Aaron Boone is the new Yankee manager

[jon abbey]

Hensley Meulens will get one of the next interviews, he was SF's bench coach this year and speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese. It doesn't look like he has ever managed. but he has been the hitting coach and then bench coach for SF since 2010. He is 50.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Hensley Meulens will get one of the next interviews, he was SF's bench coach this year and speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese. It doesn't look like he has ever managed. but he has been the hitting coach and then bench coach for SF since 2010. He is 50.

He managed the Netherlands in the WBC. I wanted him for the Sox if for no other reason than my son could shout "Bam Bam!" every time he was on the screen and drive my wife nuts.

 

[jon abbey]

I love the idea of someone who can not only speak both Spanish and Japanese (especially if they get Otani), but who can even speak Dutch to Didi if needed.

 

[Big John]

If they hire Meulens, he will be the second Yankee who has been knighted by Queen Beatrix.

I also read that Cashman wanted to interview Bob Melvin but was denied permission.

 

[EvilEmpire]

If Cashman is intent on hiring a rookie manager, I like the idea of Meulens better than Beltran. In addition to the languages, I'd like at least a little experience, and bench coach is enough for me.

Of course at this point I trust Cashman enough that he could hire Bobby Valentine and I'd grudgingly support it.

 

[jon abbey]

Also I'm sure if he hires someone like Beltran without experience, he would surround him with an experienced coaching staff.

 

[jon abbey]

I think Ibanez was one of Cashman's main targets (maybe the main one), but he has said no. I think we already knew this, but the wording is interesting.

Ken Davidoff‏Verified account @KenDavidoff 47m47 minutes ago

The #Yankees reached out to Raul Ibanez to discuss their manager opening shortly after Girardi's dismissal. Ibanez ultimately decided he wasn't ready for such a commitment.

 

[Big John]

If they hired someone like Beltran, would Tony Pena stay on? Would Rothschild and Cockrell stay on?

 

[jon abbey]

If they hired someone like Beltran, would Tony Pena stay on? Would Rothschild and Cockrell stay on?

Good timing on this question, Rothschild will be back as pitching coach for continuity:

http://nypost.com/2017/11/13/yankees-will-keep-at-least-one-familiar-face-in-the-dugout/

 

[jon abbey]

I am guessing Bam Bam as manager and Beltran as bench coach for now, more candidates will presumably emerge also.

 

[jon abbey]

So it seems as if Cashman will at least pick some of the coaching staff, presumably the new manager will have more input into that in subsequent years if needed.

 

[jon abbey]

So, in Joel Sherman's latest column about this, he says that "The Yankees have believed they would cap interviews at five or six for the position" and we already know five people who have gotten or are scheduled for interviews:

Rob Thomson (done)
Eric Wedge (done)
Hensley Meulens (scheduled for later this week and IMO the current fave)
Aaron Boone (scheduled for later this week)
Chris Woodward (name just leaked, probably will get an interview soon)

http://nypost.com/2017/11/14/yankees-likely-to-interview-dodgers-3b-coach-for-managerial-job/

 

[jon abbey]

Hmm, maybe Joel misunderstood or Cashman decided to do more interviews:

"More interviews for the manager opening are coming with people whom Cashman hasn’t even booked yet, he said, as he tries to limit the amount of leaks."

http://nypost.com/2017/11/14/why-a-jacoby-ellsbury-trade-isnt-close-to-happening/?src=rss

 

[jon abbey]

ryan Hoch‏Verified account @BryanHoch 8m8 minutes ago

Brian Cashman said it shouldn’t be a problem if they haven’t named a manager by the Winter Meetings.
By Christmas, I asked? “Nope.”
By Spring Training? “Yep.”

 

[jon abbey]

Aaron Boone's interview today supposedly went great, and interestingly Cashman was the one who reached out to him a few weeks back.

I still have to think Hensley Meulens is the favorite with an experienced coaching staff, if you're looking for someone who can communicate, a guy who speaks five languages (he said 'about 50 percent Japanese' yesterday, but still) seems tough to top.

Chris Woodward (Dodgers 3rd base coach) is the last scheduled interview we know about.

 

[jon abbey]

Woodward's interview was today, no one seems too impressed. Boone and Meulens remain the frontrunners, no surprise:

https://www.fanragsports.com/heyman-boone-and-meulens-said-to-ace-yankees-interviews/

 

[ConigsCorner]

Hensley Meulens will get one of the next interviews, he was SF's bench coach this year and speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese. It doesn't look like he has ever managed. but he has been the hitting coach and then bench coach for SF since 2010. He is 50.

I vividly remember the enormous hype surrounding Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens in the early 90's. He played for parts of 7 seasons: 549 PA, 109 hits, 15 hr, 53 rbi, .641 ops. Whoops.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

I hope Boone doesn't get the job. I have no real reason for it, other than he irritates me on broadcasts (unless his getting it means ARod will be manager in 2019! ha).

