’d take advantage of any holes on the defense.
Ducky – Just remember, only ONE of those two teams cheated your Yankees out of a World Series.
For that reason alone, you should be rooting for your divisional brothers.
That way you can feel better knowing your team lost to the AL Champs.
Man.
I’m rooting for the Braves.
Although, I’m really not watching much baseball. Didn’t see any of the ALDS. I’ve caught some West Coast baseball after the day’s outdoor activities. & I’m also being disappointed by Big Blue. Which is another familiar autumnal project.
No because they are both cheater. Cora was the leader of the pack remember
Yeah I really don’t get what the big deal is about the shift, I have no problem with it.
They did it to Ortiz all the time, didn’t matter as he usually hit the ball over the infield. Or he would bunt, which is something I think players should do more often to discourage the shift.
Yeah. They shifted to a strategy of getting rid of all their talent.
And today they shift on .205 hitters. And Williams could BEAT the shift even when hitting into it. That’s not the case with guys not named Ted Williams.
You never know, Padres could give Tony Gwynn a shot at managing. I doubt the league is switching it up and going for the older managers. Granted Astros are doing well with Baker, but Astros have been pretty good well before him. Getting a guy like Ron Washington to help Padres young guys, is not a good idea. Tony La Russa just had a humiliating series in best of 5. Padres will need someone who is updated on how modern baseball is ran. From metrics to advanced electrical technology, baseball is becoming a computer. Here in a few years, robotic umpires will be calling the strike zone. Changing of times
I would like Junior as Skipper but I think it’s going to Wash, Buck or Boch. Good call though; if not for those 3 top candidates then I would suggest the Pads promote an ex-player. Never-ran non-players like Tingler and Green were never cutting it here. I think Wash would be open to maintaining the metrics of the team whilst he manages to the best of his gut-ability. Stoked to see who we get if indeed it’s one of those 3!
You want to exhume Tony Gwynn?
I did a double-take on PirateFan’s comment. I’m hoping it was facetious. In any case, RIP to #19. I’m a Dodger fan now after years in LA, but I grew up watching Gwynn’s sweet swing at Jack Murphy.
Lots of them refused to adapt to analytics in the beginning. What you’re seeing now is the ones that have accepted that it’s part of their job now are getting jobs.
LaRussa likely will be available.
He’s 77 years old, let him re-retire.
I’m hoping uncle Jerry Reinsdorf brings his good buddy back next year.
The best place for Bucky is a retirement home. He’s OLD
The culture than Boone has brought forth and continues to inhibit within the organization is an utter joke. Coddling players when they clearly need a jolt to get them going (Torres, Sanchez, etc.) is clearly not working. That’s what got Girardi fired but guess what, Girardi got a team giving regular reps to Starlin Castro, Chase Headley and Ronald Torreyes one game away from a trip to the World Series. Boone’s 98 win regular season average is meaningless considering this team got embarrassed and flat outclassed by their biggest rivals, once during a year when that Boston team was projected to REBUILD. A culture shock needs to take place sooner rather than later in this organization. Boone is clearly not going to lead a charge, but neither is Steinbrenner or Cashman, so that’s that.
If Boone comes back next year, I swear I’ll…….
…just keep watching because I’m a complete sucker who will always watch the Yanks & Jints.
I’m with you Ducky! Just hope we spend some money to improve our beloved Yanks!!
My grandfather was taking me to The Stadium to watch the Yankees & Giants since before I can remember.
I’m too far gone, @Mick.
So cool!! By the way I was in Fenway Park, the day that you hit that home run. I was sitting in the right field bleachers and I never thought it was going to be a homer. Still the best baseball game I ever saw. Actually I lived in Boston for 19 years it’s a great city.
That’s awesome, Mick.
I remember running home from the bus to catch the end of the game. I actually watched it again for the first time sitting in my boat on a slow day last February. It didn’t look like it was going to get out, did it?
