By Other, September 16, 2020
The Mets were one of 10 teams to replace their manager this past offseason. Let’s check in and see how those clubs are doing. The first number will be the team’s winning percentage in 2019 and the second number will be the 2020 winning percentage:
Angels – Joe Maddon: .444, .408
Astros – Dusty Baker: .660, .500
Cubs – David Ross: .519, .592
Giants – Gabe Kapler: .475, .489
Mets – Luis Rojas: .531, .438
Padres – Jayce Tingler: .432, .640
Phillies – Joe Girardi: .500, .511
Pirates – Derek Shelton: .426, .298
Red Sox – Ron Roenicke: .519, .367
Royals – Mike Matheny: .364, .408
Astros – Dusty Baker: .660, .500
Cubs – David Ross: .519, .592
Giants – Gabe Kapler: .475, .489
Mets – Luis Rojas: .531, .438
Padres – Jayce Tingler: .432, .640
Phillies – Joe Girardi: .500, .511
Pirates – Derek Shelton: .426, .298
Red Sox – Ron Roenicke: .519, .367
Royals – Mike Matheny: .364, .408
Five teams have improved with their new manager while five teams have taken a step backwards. It’s at least interesting that the three teams that changed managers due to the great 2017 Astros cheating scandal — Astros, Mets, Red Sox — have all seen their records fall this year. While the Astros didn’t have much of a shot to improve from last year’s 107-win team, both the Mets and Red Sox had similar records with a win total in the mid-80s. Both teams lost key members of their 2019 club – the Red Sox traded Mookie Betts while the Mets let Zack Wheeler leave as a free agent. And both teams were hit with Covid defections and injuries to their pitching staff.
With the exception of Maddon, the Mets likely could have had any manager on this list. Shoot, they interviewed both Girardi and Shelton. Would it have made any difference? That all depends on how much autonomy you think the Mets manager has here in 2020.
Rojas started hitting Robinson Cano lower in the order. He made aggressive substitutions to put a better defensive team in the game in late innings. And he removed Edwin Diaz from the closer’s role early in the season. At least we think Rojas did these things – that might be giving him too much credit.
If the Mets had hired one of the guys with 1,000+ games managed in the majors — Baker, Girardi, Maddon or Matheny — do you think we’d have more than three things on the list of positives? If the Mets hired Girardi and the Phillies hired a guy with no MLB managerial experience – do you think the Mets’ record against the Phillies would be 2-6?
It will be a great day when the Mets hire someone as a manager based on what they can do to win games in the dugout, rather than their ability to carry water for the GM or their ability to talk to the press.
A confluence of factors impacted Luis. Imagine if he had Alonso, Ramos, and Rosario playing like 2019; and if Thor and Stroman were healthy and starting every 5th day. He'd look good then, I would submit. Trying to opine as to who else would have truly been better in that group of managers is above my pay grade.
ReplyDeleteOne could say he deserves accolades for the resurgence of Cano and blossoming of Smith and Wesson (err, I mean Conforto).
90% of this mess is the players' fault.
Very true Tom. I think David Ross in Chicago deserves a lot of credit for fixing that pitching staff.
ReplyDeleteThe Giants have a better winning % under Gabe Kapler than last year - but who the heck would want him here over Luis?
There are several upgraded 2020 MLB rotations.
ReplyDeleteTB, WSox, LAD, and Minny Twins.
If you look at it objectively, really all the top teams in the standings (every season) tend to be exceedingly sound in starting pitching.
NYY does not have the rotation this season even with Cole and Garcia added in because Tanaka and Happ are so-so so far.
For 2020 NYM rotation: deGrom, Noah S. (when whole), new lefty starter, Lugo, and one more between Szapucki/Peterson. Josh Wolf and Matt Allan are probably considerations more for 2022 and 23.