In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe looks at nine managers and GMs to watch. The Braves search for a new GM features prominently on the list. While Royals owner David Glass won’t prevent GM Dayton Moore from pursuing the opening in Atlanta, the matter of compensation could still complicate a move. When the Red Sox traded Theo Epstein to the Cubs, they only acquired an unaccomplished reliever in Chris Carpenter. The Royals would want more in return for Moore.
- If Atlanta’s interim GM John Hart decides to pass on the permanent position, he’ll be heavily involved in picking his successor. Hart helped groom several future GMs like Ben Cherington, Neal Huntington, and Mark Shapiro. Assistant GM John Coppolella could be next on the list.
- It’s surprising Giants bench coach Ron Wotus isn’t connected to more managerial searches. Wotus is Bruce Bochy’s right-hand man and a former PCL manager of the year. My personal observation: the trend of hiring recently retired players has hurt the visibility of Wotus.
- A poll of 12 GMs found in favor of paying Phil Hughes the $500,000 bonus for reaching 210 innings. He fell one-third of an inning short due to a rain delay. He also had another start affected by rain earlier in September. Eight GMs were in favor of paying Hughes with four opposed. Those against the idea cited contractual reasons. As we learned earlier this week, the CBA prevents the Twins from simply paying the bonus to Hughes without restructuring his contract.
Phil Hughes is one of the best stories in baseball this year! 16 wins for a last place team!? Nice job, phil!
Even better is that his strike out to walk ratio set a record!
I find it a bit hard to believe that Dayton Moore could be more valuable than Theo Epstein. It’s possible, but I really wonder if other teams would look at it that way?
GM switches shouldn’t involve player compensation as they are part of the front office. They should be limited strictly to people who wear uniforms. If Atlanta wanted one of KC’s janitors, would a player need to be involved?
If KC’s janitor was under contract and the Royals were willing to let him out of it for a certain price, then I guess yes.
Is Dayton Moore worth a really good Janitor? It’s a hypothetical but I think I might hang onto the Janitor given the salaries and all.
Brad, you linked the wrong Chris Carpenter.
Phil was given the chance to come in relief and earn his half million but he turned it down.
Which was NOT a classy move, it was just short sighted. The milestones were just representative to insure he was compensated if he stayed healthy. This end was a freak occurrence and he clearly earned the milestone. He’ a great pitcher, but there is no logic to him not coming out.
I think their is some logic there. He would have been chastised by many if he came out of the bullpen for a “500 thousand dollar out.” Some people will get on him for not taking the opportunity but it really is in a lot of ways a PR nightmare regardless of his decision. It would have been cool if the Twins and he could have figured out how to do an out for charity where Hughes could have earned 250 thousand and donated the other half to a charity. Everyone would have saved face. The Players Association would have been all over that one though…….as they would have to be due to the precedent it would set. Welcome to the real world where things are complicated.