& yeah.
Boston makes my list of Great American Cities.
Red Sox beat the Rays too. So don’t feel bad. I hope they beat the Astros just so we see a different team in the world series.
Huh? The Red Sox would be a “different” team in the world series? Um, have you missed the last seventeen years?
red sox are good!
The entire AL East was probably the best division I’ve ever seen. 4 teams that were markedly better than the White Sox & – at least – as good as HOU. & all whom could have gotten hot & gone on a real playoff run. Almost seems improper that there is only one team from that division left.
Ducky, think of it this way.
O’s lost 110 including a 20-56 divisional record. If they spend a little bit of money, especially on the pitching, with the young talent they’ve got and more on the way next year, I can see 65 wins for them (13 win increase).
Jays should be even better if Springer is healthy and they re-sign at least one of their top two free agents, and playing all their home games in Canada will help them too.
Tampa should be about the same talent-wise, they overachieved a little this year but a full season of Wander will help them maintain.
Sox should improve with a full healthy season of Sale and full season of Houck, and no Covid breakout hopefully.. I also think they’ll spend for one premium free agent.
NYY should improve with a healthy Severino, a rebound year for DJ, and a couple big free agent signings.
Still, I expect 4 teams with about 90-94 because Baltimore will win 6 more games against their divisional rivals.
Tampa will not go 18-1 again against the O’s, probably 15-4.
O’s will probably win 6 or 7 against each of the other divisional rivals.
End result, I picture the AL East to look something like this:
Red Sox 95-67 +3
Rays 94-68 -6
Yankees 93-69 1
BlueJays 92-70 1
Orioles 65-97. +13
Even though the Sox, Yanks and Jays should improve I think Baltimore’s improvement will negate some of the other teams’ improvement.
This is why I think they need to go back to a more balanced schedule, at least having each AL team play non-division AL teams 10 each and then play divisional rivals 11 times each and 18 interleague games each.
You simply can’t have two wildcards based on record when some teams have a much harder schedule than others.
Best division in MLB.
& I will be surprised if both wild cards don’t come out of the East again next year. Too many good teams/players. We’re pretty lucky. Good games all summer.
I appreciate your breakdown and assessment, Guy.
I think Cashman just been with the organization for too long, he put the roster together. I wouldn’t fire a manager for making the playoffs with this roster and averaging 98 wins a season during his tenure. I would fire a general manager for the team not winning the World Series since 2009 and putting a player like Garrett Whitlock in the Rule 5 draft for my enemy to pick up. That must be painful to watch, if Whitlock is in their bullpen he could of closed instead of Chapman and who knows where this team finishes….
Pretty sure Boone is coming back as the article suggests. The problem is much higher up. Hal seems to consider a successful season one where he makes money. His father would be horrified at that as a goal. George wasn’t appreciated when he was alive. Haven’t heard any rumors that the Steinbrenner’s are looking to sell. Without an owner who is committed to winning the manager and to a far lesser extent the GM doesn’t matter all that much. Whether you think Cashman has done a good job or not, it’s time for him to leave. It’s just time for someone with new ideas and new strategies. Many congratulated him at the trade deadline for his moves, but we ended up trading many good prospects for 1/3 of a season of Rizzo and Holmes. We got stuck with Gallo who just doesn’t fit the role they put him in. He’s a # 8 hitter on a good team. He lacks the chops to bat in the middle of the order. I am reluctantly resigned to Boone’s return.
I’m not sure your depiction of Hal is as accurate as you think. Hal, like his father, wants to win since winning would make the team even more profitable (which makes your argument about maintaining profits with a subpar team specious). Where Hal is different, and I tend to agree to a point, is spending excessive money is not always the answer since any overage is translated into a tax that goes to your competitors such as the Rays. In my view, why should the Yankees have to pay the Rays if there is no guarantee of winning?
