Who Should replace Torre?
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by Audino237
A new era in the Bronx is officially upon us. George Steinbrenner has stepped down into a consultant's role, and his sons, Hank and Hal, are now controlling the reins of the franchise. At today's conference call, Joe Torre announced that he has declined the Yankees one-year offer with incentives and a team option for 2009. I am glad that they gave him the chance to return (no matter how half-assed an offer it may have been) and that he got to leave on his own accord. The issues of Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettite (the last 3 who will forever be linked with Torre) will be interesting to follow in coming weeks, but today's big news is that of the Yankees starting a managerial search.
Here are a list of possibilites for the opening.
1. Don Mattingly- Donnie Baseball is regarded as an organizational favorite for the job. He learned under Torre as the bench coach and has a similar, laid back demeanor. He was an All-Star player in his prime (before back issues) and was a crowd favorite in the Bronx. You have to love how the team keeps ex-players in the family. The players seem to like him, and the fans would certainly embrace him. He is a player's manager, and he would be a welcome choice to the players, especially if they choose to re-sign their core veterans who don't need to be babysat. Despite reports earlier in the week that Mattingly was hesitant to replace Torre, all signs point to him being the next Skipper. One thing that I have not heard that would be valuable to the Yankees is the stability that Mattingly would bring. Pitching Coach Ron Guidry, who was probably good as gone when news spread that Torre would be canned, may stay now. The same goes for hitting coach Kevin Long, whom A-Rod has developed a tight bond with.
2. Joe Girardi- It's not often that a young, rookie manager wins NL Manager of the Year with a young, inexperienced team with very little revenue or fan base. It's even less often that he is fired following the season. CEO Jeffrey Loria was never in love with Girardi and his clashing with management, so he let him go. Instead of seeking another managerial job, he chose to go to YES and broadcast, perhaps anticipating that he would get the chance to manage in pinstripes in the coming years. Girardi is a former Yankee who was hard-nosed and the fans embraced. He is widely regarded as the co-favorite (just behind Mattingly) in the race to become the next manager. I have a few concerns with Girardi, however. He is certainly a good manager, you can't doubt that. But the Yankees are in the midst of a youth movement. The Marlins did the same thing and were successful. Girardi overused his young arms and many of them suffered injuries and ineffectiveness this year, probably the consequences of getting run into the ground in 2006. Yes, Torre often overused his "favorites" in the pen, rendering them ineffective late in the year, but the use of young pitchers is an extremely sensitive topic in the Evil Empire these days. I also believe that Girardi may be a little "too" firey for the team's liking (if they indeed re-sign veterans). Girardi would probably be the right choice if they opted to go towards cutting ties with the old generation.
3. Tony La Russa- The manager of the Cardinals is one year removed from a World Series Ring. He certainly has the resume to take over, but the question that must be asked whenever coaching in New York is brought up (whether it be baseball, football, hockey, or basketball) is if the man has the makeup to succeed here and embrace the criticsm. La Russa has rings and has a similar style to Torre. The last few years he has managed veteran teams in St. Louis, and has been successful with younger teams in the past. Though the midwestern media is nowhere as fierce as New York, the Cardinals have a ridiculously large fan base that cares about the team, and he has largely delivered. He has done well managing personalities in the past (see Jose Canseco), and quiet superstars like Albert Pujols. He has done a good job keeping a patchwork pitching staff this year afloat. If he does not want to continue in St. Louis after GM Walt Jocketty was booted, New York would be a good fit, if he is taken seriously.
4. Larry Bowa- I don't know why more people are not mentioning this as a possibility, but Larry Bowa should at least merit an interview. He has been likeable as a 3rd base coach. Maybe he has mellowed with age and being around a veteran team, but you know he still has that desire in his heart. The players speak the world of him to the media, and he has had previous success. His run-ins with star player Scott Rolen during their days together in Philadelphia are a little scary, and the Steinbrenner boys might want to know what they're getting into with a Mattingly, Girardi, or La Russa. There has been no rumblings about Bowa leaving if a change is made. His name never being floated for jobs gives me a hankering that he likes his job as a 3rd base coach and is content doing so, at least on a big stage.
5. Buck Showalter- If we know one thing about Steinbrenner, it is that he is loyal (except maybe with Torre). He likes surrounding himself with players and coaches who have been good soldiers for him in the past, and that creates a sense of family and togetherness. Showalter understands the Yankee way, as he played in the system, and spent many years here. He is a 2-time manager of the year. Showalter seems to wear out his welcome wherever he goes. I can't help but realize that after "setting the table" for the Yankees and Diamondbacks, he was canned and the teams enjoyed success. He would only be considered if the Yankees choose to clean house and make a commitment to lower the payroll and stock the roster with young, homegrown talent.
6. Tony Pena- The current first base coach seems like a great guy with a good baseball mind. For whatever it is worth, he is always seen strategizing and chatting with the Yankees on first, and even joking with the first basemen. He may be a new kind of manager in New York, as very easy-going with a good sense of humor that he showed in Kansas City in his 3 seasons managing. Since they had very little talent during his campaign, so his record of 198-285 can probably be thrown out. One discouraging thing may be that he quit in 2005 after starting 8-25. Also, since he came from Kansas City, no one knows how he would handle the bright lights of the city, and it is best that they don't take a gamble. Hopefully, he will be back as a coach.
7. Dave Miley- The current coach at SWB has some major league experience. If Mattingly truly is not ready, Girardi, Bowa and Pena don't want the job, I believe that he will be considered, especially with the influx of young talent. Of course, the managerial choice depends on how they move towards the future and what choices they will make in trades and free agency, but they should shoot higher.
8. Bobby Valentine- I know, I know. I think it's crazy too. But for some reason, his name is being floated. The Yankees would not want to give Bobby V a contract to come over from Japan, though he has had tremendous success there, in baseball and marketing. However, the Yankees don't need help in the PR department. The Yankee-mantra is that of professionalism, respect, and dignity, and I am not so sure Bobby V is the man to lead them into the new stadium and era.
Dark Horse: Clint Hurdle: The manager of the Rockies had done an outstanding job this year, even before this absolutely incredible run into/through the playoffs. They overachieved all season, and they have a good mix of vets and young players, which is exactly what the Yankees want to achieve. I doubt that he will leave Colorado, especially if they win the World Series. Given the love affair with the city, the Rockies should pony up to keep Hurdle in THEIR pinstripes for years to come. They play with emotion, fire, and smarts, and if the Bombers can persuade him to come to the Big Apple, they should.
