Nationals Managerial Candidates Abound
I really think that the Nationals, with no current manager, are in a better situation than they were a month ago. Matt Williams really screwed this team out of two really high potential years so congrats Nats fans because it can’t get worse and congratulations to non-Nats fans because now you don’t have to complain about us frequently complaining about the worst manager in baseball. So, who will the Nationals select as their next manager? the short list is already getting pretty long.
The Good:
Ron Wotus: Wotus is the Giants current bench coach (and has been in that role since 1999). The Giants manager, Bruce Bochy is credited with being one of the best player development guys in all of baseball and just last season, Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik, and Matt Duffy all came out of nowhere to accrue three excellent seasons. Bruce Bochy certainly deserves lots of the credit for the successes of these players but Wotus, a former MLB middle infielder, deserves praise as Bochy’s #2. He’s even said “I really want (a managerial job) to happen for him. I know I’ve talked to people, different clubs, about him. … There can’t be a more prepared person to manage.” Wotus is my #1 pick for Nats manager.
Dave Martinez: The current Chicago Cubs bench coach has been coaching under Joe Maddon since 2008 and, say what you want about Maddon but he brings results. Martinez was the favored pick to manage the Tampa Bay Rays after Maddon jumped to Chicago but was ultimately passed over for the job and followed Joe Maddon to Chicago. Rays Alex Cobb and Evan Longoria each had high praise for Martinez; “Cobb said Martinez “would be a great manager. He has a great relationship with all the players. Can relate to us and knows how the culture has been here.” Longoria called Martinez “kind of the obvious pick” on MLB Network, also noting the continuity he would provide.”
Tim Wallach: The 3rd bench coach on the list, Tim Wallach has served the LA Dodgers since 2004 (first as a hitting coach then as the manager of their AAA affiliate where he won that league’s manager of the year award) and as the team’s bench coach in 2014 and 2015. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was recently fired so one would imagine Wallach would be a top option for LA but, if he doesn’t receive that job, an opportunity with the Nationals would be welcome for the highly-regarded bench coach who said “When I came up, it was more about managing the game,” he said. “Williams didn’t spend any time worrying about what the players thought. Now, the most important thing is to get the guys to play for you.” Oakley swag? 10 million
Andy Green: Green’s minor league managerial record is actually quite impressive. In 2012 in the Pioneer League (Rookie league), Green won the championship and was subsequently promoted to a AA team where he won the manager of the year award in 2013. He followed up his successful year with a 2nd consecutive manager of the year award in 2014. The specs are great but, in 2015, he was promoted to 3rd base coach for the Arizona DBacks and we all know what happened last time the nationals hired the DBacks’ 3rd Base Coach. I like Green as a good manager in the future but would prefer any of the 3 aforementioned bench coaches over him.
Bud Black: Everyone knows who Bud Black is, the former Padres manager never really put together any great seasons but that was more of a product of the lack of talent on his roster than his managerial skills. Black was let go after a 32-33 start to the 2015 season for a Padres team that ultimately went 74-88 (If anything, Black improved the team’s performances). The former pitching coach would be a solid fit in DC and could really work with the team’s bullpen pieces and utilize the proper relief pitchers when necessary – this was one of Matt Williams’ biggest weaknesses.
The Bad:
Cal Ripken Jr.: I know he played a lot of consecutive games but I really don’t give a shit. He’s managed 0 and he hasn’t been on a coaching staff at all. Choosing an individual with so little experience (read: no experience) is just dumb because the best case scenario is that he is as good as someone with experience and the worst case scenario is that he is much much worse. There is no upside aside from name recognition here.
Ron Gardenhire: Gardenhire was clearly managing in an era past his time over the past few years. The former Twins skipper had some great seasons but favored the sacrifice bunt a LOT more than any current MLB manager should be doing. Small sample size but Gardenhire’s 6-21 record in the post-season is not very inspiring. Is he an upgrade over Matt Williams? Definitely. Is he currently worthy of managing one of the 30 MLB teams? Definitely not.
Dusty Baker: Dusty Baker could actually give Matt Williams a run for his money. Baker is just an awful manager and the fact that he is even being interviewed for the job scares me. Thankfully, Nate’s spinzone makes me feel a bit more comfortable.
Phil Nevin: I don’t have anything against Nevin but the fact that he was fired as manager from the Tigers AA affiliate isn’t exactly an inspiring line to put on your resume. Would he be terrible? I’m not sure but I’d guess ‘no.’ Will he be above-average at managing? Highly, highly unlikely.
Ruben Amaro Jr.: LOL
There are several good and realistic options available to Mike Rizzo and the Nationals and we just have to hope that he makes the right choice (and that the desire for a manager with experience expands to include candidates with minor league managing experience and/or work as bench coach for MLB teams.
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