Thanks Darth for the constructive thoughts. I’m not sure there is a huge difference in our views.
I was very frustrated last off season with Hal’s obsession with staying under the competitive balance tax. I was screaming for Michael Brantley, Rodin, and others. Signing any of them would not have been spending excessively in My Opinion. Let’s hope he is more willing to open up the purse strings this off season.
How are you measuring a commitment to win? If you’re mad that they’re only the second highest spending team in MLB and desire to reset their tax, maybe you have unrealistic expectations.
It’s true they had the second highest payroll this season, but they spent. 40 million less than the Dodgers. They are the highest valued team on baseball. Can you imagine much better they would have been if they spent say another 20 million this year? As a Yankee fan I expect to have a real chance to win the World Series most years. I never had that feeling this year, primarily because we made bad decisions last off season in part because we didn’t spend enough money. If that’s having unrealistic expectations then I guess I’m guilty.
Yankees spend plenty of money they have the second highest payroll in the game. The problem is not a Hal Steinbrenner penny pinching one, it’s a Brian Cashman problem. Let’s look at this roster, Cashman trades for Rizzo while having Voit on the roster. Why would you do that when the biggest holes on this team was not at 1B? Next, trading for Joey Gallo when your whole lineup is an all or nothing lineup. It’s easy for good pitching to shut these lineups down. A team that already has Judge, Stanton, and Sanchez did not also need Gallo with his strikeouts. Next is letting Garrett Whitlock go into the Rule 5 draft unprotected and having Chaim Bloom pick him up. Whitlock slammed the door twice on Tampa in this playoffs and is a big reason Boston is in the ALCS. This is all recent marks against Cashman. The biggest is this is the 3rd longest in franchise history between world titles. He’s been the GM through all that, he has played out his loyalty due him for the early 2000s that isn’t a lifetime pass.
Kingbum: Your points are valid and I think it’s both, however. They cannot skimp anywhere, and one of their positions they needed to fill was 1B with all the injuries – I’m good with the Rizzo trade, because Voit was a question mark.
I just think the Yankees would of been better off looking at a replacement for Torres in particular. He’s regressed just too much, I don’t think he’s happy in New York. His regression is stark and even your basic replacement level player who was young was a better choice to keep in the lineup. Trying to get a catcher mid-season is kinda tough, there aren’t many worth trading for honestly but something should be done about Sanchez as well.
Hindsight being 20-20, the trades now seem useless. At the time, they looked good, except for the highly overrated Gallo. I’ve never cared for the guy’s talents. 92 wins is a good season, but in New York advancing through the playoffs is most important to Yankee fans. Based on Boone’s winnings, he will likely be back. I’d be happy with that.
How bad is eloy jimenez by the way. I mean my god he sucks
Did the Cubs actually win the Quintana trade?
Lol sure. The fact he was injured a fair part of the year? That he is still young? That his previous two seasons were good? So many people can’t see past their nose…prob why none of you/us work in baseball, we just go to websites and b*tch.
The fact anyone would like either post only reinforces my lack of faith in people.
Don’t forget about Cease pooping his pants on the big stage, too.
No,it was my reaction to watching the idiot swing at every pitch. I like him them look at the name. I just didn’t like his plan for the series if u could call it that.just swing at anything that resembles a baseball and success I guess.
Hell to the no.
White Sox managerial position about to be open as well.
77 year olds Rarely make good managers. I know I’m 73. Job screams for younger ideas, and more modern communication skills.
What I wouldn’t give to have LaRussa manage Verdugo … that would be a hoot!
You’re underselling yourself, Mickey. You’re still maturing. In another four years you’ll be ready.
Thanks RobM!!!
no way they bring in a real manager like Buck. Buck has a backbone and would use his players as he saw fit without letting healthy guys have so many days off.
I want Aaron Boone as Reds Manager.
You can gladly have him!!!!!
