Obviously not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is the manager cannot MAKE the players better. The players have to do that.
So....who is the new GM/head of baseball ops?
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I think fundamentals are certainly coachable to the extent that they are drilled. Even pros need to drill (virtuoso musicians still play their scales, great ballet dancers work the bar, etc.). Somehow I recalled this article about the Rays carving out time during the season for this purpose:
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-tales-fundamental-change-in-pregame-preparations/2319683/
My memory was that the article was from 2 years ago, and it turns out it was 6 years ago. And such are my decaying synapses. I gotta start doing some drills.
You left out the most important part from the article, which indicated Francona was the manager who taught Cash to run these drills. It's not directly stated, but Cash's Red Sox playing career was under Tito, who later hired Cash as a coach with the Indians:
Infielders take ground balls, and outfielders fly balls for 10-15 minutes starting at 4:10 rather than between swings of batting practice. Though not quite "old-school" infield practice, which only the Twins seem to take regularly, it provides time for individual work and infield drills, such as Tim Beckham and Brad Miller practicing double plays, and a safer environment.
"This allows the guys to focus on what they're doing without having balls thrown everywhere and hit around them," said Cash, who did drills this way when playing for the Red Sox and coaching the Indians. "And it allows the infield to work together."
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Well this sure isn't something I like to read:
That Cora will have a voice in the Sox’ new head of baseball operations is a clear indication that ownership holds him in high regard. It is very atypical that a manager has a say in this kind of search process. Normally, a general manager has their pick when it comes to who leads the team from the dugout.
With that in mind, leading the Red Sox — a highly-coveted gig — loses some of its shine.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/01/sports/alex-cora-says-he-will-have-voice-baseball-ops-decision/
I don't have a globe sub, is this a quote from the article or your own thoughts?
Either way, I'd ask the author to back up the bolded with an argument.
The argument is in the statement immediately above the bolded.
It's clear you don't think full autonomy is a big deal for a prospective PBO, but it's really incumbent upon you to make the argument why the Andrew Friedmans (or even the Andrew Friedman wannabes) around the league wouldn't care about being saddled with a guy who (a) wants a definitive say in personnel matters and (b) had problems with the last guy on the job.
I’m sure they could find a willing GM for good money that’s happy to be a puppet but some of the names being tossed out will likely want some more autonomy
In a conciliatory mode, to the extent that it’s possible, I think there’s probably more headroom for fundamentals coaching to help a player like Duran, who came up as an amateur in the infield, than there is somebody who’s a lifer at their position.
The Cora stuff almost reads as "GM in waiting" or "GM by proxy"
I honestly would be surprised if its not Romero (CBO) with bringing in some new blood as GM.
I honestly would be surprised if its not Romero (CBO) with bringing in some new blood as GM.
Hire Fuld as GM-ish then swap him with Cora for Mgr with a raise next season. Think it’s not happening but oddly could make them both better ultimately.
Also I’m somehow not comforted the search is being described by Sam Kennedy as ‘deliberate and consistent’ and ‘a much different process from last time.’ Am I falling for selective soundbite selection or is that supposed to mean something?
Also I’m somehow not comforted the search is being described by Sam Kennedy as ‘deliberate and consistent’ and ‘a much different process from last time.’ Am I falling for selective soundbite selection or is that supposed to mean something?
Pretty sure Bloom was their only actual interview last time around. He was the guy they targeted from the jump and he wanted the job.
They haven't really cast a wide net and interviewed a bunch of candidates for the head of baseball ops in 20 years. Dombrowski was hired before there was even a vacancy. Cherington was elevated when Theo left. Even the search that resulted in Theo I don't recall there being a bunch of interviews. It was basically "we want Billy Beane" and when he said no, they went with Theo.
1. Fuld has already been quoted as saying he prefers a front office role over a dugout job., so I don't seeing him wanting to swap roles after a year.
2. The Sox had multiple "candidates" last time, but Antonetti refused to talk to them (Francona likely did not put speak highly of ownership) and Hazen signed an extension.
That helps fill in the empty space around those comments from Sam. Makes sense in that context, thanks I had little recall of the prior ‘searches’
I am hopeful Cora's role is simply to provide input. Drew Bledsoe famously provided a very strong recommendation to bring in Belichick as Pete Carroll's replacement. Didn't stop Bill from dumping Drew two years later to a division rival.
Unfortunately I get the impression Cora has far more power than Drew, who Kraft adored.
