Loyal readers here is your chance to start the discussion. Pick a topic, any topic. Post it and get us scribing. It’s Open Thread Thursday on the Pine.
I can’t remember the last time that there were this many high-profile manager positions open in the Major Leagues. St. Louis, Boston, and Chicago Cubs. Am I forgetting anyone else?
If I had to take a guess, this is what I am going with:
Boston – Dave Martinez
St. Louis- Jose Qquendo
Chicago Cubs – Pete Mackanin
That is purely a guess.. I think the Cards will try to do everything they can to re-sign Pujols. Hiring Oquendo, who is a favorite of Pujols will do just that. Boston is going to follow the same route as they did with the hiring of Terry Francona. While I think it could be Dave Martinez, I wouldn’t be surprised if they went with Pete Mackanin.
As a Cardinals fan, I would loveeee for the club to stay in-house and go with Oquendo, for the exact reason you mentioned. However, who takes the job runs the risk of being “that guy” who was in charge when arguably the greatest player left town. And that’d be a tough way to begin a managing career. I can’t help but think that Bobby Valentine’s name is going to be thrown around, and I think he could land a job in the big leagues, potentially one of these big three. Riggelmen and Francona are other options out there, but I like your calls. The 3 you mentioned and the 3 names I included are all legitmate in my mind.
Drewsays
Love this topic Smitty.
I think Boston ends up with a proven guy, and I think Valentine could work there. He has played in a giant media market before and I think he could handle the Boston atmosphere.
St Louis should just go to Pujols and say who do you want the manager to be, we’ll hire him. And we’ll rename the team Pujols. The St Louis Pujols. Pujols Park. The Pujols Arch. I’m sure they could convince the Rams to change their name to the Pujols. Whatever it takes.
It baffles me that the Cubs aren’t giving their managerial job to Sandberg. I follow the Cubs pretty close and it seemed to me that the right play would have been to let Quade finish out his contract and them be mediocre at best this year. Then you have an entire season to talk to guys about openings instead of Theo making his first big move this offseason. If he brings in a guy who sucks, then you already have the Wrigley faithful doubting him a little. If he were to let Quade go this year and he sucks, everyone can say “Well, we already knew he was bad. Now, let’s try to bring in a big time skip.” Weird move by Epstein if you ask me.
I think Ryno will absolutely be a good manager though, whether it’s for the Cards, Cubs, Sox or someone else down the road.
bill ribassays
What if Pujols goes to the Cubs?
Crossword Petesays
What if LaRussa goes to the Cubs?
bill ribassays
I think LaRussa is done for good, but I can see the Cubs offering a boatload of cash to Pujols.
I am with Bill – I think LaRussa is done. At least for a couple of years. Maybe he gets the itch to manage again, but I think in all likelihood he has managed his last game.
Drew, you think Ryno has to get a shot right??? He has been well thought of in the major leagues and many think he is going to be a good manager. So who takes the chance?
I am not surprised by Theo firing Quade. Theo has never been shy about making big changes or as Nuke LaLoosh says, ” I wanna announce my presence with authority”. Only Crash Davis is telling everyone that a fastball is coming.
I think it is kinda funny to watch both the Cubs and Red Sox find a manager at the same time. Think the baseball operations/ideology have changed with Theo leaving? They are interviewing the same candidates…. except for Tito.
A darkhouse for the Red Sox job – Tim Wallach. Viva L’Expos!!
Smitty says
I can’t remember the last time that there were this many high-profile manager positions open in the Major Leagues. St. Louis, Boston, and Chicago Cubs. Am I forgetting anyone else?
If I had to take a guess, this is what I am going with:
Boston – Dave Martinez
St. Louis- Jose Qquendo
Chicago Cubs – Pete Mackanin
That is purely a guess.. I think the Cards will try to do everything they can to re-sign Pujols. Hiring Oquendo, who is a favorite of Pujols will do just that. Boston is going to follow the same route as they did with the hiring of Terry Francona. While I think it could be Dave Martinez, I wouldn’t be surprised if they went with Pete Mackanin.
Kyle Soppe says
As a Cardinals fan, I would loveeee for the club to stay in-house and go with Oquendo, for the exact reason you mentioned. However, who takes the job runs the risk of being “that guy” who was in charge when arguably the greatest player left town. And that’d be a tough way to begin a managing career. I can’t help but think that Bobby Valentine’s name is going to be thrown around, and I think he could land a job in the big leagues, potentially one of these big three. Riggelmen and Francona are other options out there, but I like your calls. The 3 you mentioned and the 3 names I included are all legitmate in my mind.
Drew says
Love this topic Smitty.
I think Boston ends up with a proven guy, and I think Valentine could work there. He has played in a giant media market before and I think he could handle the Boston atmosphere.
St Louis should just go to Pujols and say who do you want the manager to be, we’ll hire him. And we’ll rename the team Pujols. The St Louis Pujols. Pujols Park. The Pujols Arch. I’m sure they could convince the Rams to change their name to the Pujols. Whatever it takes.
It baffles me that the Cubs aren’t giving their managerial job to Sandberg. I follow the Cubs pretty close and it seemed to me that the right play would have been to let Quade finish out his contract and them be mediocre at best this year. Then you have an entire season to talk to guys about openings instead of Theo making his first big move this offseason. If he brings in a guy who sucks, then you already have the Wrigley faithful doubting him a little. If he were to let Quade go this year and he sucks, everyone can say “Well, we already knew he was bad. Now, let’s try to bring in a big time skip.” Weird move by Epstein if you ask me.
I think Ryno will absolutely be a good manager though, whether it’s for the Cards, Cubs, Sox or someone else down the road.
bill ribas says
What if Pujols goes to the Cubs?
Crossword Pete says
What if LaRussa goes to the Cubs?
bill ribas says
I think LaRussa is done for good, but I can see the Cubs offering a boatload of cash to Pujols.
Smitty says
I am with Bill – I think LaRussa is done. At least for a couple of years. Maybe he gets the itch to manage again, but I think in all likelihood he has managed his last game.
Drew, you think Ryno has to get a shot right??? He has been well thought of in the major leagues and many think he is going to be a good manager. So who takes the chance?
I am not surprised by Theo firing Quade. Theo has never been shy about making big changes or as Nuke LaLoosh says, ” I wanna announce my presence with authority”. Only Crash Davis is telling everyone that a fastball is coming.
I think it is kinda funny to watch both the Cubs and Red Sox find a manager at the same time. Think the baseball operations/ideology have changed with Theo leaving? They are interviewing the same candidates…. except for Tito.
A darkhouse for the Red Sox job – Tim Wallach. Viva L’Expos!!
bill ribas says
hate to do this, but Quade and firing gets me here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVjmFxCyv0E
Casey says
VIVA L’EXPOS!
Crossword Pete says
Tim Wallach; there’s a name I haven’t heard in ages. He was phenomenal in Strat-O-matic baseball!