I’m not a Boone hater, and the Yankees certainly had some injury issues, but maybe it’s time for a bit of a different outlook and a small housecleaning. Yankees had only two full-year regulars, Stanton and Judge, with OPS+ of 100 or more. Of the 13 players who had 200 or more PA, only Stanton and Judge, plus part-year players of Rizzo and Voit, were over 100+. Judge and Stanton were the only position players with WAR above 1.5! Some of that is Cashman (Odor getting 361 PAs?) but a lot of it is simple under=inspired underperformance. Time for changes.
Their roster under performed. Their pitching, both starting and relieving, was quite strong. It was their offense that failed them consistently throughout the season. Oddly, their inconsistency was the only consistency! They are probably due for some positive regression on the offensive side because pretty much all of their hitters, outside of the tall two, had OPS+’s below league average after being above. Regardless, they do need to do some lineup reconstruction. Some additional contact types and a couple lefties.
Hal Steinbrenner comments means they’ve already made the decision to keep Boone. He’s just signaling it’s coming. Not happy about it.
Don’t forget the terrible base running, and general lack of mastering the fundamentals as pro ballers should. They only play one way with all big lunky players. They need a mix with some speed. As a Red Sox fan I say don’t change a thing though.
Yankee fans believe that hitting fly balls to RF – which are HR’s in Yankee Stadium – is what wins. They have no appreciation of “mastering the fundamentals”, “speed”, running the bases well, or solid defense.
Thy myth is that the Yankees were the “Bronx Bombers” post-WWII. The reality is that under Casey in the late 40’s and 50’s where he won 10 pennants in 12 years the Yankees were strong fundamental teams that played with high Baseball IQ’s. Casey (who as a young player was mentored by Ty Cobb) was a stickler for fundamentals – throwing to the right base on D, knowing when to take extra bases, and little tricks to take advantage of how players on the opposing teams were setting up each pitch and playing. Casey mentored 2 of his players that became epic managers – Billy Martin and Whitey Herzog. They in turn brought along many younger managers such as Lou Pinella and Buck Showalter (those 2 at George’s request….. Showalter once said he learned more about the game sitting with Martin in a Spring Training game than he had managing for 2 years in their minor league system).
The Yankees reverted back to fundamentals under Torre and Girardi, mostly because Jeter was setting the example and holding teammates responsible. Today they have no leader on the field, and Boone is a joke – following Cashman’s “analytic guys” daily game plans. They finally got a good pitching coach. But the game plans are to get LH batters to hit fly balls to RF in Yankee Stadium. That’s what they traded for at the deadline. Opponents know how to take advantage of their sloppy play.
Fantastic insight as usual, @Sam. {ahem}
Chock full of HOTTAKES & sweeping generalizations intended to insult the Yanks, their fans, ownership, & management.
Let me ask you this, chico.
How in the hell does your GM Dayton Moore of your ballclub have a job? Seriously, bro. 3 postseason appearances in 17 years? Now that is incompetent.
If there is ever an article about the Royals, I will start my diatribe with, “Royal fans believe…” & whatever nonsense follows will be true, uh?
Anyway. Hope you are having a good autumn & that you are excited about all those “nice prospects” the Royals landed at the deadline. Oh. & that Michael Taylor extension. I will be rooting for a playoff team next year while you are rooting to avoid the cellar.
Such is life.
Bucky, he seems more like a Met fan to me. Seems to also have anger issues.
Nope, @RobM.
Took me awhile to figure it out, but he’s a Royals fan. He pretty much shows up only on Yankee threads to trash us, so it wasn’t readily apparent. But, yeah. KC.
I agree with you about their pitching. It was surprisingly good. If their hitting will regress to the mean in a positive way, I’m worried their pitching will do the same in the negative direction.As you point out their offense depended on 2 players, but their defense and their base running was pathetic.
This year Judge and Stanton were healthy for a change. Yankees probably tender Judge and right away he will go on the IL
Great Hal, and you will lower the ticket prices to 2008 prices?
