poppysox

I would expect any high-end manager to insist on having total discretion in his coaching staff.

Thankfully Hahn is not waiting to find out if he is next. I think what we are seeing is JR knows this is his last shot and loyalty be damned...he wants to go out on top. RR seems to be a great guy but his lineups could have been improved on by most people on this board. In sixty-plus years of watching this team...I don't believe there was ever a worse job of handling the pitching staff than that game 3 display.

That third playoff game left the FO with the same feeling it left most of us with. Anyone with anything to do with how the staff was handled for game 3 is out.

Yeah...I was actually trying to point out that experienced managers are not going to be saddled with existing coaches. Girardi was a poor example but given that the Phillies have a new GM...you never know. Since we now know that Coop is out...the point is moot.

I would love Jirschele as the manager with Zaleski as pitching coach.

For sure if Gerardi gets the job... he absolutely is picking his own staff. A young guy like Jirschele might have to swallow a Coop but the top tier guys will insist on picking their own people.

It is a rare game that Engel doesn't contribute something. Defense and speed play a big role in winning many games. We need both starting & relief pitching as much as we can find.

Colome won't come close. Sox will make a solid offer of maybe 12 or 13 per season for probably two years.

When a regular Joe leaves his employer...he is well-advised to leave gracefully with thanks for the opportunity and best wishes. He might need a reference or his old job back one day. Also, don't bring your kids to work...doesn't work out well.

You make some solid points. I prefer keeping both Grandall and McCann but as always...money talks.

Because JR is presumably working on his last few years as owner of the WS...none of us really knows what he will do with spending and staff decisions. Winning would certainly add to the club's value. Obviously, winning will be affected by the money spent and who is managing.

Cease, Lopez, and Dunning have not progressed as hoped for and Herrera did not perform at all. Injuries to Pitchers such as Rodon, Crochet, Ketuchel, Lambert, Hamilton, and Bummer are concerning. None of this perhaps is Cooper's fault but neither does it provide cover for his performance of late.

Yeah...Minnesota didn't have the pitching. My point exactly. Everyone would opt for an Allstar at every position obviously. If money is no object get whoever is the best available right fielder. However, I will gladly settle for Mazara/Engel if we get the starting and relief pitching nailed down.

We are on the outside looking in because of pitching, not Mazara. Obviously, we all want the best of everything. I am suggesting pitching is our primary need. When we have all the pitching we think we need...get some more. Since the available money is finite I prefer to spend it where the greatest need exists.

We need both a stud starter and a #4/5 type for depth. Bauer and Q would be my guesses.

I am totally off the Cooper train. Can't think of a single fix that can be attributed to Coop in the last ten years.

That wouldn't bother me if the price was right. He was hitting much better at the end of the season and his defense was better than advertised. Mazara deserves the same slack we give Moncada for preseason illness weakening his overall performance. I like Engel getting playing time as the right-hand part of a job share. What money JR is willing to part with should go to pitching...pitching and more pitching.

JR is a loyal son of a gun which I think is admirable. Our only hope is a promotion of some sort. RR and Coop have worn out their welcome with most Sox fans but JR needs a way of offering some kind of soft landing for those he considers loyal soldiers. I would love Jirschele as manager and Dotson as our pitching coach. That combination should appeal to both JR's sense of loyalty and thrift while satisfying my need for change at those two positions.

You can see that one coming. FA power bats have been an absolute nightmare.

Well...so much for positivity!

Time for Carlos to throw like we know he can.

Excellent idea!

I certainly hope not!

I'm sure that is correct. I really mean as of NOW.

Win or lose tomorrow...I hope we are done with the Edwin Encarnacion era. I don't care how many lifetime homers he has hit...a .157 batting average doesn't play for me.