soxfaninfl

Honestly, they need to fire now. You cannot allow this to continue to fester. The damage will only become greater AND a message needs to be sent.

No, he is not the real problem but he is a symptom of a FO that has no idea how to conduct and run a successful team. The team is run like a fantasy league team with no real thought on the composition of all the parts. This team has completely lost the swagger and confidence it possessed in 2020 and for most of 2021. Was it the TLR hire? Injuries? Whatever the cause, this team does not expect to win. I am not a bit surprised the most successful position players so far this year are players competing for a slot on the team (Burger, Sheets). The motivation for them is there but for the rest?? This just wasn't a team for a rookie manager with a new team. Sure, Pedro has made his mistakes and could still become a decent manager but again this year, this team looks more prepared to lose than win. You can literally see it in their faces when they are down 0-2 or make an error or walk the leadoff batter... and, yes, I do think the manager has some role in that environment.

I could be convinced on Helton and Rolen and I really want to see Buehrke get some love from the writers but, all in all, a pretty weak list, especially since known roid users will be blocked. You are right, though. The committees are where it gets interesting and will be for a while.

Solid hire and at least like what I am reading but why do I feel we are in for a bumpy off-season?

Honest question: what kind of track record does hitting coaches have as managers?

I understand and I get it. I just don’t like the optics and there is so much more to be concerned about with this team.

I am talking about a plan for the team, not a managerial search. Find the manager that fits the plan for the team. I just see darts thrown at the wall. You just don't invoke the name of Ozzie. They handled this much better in 2017 and 2020. Took him out of the running from the beginning. I have been wondering why this hasn't been the case to even this late of a date. Ozzie just enflames passions on both sides of the debate and, obviously, hijacks the process. I have said here I am fine with Ozzie and I am despite all the apparent baggage. To me, it would show the team is still interested in contending next year and maybe, just maybe, Jerry opens the wallet and gives us a chance to realistically trade or sign for a piece we need, i.e. Nimmo. At least it's a direction. Grifol, Washington, Mendoza, et al?? I will be fine with any of them as long as there is a plan other than anybody but Guillen. The Sox are an incomplete, mess of a team and we have all witnessed a disastrous 2022 as fans. I was hoping for some transparency in this search but that also just wishful thinking.

Explain the dance with the devil last week. How do you go to a guy like Mendoza and honestly say, "Don't worry. Ozzie is not looking over your shoulder. Just don't screw up." We have seen this with players... no real plan until the last possible minute and then options are limited. Again, I have no real beef with Mendoza per se. Whoever they hire, I want them to succeed. The route they are taking makes that an increasingly remote possibility.

This is officially a disaster now. I have nothing against Mendoza. Seems like a viable candidate and would always hope him the best if he gets the job. Just hard to understand why he comes out at the 11th hour when, as far as I know, was not on anybody's radar. Just another example of how the Sox do not have a plan for anything and they just dither.

Ron Washington is still out there, I guess?

Hate to nitpick because he did move on and I get the sentiment but it was after game 160, not exactly middle of the season.

I just don’t see forced. Ozzie made a judgment call based on what he knew at the time, a lot like the judgment call many here are making about Abreu. That’s why I said , ‘love this’. It’s just the hypocritical thinking that drives me nuts on this board like when someone praises Cleveland and then in the next breath talks about ‘modern analytical baseball…’ or bashes small ball. Just many ways to win in this game but you need a plan or strategy.

Love this. Thome was 38 in a free agent year and he was traded to a contender. I don't remember anyone forcing anyone. It was what it was for a 79-83 team and the Sox did have a decent season in 2010. The one thing I will admit. 2011 was a disaster, not that much better than 2022. But speed on the base paths will be a thing next year with the rule changes.

Yeah... I just don't understand why anyone would trust Hahn to make this decision. There has just never been a real plan to contend and a manager is not going to change that. All I want from a manager is to get this team to play harder and smarter. Maybe we catch lightning in a bottle - injuries are at a minimum and Robert and Eloy become the middle of the order we all envisioned a few scant years ago. Can Ozzie do that? Maybe. Can any of the other names do that? Again, maybe. Just way to much emphasis on the manager selection when the flaws are all still here. I just want a team I can enjoy to go and watch. That was not the case in 2022.

Ozzie's teams never seemed to have trouble hitting HRs. Ozzieball was a myth derived from basically trading Carlos Lee for Pods. That part actually worked out.

This is a flawed, unproven team. How can you not go into this offseason without such a realization? The rebuild was never completed. Hell, it never really began. It's a rebuild built on three trades and a couple of international signings. The farm system is disaster. Player development is non-existent and while Tony had his problems, none of this was his fault. Been this way throughout this FO regime. Add in some timely injuries, and voila, you have a team relying on Sheets, Harrison, and Garcia. I just don't get this board sometimes. Seems everyone is looking for the messiah to manage this team. Every thing is a diversion. The way they have handled the manager search has been a diversion, to distract you from a decade-long performance of futility. Hahn and Kenny would not have their jobs on a different team and to that fact, they owe Jerry. Perhaps Jerry is the problem, not going to argue that but he owns the team and I do think he knows the Sox are in a constant battle for relevancy both nationally and in the Chicago market. He just wants to win his way and it's his money. However, expecting Hahn or Kenny to be the savior from the evil Oz is a little short-sighted because a lot of Ozzie backers and even detractors really feel the bigger problem has always been the FO.

Because he will now be known as the artist formerly known as Ozzie Guillen. He will sign everything ‘13’ going forward.

I was just going to post that if you don’t want Ozzie, better pray for no major announcements from the Sox today.

Why can’t anyone see that Bochy was their guy? Hahn practically described him to a tee in his search comments and the day Bochy was announced as the Rangers manager, we get competing stories on the Sox manager. We are onto plan B now.

I see him getting an interview as a coach, not manager.

Exactly. So I would like a manager to deal with those flaws primarily. The core talent is here. Just needs to be used correctly.

Seems to me Espada said 'no' and someone jumped the gun reporting his selection. Has happened before. Honestly, I was skeptical at first about his selection because Miami seemed to be a more desired destination for him (he has a house in south Florida with his family) or he was happy where he was currently, knowing Dusty won't be around forever. However, I was fine with Espada, even excited. I am also fine with Ozzie if it comes to that. What's the difference between 2020 and 2022? Last season. A fanbase turning on the team, uninspired play, and no real direction from the front office plagued last season. No matter who the manager will be, he is on the hot seat immediately. This job is not an easy one. Maybe someone like Espada would get a honeymoon of sorts but that wouldn't last long. Plus, if the thought is the team mirrored Tony's vibe this past season, man, I hope that is true with Ozzie. At least it won't be boring. Let him interview. If KW and Ozzie are willing to bury the hatchet from 10 years ago, I don't see a problem. This team needs focus and energy (and better health). If that doesn't happen, it doesn't matter who is manager.

Doesn’t have to be. Miami is very untapped baseball market and this team here has burned a lot of bridges themselves with multiple new owners and championships and then tear downs. Also, a Spanish-speaking manager would probably do quite well here if he stays out of politics. Now, I will disagree with it’s an infinitely better place to live. It is not. Trust me. I can’t wait end this assignment and get back to the Midwest.

Miami is not exactly a small market. It’s pretty big down here… and growing.

I am in Florida but my daughters are still in Chicago. They use them and I do make it up for most of the summer.