I think I want Meulens, without knowing much about him other than he has some MLB coaching experience.

 

[jon abbey]

Yeah, I’ve never been a Boone fan either, I’m OK with Bam Bam but kind of hoping more candidates will still emerge.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Abs did a piece on Boone: http://sonsofsamhorn.com/baseball/majorleaguebaseball/al-east/new-york-yankees/yankees-set-announce-new-manager/

 

[Murderer's Crow]

Abs is a funny man.

 

[terrynever]

Satire is the greatest form of flattery.

 

[Big John]

Ausmus has taken a front office job with the Angels although I doubt if he was ever on the table.

 

[tims4wins]

Sounds like Beltran will interview

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21596747/carlos-beltran-interview-new-york-yankees-manager-position

 

[jon abbey]

Beltran interviews tomorrow, Jerry Hairston Jr. is also getting an interview.

Good story from last month about the impact that Beltran had in the Astros clubhouse, this makes me really want him (and Bam Bam as bench coach, give him a big raise from what the Giants were paying him).

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/19/houston-astros-carlos-beltran-carlos-correa-alcs

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Beltran interviews tomorrow, Jerry Hairston Jr. is also getting an interview.

Good story from last month about the impact that Beltran had in the Astros clubhouse, this makes me really want him (and Bam Bam as bench coach, give him a big raise from what the Giants were paying him).

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/19/houston-astros-carlos-beltran-carlos-correa-alcs

Why on Earth would you want the guy with zero coaching experience as the manager and the guy who actually has coaching experience (and managing experience in the WBC) as the bench coach instead of the other way around?

Also, offering Meulens a lateral job move, even with a raise, doesn't give the Giants any reason to let him go. If he's getting a promotion, they won't stand in the way. If it's another bench coach job and I'm in that front office, I say no way.

 

[jon abbey]

Yeah, the reverse works too. Beltran is the bigger name despite his coaching inexperience, that's why I had it that way but maybe that doesn't matter. But also I feel like if Bam Bam really impressed them, they wouldn't still be taking their time like this and would have just hired him.

 

[jon abbey]

Sounds like the Beltran interview went great, I now think it will be Beltran as manager and Eric Wedge as bench coach (since he is the only candidate with MLB managerial experience). Some quotes:

Bryan Hoch‏Verified account @BryanHoch 36m36 minutes ago
Carlos Beltran said that he told Brian Cashman that he was planning to retire prior to a Yankees-Astros game this season, and volunteered his services to the organization any way possible.

Beltran said that his weakness would be the obvious lack of managerial experience, which is why he would want a bench coach who has been a MLB manager.

Beltran: "I'm 100 percent committed. Being the manager of the NY Yankees, there is a lot of responsibility that comes with that. I'm all for it. As a ballplayer, I got the opportunity to play for a long time. So hopefully I could be a good manager like I was a good player."

Beltran: "I don't want to be a manager that comes to the ballpark and waits for the game to start. I want to be a proactive manager that interacts with the players and is always bringing something to the table for the players."

Jack Curry‏Verified account @JackCurryYES 36m36 minutes ago
Not surprisingly, Carlos Beltran was smooth and smart on conference call with reporters. Highlighted his communication skills several times and his desire to be a "pro-active" manager. Also noted how he became much more cognizant of analytics in last few years of his career.

While still playing for Astros this season, Beltran told Cashman he would be interested in a role with the Yankees after retiring. I don't think Beltran was pitching himself for manager at that point, but the conversation resonated with Cashman. Beltran is a strong candidate.

From "Having Fun With Pronouns," Department, Beltran did say, "We discussed how we can get better as a ball club." Yes, that was the newly crowned WS champion Astro referring to the Yankees as "we."

Beltran said his philosophy as a manager would be "communication." Mentioned how he had countless "truthful conversations" with teammates as a player. When he was with Yankees, said he "felt like a coach," because he tried to help younger players.

Beltran played more than 2,500 major league games, but he's never had to stand in the dugout and make decision after decision, especially on pitching side. I think he can succeed, but it would be helpful to have a bench coach w/ managerial experience.

 

[snowmanny]

When is the last time someone went that quickly from player to manager? There have been a couple of player-managers in my lifetime (Robinson, Rose), but I'm struggling to remember this scenario in the last twenty years. Probably missing someone obvious...

 

[jon abbey]

I don't think you're missing anyone, somewhere I saw a list of people who went right from playing to managing the next season, and it was only 3-4 names and none were within the last 40-50 years or so. I will post it if I find it again.

 

[jon abbey]

The NY Post got some quotes from AJ Hinch about the possibility of Beltran managing NY this year:

https://nypost.com/2017/11/29/how-carlos-beltran-has-been-preparing-for-this-yankees-shot/

 

[jon abbey]

When is the last time someone went that quickly from player to manager? There have been a couple of player-managers in my lifetime (Robinson, Rose), but I'm struggling to remember this scenario in the last twenty years. Probably missing someone obvious...