Cotillo wrote about the ongoing search this evening:
Repeating something he has said frequently in the 2 ½ weeks since firing Bloom, Kennedy said the Red Sox plan to interview both internal and external candidates. Within the organization, assistant general managers Eddie Romero and Raquel Ferreira seem to have the best shot. Externally, Phillies GM Sam Fuld seems to have the club’s interest and Dodgers senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes has been linked to the position in baseball circles in recent weeks. Byrnes’ colleague Brandon Gomes is another publicly rumored candidate along with Amiel Sawdaye (Arizona assistant GM), James Click (Toronto vice president of baseball strategy) and Thad Levine (Minnesota GM). If the Red Sox attempt to take a big swing, Arizona’s Mike Hazen, Cleveland’s Chris Antonetti, Miami’s Kim Ng and Oakland’s David Forst could be targets. Former GM Theo Epstein and current manager Alex Cora have been ruled out.
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/10/sam-kennedy-provides-update-on-where-red-sox-gm-search-stands.html
Repeating something he has said frequently in the 2 ½ weeks since firing Bloom, Kennedy said the Red Sox plan to interview both internal and external candidates. Within the organization, assistant general managers Eddie Romero and Raquel Ferreira seem to have the best shot. Externally, Phillies GM Sam Fuld seems to have the club’s interest and Dodgers senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes has been linked to the position in baseball circles in recent weeks. Byrnes’ colleague Brandon Gomes is another publicly rumored candidate along with Amiel Sawdaye (Arizona assistant GM), James Click (Toronto vice president of baseball strategy) and Thad Levine (Minnesota GM). If the Red Sox attempt to take a big swing, Arizona’s Mike Hazen, Cleveland’s Chris Antonetti, Miami’s Kim Ng and Oakland’s David Forst could be targets. Former GM Theo Epstein and current manager Alex Cora have been ruled out.
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/10/sam-kennedy-provides-update-on-where-red-sox-gm-search-stands.html
Why is David Forst seen as a “big swing”? Feels like hiring the GM of the worst team in baseball would be a tough sell to the fans.
I would be disappointed with Forst but those are some ridiculous financial (and likely other) constraints he’s dealing with in that dreadful scenario over there. And to his credit, the A’s were terrific from 2018-21 without exceeding a $96M payroll in any of those years.
OTOH, Oakland thoroughly botched all six of the Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, Matt Chapman, Chris Bassitt, Sonny Gray and Sean Manaea trades, and gave up Jonah Heim to a division rival for nothing.
So yeah, I think if the goal is to change the PR and culture around the team, David Forst is a bad pick. He would not do that.
OTOH, Oakland thoroughly botched all six of the Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, Matt Chapman, Chris Bassitt, Sonny Gray and Sean Manaea trades, and gave up Jonah Heim to a division rival for nothing.
So yeah, I think if the goal is to change the PR and culture around the team, David Forst is a bad pick. He would not do that.
Here's a look at the mismanagement of the A's teardown under Forst. Not exactly the track record you would want in someone running our FO:
https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/the-as-teardown-is-not-going-well/
https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/the-as-teardown-is-not-going-well/
let the warning of Mike Scioscia stand as an example of how not to do things.
Tony Mazz in the past month or so has cited more than once the Scioscia example positively as a model of how to set things up. We do know ownership thought enough of Mazz to have him work games previously.
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This back and forth between Kennedy/Cora and the media is telling regarding how Kennedy says the new GM-type will run all baseball operations, but that doesn't include picking the manager
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/10/will-red-sox-gm-truly-run-all-aspects-if-not-allowed-to-pick-own-manager.html
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/10/will-red-sox-gm-truly-run-all-aspects-if-not-allowed-to-pick-own-manager.html
I'm thinking that any really good GM candidate would want to have control over who the manager is. If that's not the case, then they withdraw from consideration.
Leaving the Sox to choose someone from the "B" pool.
Leaving the Sox to choose someone from the "B" pool.
I don't know, Cora seems very well respected within the game. There could be GM candidates who wouldn't mind not having to deal with filling the manager position in their first offseason, and devote that time to the many, many other things they need to do.
As long as ownership is telling them that they have the loudest voice in asking for his retention/removal at the end of 2024, that may be enough.
As long as ownership is telling them that they have the loudest voice in asking for his retention/removal at the end of 2024, that may be enough.
But Kennedy makes clear that Cora is involved not only in the GM search, but the decisions the team will make in the offseason. So it sounds like the GM will have to have Cora's okay on those "many, many other things."
Ah. Yeah, that's dumb. Never mind, we'll probably hire some internal paper-pusher.
It's sad when the Mets appear to have a healthier plan than you...
View: https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1708974104894693490
Yeah, our people will be aligned if they hire a yes man for Cora... but we should be aligned from top down, not in reverse.
View: https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1708974104894693490
Yeah, our people will be aligned if they hire a yes man for Cora... but we should be aligned from top down, not in reverse.
Is the bolded true? I mean, any more than most other coaches/managers? By whom? It seems the players like to play for them but that's not necessarily an endorsement on who you want running the team. Maybe they like him because he doesn't make them do dumb-ass defensive drills or something?
