Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik is on the lookout for a new manager and, like many teams, the Mariners are likely to conduct much of their search in the coming month. Here is the latest on the Mariners and other clubs around the league:
- Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confirmed to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that the Mariners asked permission to interview him for their managerial vacancy. The Toronto Sun first reported the Mariners' interest in Gibbons yesterday.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that Ted Simmons is high on Seattle's wish list. Simmons has just about everything the Mariners are looking for, including connections with Zduriencik. Interestingly enough, Simmons signed Elmer Dessens and Jose Guillen when he was the Pirates GM in the early 1990s.
- Joey Cora is another possibility for the Mariners, according to Heyman.
- Baker hears that Bobby Valentine is still in the mix for the Mariners job.
- Valentine, Jim Fregosi, Tony Pena and Bo Porter are candidates for the Marlins job according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney notes that Porter is a candidate to manage the Pirates (Twitter link).
I wanted the Pirates to hire Joey Cora before Russell was hired. I’d also really like for the Pirates to hire Simmons.
I still want the Mets to get Simmons, the Marlins to get Valentine, the Jays to get Thompson, the Pirates to get Samuel, the Brewers to get Melvin, and the Mariners to get Sandberg, and the Cubs to get Girardi.
What about the Yankees if Girardi leaves?
Pena, Torre, Gonzalez, Brenly, La Russa, and Wakamatsu are some names that come to mind.
Torre no thanks because he ruins your bullpen. Please god no La Russa. Wakamatsu no thanks, just plain no thanks. I like the other options though, especially Bob Brenly.
Span you hear about Doc? What a pitcher huh?
Trey Hillman will be interviewed for sure. He was minor league manager of the year 3x and is tight with Mark Newman and Brian Cashman.
I really want Freddi Gonzalez in Atlanta.
It’s going to happen, don’t worry. There’s nothing official, but he’s been seen in ATL with Wren and Bobby and it’s believed that a “gentleman’s agreement” has been reached already. Why else would Fredi turn down interview offers for other jobs?
I was using sarcasm with that.
How did I miss that? I mean, you made it so obvious.
I wonder who gibbons will challenge to a fight in seattle? I wonder if Ichiro can throw down
If Seattle does indeed hire Gibbons that would be a huge mistake. I am not a big believer that managers make a big difference, but I don’t know how many times I saw that man get out-managed when he was with Toronto. It has nothing to do with the talent he had, he was just bad. Believe me, as a resident of Toronto I saw a lot of the games, and he was horrible. And that’s without mentioning his combative nature with his OWN players.
Stay far away Seattle, stay faaaaaaaaaaar away.
Well, if Gibbons got the gig, my money would surely be on Milton Bradley.
Will Cora cry if he’s hired? That’s all I want to know.
Leave Joey alone!!
Ian: I agree on Simmons, as I think he is what the Pirates *NEED* (though not necessarily what management *wants*…someone that will think for himself and tell them to butt out).
I think that he is going to be a real asset for the team that signs him.
Why is nobody talking about Van Slyke for the Buccos ?
I’m all for Ted Simmons as Manager in Seattle! Gibbons should be towards the bottom of the wish list, but it is important to keep the options open.
I think the Pirates would be making a mistake if they picked Samuel or Porter as their manager. They need someone with experience to lead this young team and even though Samuel filled in for the Orioles before Showalter arrived in Baltimore, I think someone in the Fredi Gonzalez/John Farrell/Eric Wedge mold would be a more fitting hire.