Joe Torre is an example of the former. Famously dubbed “Clueless Joe” by the New York Post when hired by the Yankees prior to the 1996 season, he had failed three times as a manager, even once in New York with the Mets. His career record over parts of 14 seasons with the Mets, Braves and Cardinals was an decidely unspectacular 894-1003. Naturally, Torre went on to manage the Yankees to 11 straight playoff appearances, six American League pennants and four World Series victories. -
capitalnewyork
Jeff Wilpon stepped out of a meeting room Thursday at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando shortly after he and his front office team had interviewed Terry Collins and completed the Mets' managerial search. Wilpon noticed about 10 reporters waiting in the hallway while he debriefed Sandy Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi, John Ricco and Paul DePodesta and grinned. "Wait for the plume of smoke," the owner said.- NY Daily News
Pirates designated LHP Zach Duke for assignment. Pirates GM Neal Huntington said the team tried to negotiate a deal with Duke and also talked to other teams about a trade, but neither proved successful. Duke had a decent 2009 season but otherwise has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball since his impressive rookie year. The southpaw posted a 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 2010 and has a career K/9 rate of 4.7. He'll probably have to settle for a minor league deal with a spring training invite somewhere. - rotoworld
Josh Satin:
Josh Satin went from the twice-a-week taxi squad playing first base to his natural second base full time after Valdespin's injury. The Cal-Berkeley product ultimately hit .390 with one homer and six RBIs in 41 at-bats. espn
Reese Havens:
Opening Day Age: 24 - Estimated Peak WAR: 3.5 - Notes: Havens would probably be a little higher on the list if he had shown the ability to stay healthy and also had a true defensive home. The infielder has never had more than 360 at-bats in a season and has just 570 at-bats over his three-year pro career. We don’t have a ton of data to draw conclusions from but Havens has shown good patience with a career walk rate of more than 11%. He’ll need to make better contact after posting high strikeout rates. He has flashed promising power – a .175 ISO rate in 360 high-A at-bats in ’09. Havens hits with a wide, well-balanced stance, and has a quick bat. He does have a tendency to rock back and forth, which can throw off his timing. Havens holds his hands quite low in his stance and moving them up a bit might help him maintain a more level swing. Defensively, Havens has played both shortstop and second base in his pro career but profiles better at the keystone. There was talk at one point of moving him behind home plate, but that move now would slow his development down too much, as his bat is ready for double-A. Havens may never be more than an average fielder, thanks to stiff actions, but his bat has the chance to be above average. He could reach the Majors by the end of 2011 if he can stay healthy. - fangraphs
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