Joel Sherman answers this, you are not missing anyone:

"Despite many terrific qualities, Beltran is fighting history in attempting to manage so quickly after his career. Since Pete Rose ended the player portion of his player-manager stint with the Reds in 1986, nobody has been named a manager in the immediate season after playing.

The closest approximation to Beltran since the mid-1980s is Lou Piniella. He retired in June 1984 while already serving as a player and hitting coaching for the Yankees. He was hitting coach in 1985 for Yogi Berra and Billy Martin and was named Yankees manager in 1986. Beltran, in the latter years of his career, often served as an untitled hitting coach as much as player. But Piniella had a uniquely close relationship with George Steinbrenner, something far greater than Beltran has with Hal Steinbrenner.

Larry Bowa also was hired, as the Padres manager, one year removed from finishing his career in 1985, serving as San Diego’s Triple-A manager in between (thanks to Eric Nehs of the MLB Network for the research).

No one else has even gone from playing to managing one year later like Piniella and Bowa since. Even those in recent years who have seemed to hop from one to the other quickly did not go that fast. For example, Girardi was three years later, Brad Ausmus was four years, Mike Matheny was six, Robin Ventura was eight.

Alex Cora, like Beltran from Puerto Rico, was named Red Sox manger this offseason. He retired after the 2011 campaign."

https://nypost.com/2017/11/29/carlos-beltran-interview-is-about-a-lot-more-than-managers-job/

 

[terrynever]

Babe Ruth wanted to manage the Yankees for years but for some reason the owner was against it!

 

[Murderer's Crow]

I really wonder how the interviews test strategic skills and knowledge like defensive positioning, bunt philosophy, pitch calling, the rulebook, and pitching management. You would think a player like Beltran has experience to have gained that kind of knowledge over time but there's gotta be value having someone who is well versed and tested. Beltran is such an unknown.

 

[jon abbey]

You would think a player like Beltran has experience to have gained that kind of knowledge over time but there's gotta be value having someone who is well versed and tested. Beltran is such an unknown.

One thing Beltran said that he told Cashman that I don't think I put above is that since he played so much DH the last few seasons, he was like a bench coach a lot of the time in NY and HOU. Carlos Correa literally attributed seven of his HRs this season to the better preparation Beltran got him to do, in the SI article I linked upthread.

One big issue with managers this young/close to having played is that it will be hard for them to demote former teammates until long after it is deserved. This was definitely true to an extent with Girardi and Jeter, no way he was coming out of the top two in that lineup no matter how bad it was for the team at times. But I think Beltran won't have an issue here since he was such a great player and commands so much universal respect, whereas most managers seem to have been role players or even fringe major leaguers.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Jason Kidd worked out just fine in NYC, going from player to coach!

 

[Wingack]

Cashman said that no one else will be interviewed. He will pick among the six.

 

[jon abbey]

This pretty much has to be Beltran given the timing, right?

Mark Feinsand‏Verified account @Feinsand 14m14 minutes ago
According to a source, a clear front-runner emerged from the six candidates for the Yankees' managerial job. That could explain why a second round of interviews with Hal Steinbrenner is unnecessary. Still no timetable on a hire.

 

[RedOctober3829]

The pool has been narrowed to two names: Aaron Boone and Hensley Meulens.

 

[jon abbey]

Oh man, it better be Bam Bam.

 

[jon abbey]

Beltran won't be a coach either as some had thought, he will take the 2018 season off and spend it with his family.

Mark Feinsand‏Verified account @Feinsand

As for whether he would consider taking on a different role with the Yankees next season, Carlos Beltran indicated he planned to take the 2018 season off.

 

[jon abbey]

This is a strange way to do this, like a reality show:

Ken Rosenthal‏Verified account @Ken_Rosenthal 6m6 minutes ago
The Yankees have made their decision on a manager, two sources tell The Athletic. It’s not down to Boone or Meulens; they’ve chosen one of them. We just don’t know who yet.

 

[terrynever]

Oh man, it better be Bam Bam.

If the job goes to the most qualified candidate, it has been Bam Bam all along. Yanks finally get a modern manager with brains and the ability to communicate with young players and international players, too.

 

[edoug]

I hope they at least told the one that they pass on that he wasn't getting the job.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

I’d think they are obsessed with getting otahni at all costs right about now so edge goes to bam bam

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

Cashman must have complete autonomy in that organization if he gets to hire a manager without that person even meeting with Hal, which is funny because he technically doesn’t have a new contract himself. Cashman is really the Boss.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Looks like Aaron Boone is the next Yankee manager although this is not an official announcement.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Goddammit. I'm pretty underwhelmed by Boone. Hope to be proven wrong.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Please let this be true

 

[RedOctober3829]

Sherman: A Meulens associate says he is no longer a candidate for #Yankees managing job. No confirmation yet, but it is looking more and more like Boone is the guy. But NOTHING confirmed on record or for background yet.