According to reports the Mets have already interviewed
hitting coach Kevin Long for the managerial vacancy and have somehow carved out
time when Alex Cora should be concentrating on preparing to beat the Yankees to
make himself available to spend time with the Mets (and the Red Sox). At this juncture I’m less concerned with who
is going to be offered the job as I am about what type of candidate the team
should be targeting.
Bullpen Management
Granted, a manager is in a no-win situation when he leaves a
starter in too long or yanks him prematurely.
Second guessers will always know better.
Those types of single game decisions are not likely to make or break a team (though
they could cost a single game – sometimes even in the World Series). No, the bigger question is having faith in
your relievers to last more than a single batter and not having every single
pitcher warming up on game day. That
approach leads to exhaustion and arm strain, both of which can result in
pitchers altering whatever it is that got them to where they are.
Knowing How to Play Small Ball
Earl Weaver was famous for his quip about his best friend
being the three-run homer and that if you play for a single run then that’s all
you’ll get. While there’s some truth to
that sentiment, the fact remains that home runs are a low percentage play. A superstar might get 30-40 home runs per
season but what about the 200 times a single could be produced by a high-average
hitter? For the past several seasons the
Mets seemed enamored with the former and it might be time to try the
latter. Guys like T.J. Rivera never got
the accolades that perhaps they deserved because their hit tool – putting the
bat on the ball – was never held in high regard. While I don’t advocate paying nearly $8
million to keep a Nori Aoki around next year, but the fact is watching him get
on base with aplomb was a revelation.
Speed Kills (Except When it Doesn’t)
As low percentage plays go, the stolen base gambles one of
the three precious outs for the advancement of a single base. It requires both baserunning speed and the
smarts to know how to use it. For the
past several years the Mets have not utilized this option. The players they acquired with rare exception
(Jose Reyes being the notable one) simply were not the kind of guys who were
likely going to strike fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers and
catchers. Still, there are players on
the roster who seem to have the raw skill but never encouraged to use it to its
fullest extent (such as Juan Lagares).
Saving Runs Wins Games
A great many people would shake their heads in disbelief to
see players with inferior gloves and arms thrust into regular roles when their bats
were not sufficiently strong enough to overcome their limitations. As such, the Mets’ porous defense has been
mostly a hold-your-breath affair as evidenced by the collective sigh of relief
when someone like Amed Rosario finally was given daily opportunity to
play. A stronger orientation for defense
with solid offensive players at other positions could make quite a
difference.
Communication Skills
While I’m not going to rehash the whole Marc Carig article, the
fact remains there is room for improvement in how the next manager treats his
entire team, not just his favorites.
Strong communication will also let players know what they need to do to
succeed and be an integral part of the team.
Motivation
By the time a player reaches the majors it can be argued
that they don’t need a cheerleader as they should know what needs to be
done. However, there’s a reason why good
managers in business have constant feedback loops with employees, helping them
build on their strengths and to compensate for their weaknesses. It’s no different in professional
sports. You can’t ignore players who
aren’t performing well nor should you bench them when they’ve had a good
game. Warts and all, apparently Wally Backman was an example of someone who could wrest the most of his players.
Media Relations
Say what you will about his managerial skills, but Bobby
Valentine was never caught short for words when asked to face the media. In an age with even more ubiquitous coverage
from live Twitter feeds to blogs to traditional media, it’s important to have
someone who is a credit to your organization in this regard.
Synchronization with the Front Office
Many people bought into the narrative that for the past
seven years it was the guys in the front office calling the shots on things
like who to play. That’s since been
discredited. While no one respects a “Yes
Man”, it’s imperative that the manager and front office are on the same page
philosophically so that each then do what they are paid to do without surprises
on either side.
Experience
While experience is usually a desirable attribute, many long
term managers fall into familiar patterns or get complacent with what has
worked elsewhere in the past. As a
contrast, take a look at who is at the helm of the Houston Astros. A.J. Hinch had exactly 3 months of managerial
experience before behing handed the reins.
With his degree in psychology he’s made up for his lack of experience with
a fresh approach that his predecessors could not deliver. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had
zero major league experience. How’s he
doing?
I have to admit I’m pleasantly surprised to see the front
office actually considering guys like Alex Cora, Sandy Alomar, Jr. and Joe
McEwing in addition to the retreads who have not won anywhere before. Of course, no decisions are likely to be made
until all of the post-season teams are done (and they wait for the Joe Girardi
shoe to drop).
In the interim, what attributes do you feel are most
important in the next Mets manager?
11 comments:
All those attributes are very important - Reese, what grade would you give Collins on his tenure, taking into account all of these?
Bullpen Management -- F
Small Ball -- D
Speed -- D
Defense -- C (he wasn't handed a slew of Gold Glovers)
Communications Skills -- D
Motivation -- D (he most definitely played favorites to the detriment of others)
Media Relations -- C (he babbled but he was always available)
Synchronization with the Front Office -- C (it's a two-way street)
Experience -- A
So, if you assign a 4 to each A, a 3 to each B, a 2 to each C and a 1 to each D with a 0 for each F, then he averages out to a 1.55 -- a strong D+
Reese -
sorry - late to the game - had to take wife to Doc
Your outline is the kind of thing that most corporations need to do when they hire a CEO.
Now in the case of a field manager, I always considered him the Field CEO anyway.
My grading of Collins differs over the years. As he (and I) have aged, I see a disconnect with his players. I totally understand this. My oldest granddaughter is 23, her husband is 24, and as 'hip' as I think I still am, I am not to people like this.
I remember when I was a 27 year old manager in NYC at WKTU-FM. We had a CEO, a EVP, and two VPs that I thought were clueless because they were busy listening to Glenn Miller while we played Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green). They... averaged 5 years YOUNGER than I am now.
Baseball is a young man's game.
The Mets need to be managed by a young ex-player.
Period.
The Mets need to hire a manager that hasn't been involved with the Mets. Do you really expect Kevin Long to manage much difference than Collins?, I don't.
Mets need a manager who will have the gravitas to sit Cespedes next time he jogs after a ball. One who will put primadonna Harvey and primadonna in the making Syndergaard in their place when they start to think they are bigger than the team.
A manager who will give youngsters the opportunity to flourish. That cannot be done with a Terry Collins clone.
Alex Cora for me.
Reese - I would not be quite as harsh as D+, but not much better: C-
Mack, you are a hip cat, Daddio.
Viper, Alex Cora getting lot of very favorable comments. So Wilpons and Sandy will find another cheap retread instead?
@Tom -- When I was teaching at the university they always said when it came to grading I was tough but fair :)
Reese -
School Of Hard Knocks?
Believe it or not, I was paid to warp young minds at a fully accredited university -- one of the largest in the country. That speaks volumes about the state of higher education :)
Well scratch Ausmus & Ventura off the list
Reese, If they won't pay for Cora, why in the world would anyone think the Mets would pay for Giraldi if he became available?
Ventura and Ausmus don't want to be considered for a manager position on an organization whose GM micromanages every aspect of the team. Good for them. And smack to you Genius.
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