The Major League Baseball season is just about over and for some managers, that also means their days of employment too. Like every season in every sport, the day after the regular season can be termed "Black Monday", because a good amount of coaches relieved of their duties. So what MLB managers will be heading to the unemployment office?I don't know the answer to that question but I do have an opinion on all of them. So what I've decided to do is go team-by-team and assess whether the team should let the manager stay or let him go. I'm only doing this for 20 teams, because as I write this, 10 teams are either in the playoffs or fighting for a playoff spot. I think it's pretty safe to say the managers of those teams aren't going anywhere.
Cleveland: Eric Wedge - As I began writing this post, I saw on my twitter page that Wedge and his entire coaching staff had been let go. That's good because I was set to say the same thing. While I commend Wedge for what he did for the team in his tenure, I was never a fan of his. He allowed starters to pitch way too long, he didn't manage the bullpen well, and never learned how bunting/sacrificing can lead to runs on the scoreboard. His own players apparently liked him but I think it says something when in an ESPN the Magazine players poll, he was among the top 5 in "Managers I Do Not Want To Play For". I'm not sure if he'll ever manage in the majors again. Expect another post from me about this subject later. FATE: LET HIM GO ( ALREADY GONE)
Arizona: A.J. Hinch - At 35, he's the youngest manager in the majors. And in his time so far, he's gone 56-72. That's not awful but not great either. I still think the team made a mistake in firing Bob Melvin, the winningest manager in team history. The D'Backs have a wealth of talent, including Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, so Hinch should be able to succeed with this team. I say the jury is still out on him but just 8 wins in September is scary. FATE: LET HIM STAY (BUT PROVE YOURSELF)
Baltimore: Dave Trembley - The numbers speak for themselves with Trembley. He took over the team in 2007 and guided the troubled team to a 40-53 end. Some expected them to turn it around after that, but instead, it's just gotten worse. In 2008, the Orioles finished 68-93. This year, they won't get that far, already at 60-97. And to make it worse, they've lost their last 12 in a row. Not exactly the best way to convince management you deserve to stay. This team has a young core with Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Jeremy Guthrie and others to build around. Unfortunately, I don't Trembley should be part of the foundation. FATE: LET HIM GO
Chicago White Sox: Ozzie Guillen - In 6 years with the White Sox, this will only be Ozzie's second losing season. That's not bad for the team that many consider Chicago's second team. Of course, he did win a World Series in his second year but I think that good feeling has started to wear off. Ozzie's outspoken nature is fun to watch but for players and upper management, it's probably a bit much. One has to wonder if Ozzie's personality is hurting the team more than helping. I think Ozzie's job is safe but in such a weak division, the Sox need to compete in 2010. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Chicago Cubs: Lou Piniella - The guy has 1,844 wins. He's won a World Series title and is still the king of meltdowns on the field. But none of that is helping the Cubs win ballgames. Sweet Lou and said over and over how much he blames himself for the Cubs woes. After a while, one has to wonder if he blames himself, why do they keep him? With the money, fan base, and talent the Cubs have, they should be much better than the 82-74 they are right now. I personally think Lou may retire before the Cubs fire him. He's getting too old to worry about Milton Bradley, curses, etc... FATE: LET HIM STAY (BUT HE MAY GO)
Cincinnati: Dusty Baker - This team fell apart after the All-Star Game. They won just 3 games from July 16-Aug 4. That stretch single-handedly killed any momentum this had. But credit Baker for keeping the team respectable. Since that awful stretch, the team has turned it around. After a mediocre August, the team had a sizzling September with 17 wins. Now, a team that at one point was near the bottom of the NL will finish around .500. His contract ends after the 2010 season and as of now, he's a lame duck manager. FATE: LET HIM STAY (AND EXTEND ONE YEAR)
Florida: Fredi Gonzalez - The good thing is that in each of his 3 years, the Marlins have improved under Gonzalez. The bad thing is that they still haven't made the playoffs. Gonzalez has been given plenty of young talent to work with and for the most part, he's gotten the most out of it. Now, one has to wonder when this team will break out. They jumped out of the gates fast but fizzled late when they had a chance to make a run at the wild-card. The players seem to like him and no one is calling for his head. But to keep it that way, he needs to get this team into playoff contention in 2010, no matter how tough that division may be. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Houston: Dave Clark - I question why the Astros even fired Cecil Cooper before the season ended. Yes, maybe he deserved to go and/or they needed to make a change but with 2 weeks left in the season? Just odd. As for Dave Clark, I don't have much to go on here. I do think it'd be a mistake for this team to keep anyone from Cooper's staff. This team has underachieved the past 2 years and it's time for a new voice. FATE: LET HIM GO
Kansas City: Trey Hillman - When the Royals hired Hillman, I thought it was a great hire. He was a young, new voice to a team that was young and talented. In his first year, he guided the team to a 75-87 record, more wins that anyone probably imagined. This year, things were only supposed to get better but besides Zach Grienke, the Royals have been a disappointment. I still think Hillman should stick around. If the Royals want to have consistency for once, they may want to start by keeping a manager around for longer than 3 years. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Milwaukee: Ken Macha - With Oakland, Macha did an admirable job, winning the AL West in 2003 and 2006, the same year he was fired. This year in Milwaukee, he has the team right around .500, where they probably deserve to be. The pitching staff just isn't strong enough right now to compete. The bats are definitely there so with some good offseason moves, this team could be a contender. I think Macha is a great guy to lead them too. He has a cool demeanor and the players seem to respect him. He only signed a two-year contract though in 2008, so he's coming up on his final year. FATE: LET HIM STAY (AND EXTEND ONE YEAR)
