Leo: Managerial Madness

For the first time in modern baseball history, the Red Sox, Cubs, and Cardinals are all simultaneously looking for a leader. Three of the most storied franchises in baseball are trying to start a new chapter, hoping the person they hire will be the right fit to win championships.

In addition to those clubs, the White Sox made a change this offseason, hiring Robin Ventura. Ozzie Guillen went from Chicago to the Marlins.

 

Concerning the candidates for the open jobs…

Lehigh Valley IronPigs skipper Ryne Sandberg, the Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman, was told immediately that he wouldn’t be considered for the Chicago job. He is, however, in the mix for the Cardinals post.

Former Clippers skipper Torey Lovullo is set to interview for the Boston job, he spent the 2010 season as Pawtucket’s skipper before going to Toronto as first base coach.

Cleveland Indians coach and former Tribe star Sandy Alomar Jr. is being considered for the Cubs and Red Sox jobs, maybe others as well.

Mike Maddux withdrew himself from consideration in Boston, but has interviewed with the Cubs.

Terry Francona left Boston, but is being considered in St. Louis.

Is your heading spinning yet???

 

All of this managerial madness leads me to this question, what is the best managerial job in baseball?

In terms of Triple-A baseball, Columbus has to be one of the best places to manage. Mike Sarbaugh has mentioned this on a few occasions. It’s a great sports city, tremendous ballpark, and an affiliate of the Indians, an organization with a solid player development reputation. In my mind, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place as a Triple-A skipper.

What about in the major leagues?

Is it New York Yankees where the resources are seemingly unlimited? The pressure to win a championship every season make that a difficult place to succeed.

Is it a place like Pittsburgh where there is only the only direction to go is up? The Pirates have endured 19 consecutive losing seasons, so (in theory) it wouldn’t take as much to win the hearts of the fans and front office.

The larger market clubs will typically spend more on a manager, so that plays a role too. What about ownership and front office situations? Every manager has to examine their confidence in the ownership, general manager, or others that will help make the decisions can ultimately lead to the success/failure of a skipper.

Which of the three current MLB openings is the best situation?

* The Red Sox finally broke the “Curse of the Bambino” in 2004 and the fans in Beantown have large expectations in a tough AL East Division.

* The Cardinals are coming off a World Series title and are looking to replace a soon to be Hall of Fame skipper.

* The Cubs haven’t won a championship in 103 years and some very good managers have tried there and failed.

Send me you managerial thoughts and ramblings at sleo@clippersbaseball.com

 

Clippings…

* The Indians are reportedly interested in 34 year-old Japanese pitcher Shinobu Fukuhara.

* Jonah Keri has this story on Grantland.com about Cleveland’s acquisition of Derek Lowe and the outlook in Cleveland for 2012.

* Former Clippers outfielder Melky Cabrera was dealt from Kansas City to San Francisco for Jonathan Sanchez. Cabrera played parts of the 2005 and 2006 seasons in Columbus. Sanchez pitched four seasons at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus. He threw four no hitters and once recorded 16 strikeouts in a game. I once interviewed Cabrera in english while he answered only in spanish, it was Clippers radio gold!

* Jason Donald will be battling for a spot on the Cleveland roster in spring, Jordan Bastian has this story on the trying season that Donald endured.

* Pitching prospect Cory Burns discusses his unorthodox delivery in this Arizona Fall League video.

* I hope you’ve been listening to the weekly “Tribe Talk” radio program with Indians broadcaster Jim Rosenhaus. I’ll have a Hot Stove Q & A with Rosenhaus posted here on the blog next week.

* John Wagner of the Toledo Blade is speculation on the Mud Hens 2012 roster: Starting Pitchers, Relief Pitchers, Catchers, and Infielders. He’ll have the outfielders posted on Friday.

* Travis Buck has signed with the Astros.

 

That’s all for now. Talk to you soon!
RING YOUR BELL!