Potential Red Sox manager candidates

The Gray Eagle

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Boston.com lists 5 potential candidates.

The Sporting News lists 7.

MLB Daily Dish has a very similar list. But with Chili on the side.

CBS Sports lists 13. Guess they are including every possibility so they can say I told you so no matter who gets the job.

Chad Finn speculates on possible candidates and would go with DiSarcina (this was from yesterday).

The major candidates so far seem to be:
Ausmus
Cora
Varitek
Dave Martinez
Gardenhire was mentioned at least twice, as has Chili.
DiSarcina seems to have been ruled out by Dombrowski's comment that the manager won't come from the current staff.
 

DJnVa

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DiSarcina seems to have been ruled out by Dombrowski's comment that the manager won't come from the current staff.
That would rule out Chili too.

Based on nothing but surfing the net this morning, I'd bet Cora is the leader in the clubhouse.
 

Stitch01

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Didnt expect there to be national Ron Gardenhire buzz, but that smells like a DD kind of hire.
 

johnnywayback

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Some betting odds:
For those on mobile: Ausmus +250, DiSarcina +300, Cora +400, Varitek +600, Chili +800, Showalter +800, Ventura +1800, RAJ +2000, Kapler +2000, Bowa +2500, Alomar +2500, Field +800. At those prices, gimme Cora and maybe the field (for Dave Martinez).
 

The Gray Eagle

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If you want to try to read the tea leaves,,here is what Dombrowski said at his press conference about the next manager:

"Dombrowski said he did not consult with players regarding the decision. He did say previous managing experience was not necessary for the next Red Sox manager, and that it was unlikely anyone on the current coaching staff, which is signed through 2018, would be considered for the job.

“Managerial experience helps,” he said. “It’s not a 100 percent necessity.”

He added that the new manager would be able to choose his coaching staff.

As for what he’s looking for in his next manager, Dombrowski mentioned a number of important attributes, including “job knowledge, running the game, running the pitching staff, dealing with the media.”

“That role is a very important job,” he said. “It’s a very difficult job. There’s a lot of things that encompass that job.”

He also noted that the ability to handle the media carries greater weight in Boston compared with, say, Detroit, which is where he last hired a manager as an executive for the Tigers. He did, however, mention the advantage of having someone with experience “being in a dugout during a game.”
 

JimD

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I would read too much into DD's comments - most of the guys who would meet all of his requirements are either running other contending teams, retired or dead.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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Some betting odds:
For those on mobile: Ausmus +250, DiSarcina +300, Cora +400, Varitek +600, Chili +800, Showalter +800, Ventura +1800, RAJ +2000, Kapler +2000, Bowa +2500, Alomar +2500, Field +800. At those prices, gimme Cora and maybe the field (for Dave Martinez).
 

drbretto

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I'm ready to jump in on the Cora hype. I understand why someone might be leery of hiring someone so green, but I think it's exactly what we need. Someone with some fresh ideas looking to make his move. And, the year of experience he does have happens to be as a bench coach of a team full of young players hitting their full potential. Even if he's not responsible for it, he witnessed it, understood it and I'm sure took some mental notes to take into the managerial job the world has pegged him for.

Give him a shot. If he's got something, the team that gives him a shot gets to reap the rewards. We've got some big competition for the next few years. Mediocrity at this point will be synonymous with defeat, so if Cora completely sucks, it'll just be better draft picks. If he's catching lightning in a bottle, awesome.

He's also totally familiar with this media market. He can handle it here. I like this.
 

TonyPenaNeverJuiced

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He's also totally familiar with this media market. He can handle it here. I like this.
While I agree with the general points you raise... do you really think Cora got a lot of hard-hitting and tough questions from the media? Or maybe just through osmosis? He was the equivalent of Brock Holt for a couple of years, with less playing time.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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I'm ready to jump in on the Cora hype. I understand why someone might be leery of hiring someone so green, but I think it's exactly what we need. Someone with some fresh ideas looking to make his move. And, the year of experience he does have happens to be as a bench coach of a team full of young players hitting their full potential. Even if he's not responsible for it, he witnessed it, understood it and I'm sure took some mental notes to take into the managerial job the world has pegged him for.

Give him a shot. If he's got something, the team that gives him a shot gets to reap the rewards. We've got some big competition for the next few years. Mediocrity at this point will be synonymous with defeat, so if Cora completely sucks, it'll just be better draft picks. If he's catching lightning in a bottle, awesome.

He's also totally familiar with this media market. He can handle it here. I like this.
He was a utility player here for a few years. That in no way means that we know that he can handle this market's demands as a Manager. Maybe he can and would be a great hire. But we really have no idea how he'll handle that part of the job.
 