The general point of all this is that this isn't really the same as when DD inherited Farrell as I don't recall the FO really going public about their support for Farrell as part of the brains of the management for the future like they have with Cora. They've signaled to all the potential candidates that they need to fit into Cora's plan, not the opposite which I would expect is the case for any managers that are inherited.
Honestly if the next GM can put together 5 actual starting pitchers and a league average defense, I am not sure he or she will have to worry about Cora going up the back stairs to management.
It is a bit odd that Cora has a lot of sway in these decisions, but he is loyal to the Sox and vice versa.
Personally I have not been thrilled with the clubs' lack of preparation, fundamentals, and penchant to do dumb things on the field. To widen the scope a bit, since 2019 the team has been depleted of star power and competent big leaguers. It is incredibly frustrating.
I'm sure Cora didn't align with Dombrowski 100%, but DD put some talent on the field and let AC do his thing.
The club went into 2022 with no 1B or RF. They went into 2023 with no (competent) shortstop and Corey Kluber as an Opening Day starter. It has just been flat out unacceptable.
We need more dudes. Its about the Jimmys and Joes, and we can leave the X's and O's for later.
It is a bit odd that Cora has a lot of sway in these decisions, but he is loyal to the Sox and vice versa.
Personally I have not been thrilled with the clubs' lack of preparation, fundamentals, and penchant to do dumb things on the field. To widen the scope a bit, since 2019 the team has been depleted of star power and competent big leaguers. It is incredibly frustrating.
I'm sure Cora didn't align with Dombrowski 100%, but DD put some talent on the field and let AC do his thing.
The club went into 2022 with no 1B or RF. They went into 2023 with no (competent) shortstop and Corey Kluber as an Opening Day starter. It has just been flat out unacceptable.
We need more dudes. Its about the Jimmys and Joes, and we can leave the X's and O's for later.
Maybe the Sox can just save some money and have Cora do both jobs. He can be the baseball version of BB for Boston. It could totally work.
I would imagine that we'd have heard about it over the past few weeks if Cora was persona non grata throughout the bigs. It's anonymous source, back stabbing season, after all.
It's crazy they don't have a CBO... but there are all kinds of leaks about their plan for the off season.
View: https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1709211150783578620
An internal candidate makes way more sense given how they've positioned this. Someone from outside the org coming in just to keep the seat warm for AC seems like a hard sell.
As long as they have a strong bench coach to manage games when GM Cora is late from shopping for the groceries.
These things are not unrelated. A strong CBO makes sure that stuff doesn't leak, except their own plant stories of course. Having none leads to this nonsense.
To beat a dead horse, the way that Kennedy is talking it doesn't seem that this is going to change after they hire a CBO. Whoever it is won't have the authority and hierarchy to instill any kind of organizational discipline.
Is there anything novel in those leaks? Seems like every team that was sent home yesterday has similar articles being written about them today, with quotes from anonymous sources sprinkled throughout.
The Washington Post did a feature piece on the D-backs front office this morning.
I've previously opined that there's zero chance of Hazen coming here and this just solidifies my feelings on that. I wonder about Sawdaye. They have a unique situation down there and work with a patient, supportive ownership group. Patient being the key word. He may not feel very compelled to break up the band and leave that right now with all that's happened. It also sounds he is perpetually just one text message away from having to take the reins at any given time. But on the flip side, if he can be the point man in a tough situation like that, he's got more experience than his role on paper would suggest and may be looking for the next step or a title/pay commensurate with how much he's actually doing. If AZ aren't already planning that.
David Forst just isn't that inspiring; I feel like we've been hearing his name bandied about since about 2006-2007 in the same "young up and coming" articles with guys like Cherington, Antonetti, and Hoyer. They're all closing in on 50 now and everyone else in that class has been promoted faster and done more, and new crops of "up and coming" have also climbed ladders across organizations, and there Forst sits. It makes you wonder why.
WaPo
I've previously opined that there's zero chance of Hazen coming here and this just solidifies my feelings on that. I wonder about Sawdaye. They have a unique situation down there and work with a patient, supportive ownership group. Patient being the key word. He may not feel very compelled to break up the band and leave that right now with all that's happened. It also sounds he is perpetually just one text message away from having to take the reins at any given time. But on the flip side, if he can be the point man in a tough situation like that, he's got more experience than his role on paper would suggest and may be looking for the next step or a title/pay commensurate with how much he's actually doing. If AZ aren't already planning that.
David Forst just isn't that inspiring; I feel like we've been hearing his name bandied about since about 2006-2007 in the same "young up and coming" articles with guys like Cherington, Antonetti, and Hoyer. They're all closing in on 50 now and everyone else in that class has been promoted faster and done more, and new crops of "up and coming" have also climbed ladders across organizations, and there Forst sits. It makes you wonder why.
Can he pitch?
I can't recall any other team that provided a manager this kind of role in choosing who is technically his boss. Any examples?
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