According to MLB trade rumors, it seems like the Toronto Blue Jays are close to naming their next manager. Reports are, it will be former Nationals and Indians manager Manny Acta. The Jays have gotten most of the talk of this young offseason, as they pulled off the blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins and added OF Melky Cabrera as a free agent. Though this team is not guaranteed anything coming into the season, they obviously have every opportunity to be much better given the increase in talent the team has added. In my opinion, the best man for this job is Jim Riggleman.
Riggleman was Acta's bench coach during their time in Washington, and managed the Nationals when the team started to improve. Riggleman's black eye resignates from his resignation during the middle of the season after leading the Nationals to a winning record. Riggleman felt he was not considered the long-term solution in Washington and wanted an extension to get the sense of some job security. That being said, he is still considered one of the better baseball minds and at least, should serve as a team's bench coach this season. As much as he can be blamed for giving GM Mike Rizzo an ultimatum, he should deserve a chance to manage again in the big leagues.
Riggleman does not bring in the best MLB managing resume. Most of his credit goes to his baseball knowledge and the fact that he has been trusted with a couple different kind of teams. When he took over in San Diego, he got to manage a team that had enough talent to win. He was part of the carousel of managers brought in to try to get this team to win, something that continued to fail until Bruce Bochy took over. After being let go after the strike shortened 1994 season, he landed in Chicago leading the Cubs to a winning record in 1995. He also saw the transition of leadership, or a least best player, from Ryne Sandberg to Sammy Sosa. This resulted in the team becoming a playoff team in 1998 after two losing seasons.
After he was let go following the 1999 season, he was not given another crack at managing a team. He spent 2000-2004 as the bench coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers and after becoming Seattle Mariners bench coach in 2008, taking over as manager when John McLaren was fired. He was named bench coach in Washington the following season and replaced Acta that same season.
He made an impact on Chicago and Washington, making both better. Though Davey Johnson has done a great job with the Nationals, Riggleman got them close enough that it could be stated that they may have won the division with him still at the helm. It is hard to say, but Riggleman still leaves doubt over how good of a manager he is.
Hopefully, he is getting consideration. Perhaps teams have shyed away because of the incident in Washington. I would be curious to see if he could win with a team like Toronto. If they struggle, we can close the book on Riggleman as a big league manager. Even if Acta does get the job, it would be wise if he brings back Riggleman to be his bench coach.
Riggleman does not bring in the best MLB managing resume. Most of his credit goes to his baseball knowledge and the fact that he has been trusted with a couple different kind of teams. When he took over in San Diego, he got to manage a team that had enough talent to win. He was part of the carousel of managers brought in to try to get this team to win, something that continued to fail until Bruce Bochy took over. After being let go after the strike shortened 1994 season, he landed in Chicago leading the Cubs to a winning record in 1995. He also saw the transition of leadership, or a least best player, from Ryne Sandberg to Sammy Sosa. This resulted in the team becoming a playoff team in 1998 after two losing seasons.
After he was let go following the 1999 season, he was not given another crack at managing a team. He spent 2000-2004 as the bench coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers and after becoming Seattle Mariners bench coach in 2008, taking over as manager when John McLaren was fired. He was named bench coach in Washington the following season and replaced Acta that same season.
He made an impact on Chicago and Washington, making both better. Though Davey Johnson has done a great job with the Nationals, Riggleman got them close enough that it could be stated that they may have won the division with him still at the helm. It is hard to say, but Riggleman still leaves doubt over how good of a manager he is.
Hopefully, he is getting consideration. Perhaps teams have shyed away because of the incident in Washington. I would be curious to see if he could win with a team like Toronto. If they struggle, we can close the book on Riggleman as a big league manager. Even if Acta does get the job, it would be wise if he brings back Riggleman to be his bench coach.
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