I think Adams & Polishuk are straight trolling Yankee fans by linking Boone & Showalter in this headline, man.
It seems almost mean…
Has everyone moved on from Tony Pena? He was one of my favorites as a player, but I never watched the Royals enough to form an opinion of him as a manager. He does have some bona fides as an assistant on some great Yankees teams. But that was almost 20 years ago. Anyone have some insight?
Pena coached with the Yanks until ’17. He was actually my “choice” to be Joe G’s successor. I would love to see him replace Le Booner.
Yeah, great call on Pena. I’d choose him over Espada.
I don’t think Pena even got an interview in ’17.
Another guy that would be a good choice is Washington (I know, I know). But: his clubs/players always play really good defense & run the bases well. I’m just tired of those aspects being an embarrassment. Ya know?
& I do love a comeback/redemption story, @Clip.
Yeah, I completely agree. I don’t recall hearing his name among the candidates – One of our biggest downfalls was fundamentals. And, with the number of close games we lost, who knows how that turns the tide for the division finish & WC game (being at home as opposed to Cora’s tech center).
I stand by Bucky, if they won’t consider Pena for some reason. I’d be good with either. Washington has a good baseball rep, b it I’m not as familiar with him (outside of his penchant for snow back in the day).
Ducky, your opinion on any possibility for a Grandal trade if Contreras should fall through? I’ve always liked Grandal – solid defense and good power from both sides.
I wonder what it would take to get him, IF the Sox would even want to trade.
Interesting that Pena never resurfaced, especially with Girardi in Philly. We just Kevin Long land there.
He was pretty active with Dominican winter ball. He was in ’18 for sure, & I think ’19 too. (Maybe still is?) But yeah. Haven’t heard his name in awhile, @Rob.
He & Joe G were pretty tight.
I wonder if him not being in Philly is maybe because he wants to kind of retire or whatever.
No retreads for the Mets!!!!! Can they do anything right! My GOD!!!!!!!! The team is in a constant spinning wheel!!!!! There are no managers left with fire in there belly!!!
Wally Backman probably has “firewater” in his belly… Maybe even Fireball !
TLR just tipped his glass to that!
It makes me sad to think that Showalter would have stayed with the Orioles, but never got the chance. I loved him and that Orioles team growing up.
Maybe the Mets can get Joe Torre to come out of retirement to manage their team.
Hal is definitely not his father. Hal is perfectly happy with barely making the playoffs every year. He’s not angry enough to fire Boone or Cashman
Aaron F@&;ing Boone!
A fifth year of Boone sounds like a nightmare. I’m old enough to remember when most people hated his hiring in the first place. Then the few optimists saw after year one that he wasn’t the guy. Now we get to sit back and hope something changes in year five. The textbook definition of insanity
I really want Buck to return to the Yanks. I think if they gave him 3 years he would have these Yanks in the World Series! Cmon Hal hire Buck and stop relying on the analytic needs to control a puppet manager!
Bucky! Bucky! Bucky! Bucky!
What’s truly frightening is Cash said he would like to see Boonie manage NYY for another five years……. Screeeeeeech!
I don’t understand why Cashman still has a job in the Bronx. He must have some serious dirt on the Steinbrenner clan.
As long as the Steinbrenner family owns the Yankees , you can be assured that Cashman will be the GM and Boone will be the manager. You can also be assured the Yankees will never win again.
It seems you might be right about Cashman, but Boone? It was only a could of years ago Girardi seemed entrenched. Boone’s job seems safe for now, but I’m not sure that won’t change within the next 365 days.