New York Mets: Jerry Manuel - It's been a terrible year for the Mets. Injuries kept piling up, the pitching staff never really panned out and the new stadium became one of the hardest places to hit a homer. But it's hard to blame nay of this on Manuel. He was dealt a bad hand and unlike last year when he somehow guided the Mets back into contention, he couldn't do the same this year. Manuel was a good manager with the White Sox before he was fired in 2003. Let's hope the Mets don't make a mistake and get rid of him. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Oakland: Bob Geren - If you want the definition of mediocrity, look at Bob Geren's managerial career. In 3 years with the A's, he is 226-254. He has yet to reach 80 wins, something Macha did in all 4 years before him. This year, his team was destined for a terrible finish before a good rally in September. They haven't lost one series in the month and even swept Texas. Sometimes, a good performance in September from a team not in the playoffs is a sign of what can be next season. If so, then Geren should have this team in contention early and all season. FATE: LET HIM STAY (BUT SHORT LEASH)
Pittsburgh: John Russell - If you're thinking about one of the worst jobs in sports, this has to be one of them. It seems that no matter who Pittsburgh has on their team, they are destined to be one of the worst in baseball. I'm not sure any manager can turn this team around. Russell is going to do worse this year than in 2008 by just a few games but it's tough to blame him. The team had such a crazy turnover in the middle of the season. They traded away 8-9 players but unlike contenders, they were trading away starters. I think it'd be wrong to punish Russell for that. FATE: LET HIM STAY
San Diego: Bud Black - If you would have asked me if Black should come back at the All-Star Game, Iw ould have said 100% no. But he seems to have this team back to being somewhat respectable. They've gone 35-24 since July 24th when their record was a paltry 38-61. You have some credit to Black for that, for keeping this team motivate though their chances at making at the playoffs were gone in June. I still think he is on somewhat thin ice but he should get a chance to come back and give it another go in 2010. FATE: LET HIM STAY (BUT PROVE SOMETHING)
San Francisco: Bruce Bochy - If you know anything about the Giants farm system, you'll know they are loaded with talent, both batting and pitching. So it makes sense that they were a contender for so long this season. But give some credit to Bochy for managing that talent. He put pressure on the likes of Pablo Sandoval and Johnathan Sanchez to step up and they did. Whatever he and his staff did for Barry Zito has worked as he looked like a new pitcher this season. Next year, the team should be the favorite to win the NL West. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Seattle: Don Wakamatsu - In his first year, Wakamatsu did a great job. He guided the Mariners to a winning record, even though on first look at their roster, that looks impossible. He's gotten a lot out of a lineup and pitching staff that isn't really that strong. And while the second half has been a struggle with the loss of Jarrod Washburn, the team has stayed above .500 and proven to the AL that they are no longer a pushover. With a couple more pieces, they should be able to challenge for the wild card next year. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Tampa Bay: Joe Maddon - There's real no need to talk long here. Obviously, he's coming back. What he has done for that team has given him job security for at least 4-5 more years. It goes beyond the World Series trip. It's the fact that he just has this team even in the discussion of winning the AL East against the likes of Boston and New York. It's the fact that you see Tampa Bay on ESPN and FOX twice a month. It's the fact that they are now longer the butt of jokes when it comes to sports. Maddon will be with this team for a while. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Texas: Ron Washington - Before this season, there was some grumbling about Ron Washington's job and how his players didn't get along with him. Sure doesn't look like that was a problem this season. The Rangers had one of the best seasons in a long time, challenging for the wild-card spot until last night's loss. The Rangers have gotten better every year under Washington but they took a huge step forward this season. The pitching actually made an impact while the bats were there all season as usual. The AL has been put on notice that this team will be a force in 2010. They are young and extremely talented. But now, you can also add well-managed to that list. FATE: LET HIM STAY (AND GIVE AN EXTENSION)
Toronto: Cito Gaston - Not sure what the Blue Jays thought would happen if they brought Cito Gaston back. Did they immediately think they would return to the glory days of the early 1990's when they won two World Series titles? While I do commend Gaston for the 51-37 campaign in 2008, the sub-.500 record he has posted in 2009 isn't worth commending. This team was probably better than that. He'll be back in 2010 for sure but I think the Blue Jays should be scouting their next manager soon. FATE: LET HIM STAY
Washington: Jim Riggleman - Riggleman was given the reins to an already awful team and since he's taken over, they've been just that: awful. It's hard to blame him, as his team is by far one of the worst teams on paper too. But with talent in the minors and a few big bats in the lineup, there's a chance this team could make some noise in 2010. Here's the thing about Riggleman though. He's never been a winner. In 9 years, he's had just one winning season and that was in a strike-shortened 1994 season (73-71). The best thing going for him is that he is an Ed Hochuli look-alike. They need a veteran manager in here to get this team turned around, a la Phil Garner, Jack McKeon, or Mike Hargrove. FATE: LET HIM GO
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