One thing that I said coming into the 2013 season was the fact that most MLB teams had a manager in place for the balance of the season. I felt this way based on the amount of teams that changed managers during the offseason. More importantly, teams that seem to have a long way to go, such as Miami, Houston and even Colorado, put in place managers they plan to stick with for the next several years. But, as always, teams underperform and it is difficult to predict what teams will change managers before a season starts.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been the lone team to make an inseason change, replacing Charlie Manuel with Ryne Sandberg. Among teams that had high expectations, the Phillies are among a group of teams like the Angels, Blue Jays and Nationals who many thought could be postseason teams in 2013. That will not happen. Davey Johnson will likely retire from managing after this season, so the Nationals are likely to be looking for a new manager next season. No question the Nationals have been a disappointment, but Johnson's saving grace is the fact he did GM Mike Rizzo a favor by taking the job from Jim Riggleman in 2011 when Riggleman abruptly resigned. Those two reasons have convinced me Johnson will manage through the rest of the season.
My view on the Angels and Scioscia has changed this year. Though I feel owner Arte Moreno and GM Jerry DiPoto are more to blame for the team's struggle this year, the fact that the team has sunk so low is usually an indictment of the manager. Scioscia will get a new job almost as soon as he is let go, but unless DiPoto takes the fall, the Angels will have a new manager in 2014. The expectations were so high... so that begs the question, Do the Angels organization need to have a sacrificial lamb like the Phillies had with Manuel? If so, should they give a prospective manager a look to see if he can have a different impact on the roster as it is constructed? I lean towards having Scioscia finish out the season and would be surprise if he was replaced right now.
There was some expectations for the Seattle Mariners as well. A young pitching staff with some developing position players was the model the Oakland Athletics used last year. Some have blamed GM Jack Zduriencik for the scouting and development. If this was expected to be the season for the Mariners to make a push, it can be considered a disappointment. If so, perhaps the Mariners could use a different voice in the dugout. Manager Eric Wedge has done little to distinguish himself in both his time in Cleveland and in Seattle. I wonder if Wedge is the man the Mariners plan to go forward with. If not, I can see the Mariners thinking about making a change this season as opposed to the off season. I think the Mariners will wait until the season is over, as Zduriencik's job status will likely be among the discussion of the organization going forward.
One place that should see a managerial change is Toronto. The Blue Jays hired John Gibbons without whining and dining him. Since Gibbons was a previous manager with Toronto, it seemed like a man who would take a job. It is almost certain he will take the fall for what has happened this year. In my opinion, it would make sense for the Jays to make a change, as the team that is constructed will likely be in place next season. It would be a good idea to see a new voice in that dugout. I think the odds are the Toronto Blue Jays can build a little momentum for 2014.
Out of the 3 AL teams I mentioned, I would not be shocked if any of their managers are replaced. However, it would be the most sensible to see a change in Toronto. Agree or disagree?
The Philadelphia Phillies have been the lone team to make an inseason change, replacing Charlie Manuel with Ryne Sandberg. Among teams that had high expectations, the Phillies are among a group of teams like the Angels, Blue Jays and Nationals who many thought could be postseason teams in 2013. That will not happen. Davey Johnson will likely retire from managing after this season, so the Nationals are likely to be looking for a new manager next season. No question the Nationals have been a disappointment, but Johnson's saving grace is the fact he did GM Mike Rizzo a favor by taking the job from Jim Riggleman in 2011 when Riggleman abruptly resigned. Those two reasons have convinced me Johnson will manage through the rest of the season.
My view on the Angels and Scioscia has changed this year. Though I feel owner Arte Moreno and GM Jerry DiPoto are more to blame for the team's struggle this year, the fact that the team has sunk so low is usually an indictment of the manager. Scioscia will get a new job almost as soon as he is let go, but unless DiPoto takes the fall, the Angels will have a new manager in 2014. The expectations were so high... so that begs the question, Do the Angels organization need to have a sacrificial lamb like the Phillies had with Manuel? If so, should they give a prospective manager a look to see if he can have a different impact on the roster as it is constructed? I lean towards having Scioscia finish out the season and would be surprise if he was replaced right now.
There was some expectations for the Seattle Mariners as well. A young pitching staff with some developing position players was the model the Oakland Athletics used last year. Some have blamed GM Jack Zduriencik for the scouting and development. If this was expected to be the season for the Mariners to make a push, it can be considered a disappointment. If so, perhaps the Mariners could use a different voice in the dugout. Manager Eric Wedge has done little to distinguish himself in both his time in Cleveland and in Seattle. I wonder if Wedge is the man the Mariners plan to go forward with. If not, I can see the Mariners thinking about making a change this season as opposed to the off season. I think the Mariners will wait until the season is over, as Zduriencik's job status will likely be among the discussion of the organization going forward.
One place that should see a managerial change is Toronto. The Blue Jays hired John Gibbons without whining and dining him. Since Gibbons was a previous manager with Toronto, it seemed like a man who would take a job. It is almost certain he will take the fall for what has happened this year. In my opinion, it would make sense for the Jays to make a change, as the team that is constructed will likely be in place next season. It would be a good idea to see a new voice in that dugout. I think the odds are the Toronto Blue Jays can build a little momentum for 2014.
Out of the 3 AL teams I mentioned, I would not be shocked if any of their managers are replaced. However, it would be the most sensible to see a change in Toronto. Agree or disagree?
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