Yankees success used to be judged by championships and only championships when George was alive. Apparently Hal and Hank are content with just making the playoffs. As Red Sox fan I’m ok with that if that’s how they want to be. But also as a Red Sox fan and i think all Sox fans can grudgingly respect the fact that George would never have suffered a Manager being eliminated by the Red Sox twice (and even losing one to the Rays, another division rival)
Yeah, I think this is pretty darn accurate. It is nice to see playoff ball nearly every year when many clubs would be ecstatic just to have a couple years, but I’m certainly accustomed to George’s penchant for winning.
Ducky brings up an excellent point about Hal’s primary motive being money, and as a playoff team it turns millions in profits for him, therefore, that’s his main concern without having the expenditures necessary for a WC team.
We need to improve and I am excited (and a bit frightened) by what they have in store to improve the roster this offseason.
The Yankees had a championship, or win-now window, starting in late 2017. Hal’s response? He twice cut payroll to retreat under the first luxury tax threshold. The Dodgers escalated spending during this championship run. The Red Sox in their last championship window went over the luxury tax. The Yankees under Hal will be competitive, but he has no killer instinct. He’s an accountant. That’s good news for the rest of the division.
Exactly.
& it seems a tad unseemly to complain that our owners goal is to field 95 win teams year after year. That’s really not that horrible of a fate as a baseball fan.
Man, I was on a Mariners thread down the stretch & those fellas were *pumped* to just be playing meaningful games in September. & we do that every year! Seriously. Every year.
It’s kind of the opposite of being a Giants fan. Most of my life we’ve been a bad/mediocre football team. But every so often we get the right QB & it’s great. Then back to being crappy.
Yanks are *always* good though. It’s just now, the accent is simply on being “good” & not “the best”.
Sea change.
Ducky! Speaking of our Boys in Blue – WTH happened the other day with four primary starters going down! And did you see Barkley’s ankle? Ouch. Poor guy just recovers from ACL tear last year too.
Great points Rob. 2017 was a great year and way ahead of schedule. Instead of pouncing, we coasted.
Lord knows, Clip.
It’s not even Halloween yet & our season is on life support. I’m sure you probably won’t find this hard to believe, but I had high hopes for the G-Men this year.
Yeah, we both did brother. They were supposed to bounce back. At least I can take solace in the fact that Tom Brady alone shows the Pats they’re not successful without him.
I have enjoyed the Tom Brady era. & now he’s this tenacious old dude & I gotta tip my hat there.
But:
Eli 2. Brady 0.
That played, man.
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Considering Hank is dead, I don’t believe it’s fair to assume what he wants.
“someone with Boone’s experience”
what experience… 4 years driving a 200 million dollar team into the ground with his ineptness.
Please I am begging someone, come in and swoop him away from the Yankees.
Cool name; but I don’t think it’s just Boone’s fault. It’sHal for cutting money and taking the opposite approach of George; it’s Cash for building the roster where other pitching staffs can navigate it with relative ease at times; and, it’s Boone’s (maybe) for in-game decisions – or just being a pawn and not making any decisions when they need to be made.
They should hire me for the positions
Mets get Boone, Yankees get Showalter. We good?
Yep, sold
Bochy to SD
Showalter to NYY
Boone ?
Espada NYM will do whatever the owner wants
Bochy. Retired!
Orioles fan
Showalter took a team with a one dimensional (but good) offense, a very good bullpen, and just enough starting pitching to cobble together 3 playoff appearances and the AL’s best record between 2012-16.
The 2012 and 2016 teams on paper were not playoff teams, but they made the playoffs. I think the 2014 96-win, division champs were down 3 of their top players (Machado, Davis, Wieters) by the playoffs and they still made the ALCS.
Showalter wasn’t the one who didn’t sign Nelson Cruz but did sign Davis in 2016, and wasn’t the one who wouldn’t spend on starting pitchers until Ubaldo Jimenez.
That said I think others alluded to him burning the match with the team after a few years, but the team will be better at first and at least not underachieve.
Bring Buck back to the Bronx. Don Martingly as hitting coach and mold Donny to next Yankees Manager
That’ll probably happen