Green Monster

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Ron Gardenhire seems like a pretty solid candidate. Managed Twins for 12 seasons, 6 division titles, AL Manager of the Year- 2010, still only 59 years old. Post season success has been limited. Not sure where he stands with sabermetrics. Current bench coach for the Diamondbacks
 

drbretto

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Fair points on Cora not being front and center, but being exposed to it must have some value. You're right in that it's not automatic, though.

And ftr, about all I know about Cora is what I just wrote there. I just like the idea of it. I'm on board the train, but I'm not married to it.
 

nvalvo

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Give me scrappy nick punto as manager

In other news

Bam bam is an interesting thought.

He is an experienced and well-regarded coach with a successful club (well, not this year...). A Curacaoan who has played all over the world, he speaks English, Spanish, Papiamento, Japanese, and maybe a few more.

80 grade nickname.

Edit: this season aside, he’s gotten a ton of development out of young hitters without much pedigree. Guys like Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik blossomed from fringe prospects into good big leaguers under his tutelage. He also seems willing and able to work with hitters with very different approaches, for good or ill.
 
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tims4wins

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Ron Gardenhire seems like a pretty solid candidate. Managed Twins for 12 seasons, 6 division titles, AL Manager of the Year- 2010, still only 59 years old. Post season success has been limited. Not sure where he stands with sabermetrics. Current bench coach for the Diamondbacks
Well he loves bunting. Gardy would be a trainwreck disaster of a hire IMO. As would Varitek. All aboard the Cora wagon.
 

Green Monster

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Well he loves bunting. Gardy would be a trainwreck disaster of a hire IMO. As would Varitek. All aboard the Cora wagon.
I admit to not knowing much about Gardenhire other than what I have read in the past hour or so. What about him would be a trainwreck?

PS: Agree No on Varitek and I am good with Cora if that's how it works out.
 

tims4wins

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I admit to not knowing much about Gardenhire other than what I have read in the past hour or so. What about him would be a trainwreck?

PS: Agree No on Varitek and I am good with Cora if that's how it works out.
As was mentioned in the Farrell Out thread, pretty much everything about Gardenhire's approach to baseball is awful and he would drive this board about as crazy as Grady did. Gardy is Grady with one flipped letter, after all.
 

CoffeeNerdness

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Can't say as though I followed the Ausmus' era in Detroit too closely. What are the major red flags leading to the strong reaction from posters here?
 

mwonow

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All I remember of Gardy was good regular seasons followed by dismal capitulation to the MFYs. Not the profile I'm hoping for. But better than Showalter, who seems like Bobby V with a worse tan.

I'd be fine with Cora, and I remember Dave Martinez got some buzz last time, too...
 

Green Monster

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As was mentioned in the Farrell Out thread, pretty much everything about Gardenhire's approach to baseball is awful and he would drive this board about as crazy as Grady did. Gardy is Grady with one flipped letter, after all.
OK, Thanks....That was helpful
 

The Gray Eagle

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Cora got a great view of the Boston media when he was Manny's closest buddy in 2008 when Manny was traded during that media circus.

"Cora likened those days to the ones before the New York Mets fired Willie Randolph as manager, when every question to every player every day revolved around what might happen to Randolph.

"Same thing here," Cora said. "We were getting our [butts] kicked by Anaheim and the Yankees, and everybody was pointing the finger at Manny."

It got so ridiculous, Cora said, that teammates had to answer when the Boston media determined Ramirez had run too slowly to first base on one particular double play."

Mike Lowell says Cora had a great positive impact on Manny and his unique personality:
"You had Manny, who was a superstar, and you had Alex Cora, who was basically our backup infielder. Both of them took their crafts very seriously. I enjoyed the talks we had, because you saw different angles. I think Alex Cora doesn’t get enough credit for how much of a positive influence he was on Manny. He would say things like, ‘Hey, you’re the man and you have to carry us and do this and that,’ and stuff like that. Manny liked that, and you have to work those personalities. Alex was great at that."

Cafardo says Cora is also candidate for 3 other jobs:
"Cora is a hot commodity. He’s received a high profile for his work with the Astros, but has been hurt by the Astros’ policy of not allowing coaches to speak to the media. Cora would be an interesting choice for a team that has a big Latino presence. Cora will also draw interest from the Phillies and Tigers."

Hinch big-ups his bench coach and says he could interview for managing jobs during the playoffs:
"I'm happy for him that his name is being talked about," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's no surprise. It's very talented. He's interviewed for a few jobs before. He's equipped to handle this job whenever somebody sees him as a fit. His relatability skills to players, his baseball intellect, all impressive. His transition to coaching has gone well and I think his name will always be in the middle of the conversation until the right fit is found. But he will manage. Not a doubt in my mind."

Cora has previously interviewed for openings with the Rangers, Padres and D-backs. Adding a year of experience as the bench coach on a 100-win team -- a team that's deep into analytics -- only makes Cora more appealing.

Cora wasn't made available to be interviewed by reporters, but Hinch said he'd expect Cora to be able to interviewed for any managerial openings while continuing his duties with the Astros, who are preparing for a possible long run in the playoffs. Teams would have to ask the Astros for permission to interview Cora.

"I trust him to be prepared, trust him to be able to handle it," Hinch said. "He can compartmentalize very, very well. If anybody ever asks for permission, we'll have to handle it depending on what we're doing, where we're at, what his timeline is. Regardless of whether he would have conversations about potentially being the manager somewhere or not, when he shows up to the ballpark he's ready to go and prepared. I have the utmost trust he's going to have his attention here."
 

tims4wins

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OK, Thanks....That was helpful
Read this article

https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/9/29/6868239/ron-gardenhire-fired-twins

A few choice excerpts

He was too old school for this game, and his ability to thrive when he eventually finds another job will depend on his ability to learn and adapt.

Gardy was originally considered an endorsement for the status quo. He was to continue the tradition established by his mentor and perpetuate "The Twins Way" of promoting strong fundamentals. Over time, however, this emphasis slipped dramatically, and the Twins became one of the worst fielding clubs in baseball

His refusal to platoon batters also stands out as a major weakness, as Gardnhire never sought to gain those advantages in his lineups

Indeed, so much of Gardenhire's managing, from a fan's perspective, seemed defined by routine. Redmond will hit third because that's where the catcher hits. Luis Rivas will hit second because that's where a middle infielder goes. J.J. Hardy should be traded because he's not what we want a shortstop to be like. Gardenhire's stubborn refusal to adapt to the reality around him made him a little endearing, sure, but mostly a frustrating manager to watch
 

Green Monster

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OK, now I understand your point. Doesn't sound like the type of guy the Sox are looking for.

Interesting that the Astros may be willing to let Cora interview while they are still playing
 

ehaz

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What about Tony LaRussa? After his disaster stint as President of the D-Backs, he was demoted. Perhaps he's getting tired of the front office and would welcome a managing gig in the right situation.
 

shlincoln

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Can't say as though I followed the Ausmus' era in Detroit too closely. What are the major red flags leading to the strong reaction from posters here?
The thing about Ausmus that has me in the no hell no camp was his continuing to play an obviously hurt Miguel Cabrera at the end of this season because, to paraphrase "the offseason is two week's away, he can rehab then."
 

Hank Scorpio

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Was discussing this with my cousin earlier, and he mentioned he saw Dave Dombrowski chatting with Alex Cora prior to one of the ALDS games.

Now, I don't think DD went over and offered Cora an interview, but he likely did use the opportunity to establish some familiarity. He may not get the job, but he'll be on the list.

(Of course, we're pretty sure of that, regardless of any meetings.)
 

cannonball 1729

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Why not.... Tony Peña?
His tenure with the Royals was....weird. He had a surprisingly good season in '03, followed by a disaster in '04 and an awful start in '05. He was very shtick-y - he once showered in full uniform for some bizarre inspirational reason, but once his shtick stopped working, he didn't seem to know how to arrest the team's slide. Also, he quit right around the time salacious personal details were coming to light in his divorce trial.

None of this is prohibitive, of course, and his Dominican WBC team beat the crap out everyone in '13, but I'm not sure he'd be my first choice.
 

alamat86

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One name who's also not being mentioned is Ron Washington. His players seemed to love him when he was in Texas.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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One name who's also not being mentioned is Ron Washington. His players seemed to love him when he was in Texas.
Speaking of guys who love the nose candy hows Butch Hobson doing these days?

Wash is an old school manager so I have no doubt DD might make a call but we need someone progressive in there. Not a dinosaur.
 

SpaceMan37

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Speaking of guys who love the nose candy hows Butch Hobson doing these days?

Wash is an old school manager so I have no doubt DD might make a call but we need someone progressive in there. Not a dinosaur.
I'm pretty sure that baseball is becoming a young manager's game just like it has become a young man's game. Or at least young as in not stubborn and stuck in their ways yet.
 

BoSoxLady

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Gabe Kapler. He was beaten out by Dave Roberts for the Dodgers job.
 

Moviegoer

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What about Tony LaRussa? After his disaster stint as President of the D-Backs, he was demoted. Perhaps he's getting tired of the front office and would welcome a managing gig in the right situation.
No. Most overrated manager of the last thirty-five years.