Ok, let's have a little fun here. In response to the Red Sox effectively firing John Farrell, lets run the Apprentice gauntlet on potential successors, and find out if they are "Hired" or "Fired".
Red Sox legend. Former Captain. Very popular with the fans, currently Special Assistant to Dave Dombrowski, he would be a popular choice to take over the reigns of this team.
Pros - Popular former Catcher, Captained the '04 Red Sox to end the curse of the Bambino, and will be forever enshrined in the fans' memory for this. Also, a no nonsense character, will be able to inspire his young team with his past, as well as his personality, to potentially help them progress to the next level.
Cons - Glaring one. No experience. Plus, he is so well loved in Beantown, why risk all that by taking on the most high profile managerial role in the city of Boston? Any little mistake will be scrutinized, and with a potential for a future Front Office role, I feel he will be more likely to go down this route, rather than the Field Manager route.
Verdict? - FIRED
Former Red Sox Infielder. Current Bench Coach for the Houston Astros. Well liked and respected within the League.
Pros - Well liked and respected within the League, and currently gaining much experience under A.J. Hinch as the Astros march to the ALCS at the expense of the Red Sox. Seems a good coach.
Cons - While he has experience, and is currently working as the effective second in command for arguably the AL's best overall team right now, you can't help but think he is still very inexperienced. For instance, would it feel like a good decision if a one year Offensive or Defensive co-ordinator took the job at, say, the Steelers? I'd like to see more good work from Cora, maybe see him take a lower pressure Managerial role before taking on the Red Sox.
Verdict - FIRED
Jason Varitek
Red Sox legend. Former Captain. Very popular with the fans, currently Special Assistant to Dave Dombrowski, he would be a popular choice to take over the reigns of this team.
Pros - Popular former Catcher, Captained the '04 Red Sox to end the curse of the Bambino, and will be forever enshrined in the fans' memory for this. Also, a no nonsense character, will be able to inspire his young team with his past, as well as his personality, to potentially help them progress to the next level.
Cons - Glaring one. No experience. Plus, he is so well loved in Beantown, why risk all that by taking on the most high profile managerial role in the city of Boston? Any little mistake will be scrutinized, and with a potential for a future Front Office role, I feel he will be more likely to go down this route, rather than the Field Manager route.
Verdict? - FIRED
Alex Cora
Former Red Sox Infielder. Current Bench Coach for the Houston Astros. Well liked and respected within the League.
Pros - Well liked and respected within the League, and currently gaining much experience under A.J. Hinch as the Astros march to the ALCS at the expense of the Red Sox. Seems a good coach.
Cons - While he has experience, and is currently working as the effective second in command for arguably the AL's best overall team right now, you can't help but think he is still very inexperienced. For instance, would it feel like a good decision if a one year Offensive or Defensive co-ordinator took the job at, say, the Steelers? I'd like to see more good work from Cora, maybe see him take a lower pressure Managerial role before taking on the Red Sox.
Verdict - FIRED
Gary DiSarcina
Current Red Sox Bench coach. Well respected in the League and has interviewed for Manager jobs before, even if unsuccessful each time.
Pros - Known to the Red Sox players, and organization. Could bring an air of stability at a difficult time, as most of the younger players have not seen another manager, and this could be a positive for DiSarcina to take control of the team and ensure continuity. He has managed at Single A and Triple A level in the Red Sox system, 2013 Minor League Manager of the Year, and knows many of the current stars. Also worked in the front office for the Red Sox, and as an Analyst for NESN. He knows the Red Sox through and through.
Cons - Would be perhaps a reminder, too close of a reminder should I say, to John Farrell. The Red Sox will probably need a fresh outlook.
Verdict - A close one, but FIRED.
Brad Ausmus
Recently fired after four seasons in charge of the Tigers. Knows Dave Dombrowski very well.
Pros - Raised in Connecticut, as a Red Sox fan. Would presumably love to take control of his boyhood team. Another well respected guy in the League, he knows Dombrowski very well, from their time in Detroit, and he is the man who hired Ausmus in 2013. Although recently fired, still an in-demand name in the league, and would bring experience, and fresh ideas, to the Red Sox after growing stale in Detroit.
Cons - Fired from Detroit, after a dismal 64-98 record. This was their third consecutive season outside of the Playoffs, which for a team which held stars such as Justin Verlander (until his trade), Miguel Cabrera, and the money spent by the Tigers, was not good enough.
Verdict - Although fired by the Tigers, he is still a relatively young Manager, and how many times have we seen guys fired by teams, to bounce back and become legends in their next post. Close call but I say....... HIRED!
Other potential candidates -
Ron Gardenhire - 6 division titles in 13 seasons. Would be an interesting choice, but perhaps the club will look closer to home, so to speak before looking at Gardenhire. Should any of the choices above fail, look to him as a possible guy to come in, just can't see it for now.
Dave Martinez - Current Cubs bench coach, works well with Joe Maddon, Unless Maddon comes with him, and Martinez is the Bench Coach, I can't see him leaving a potential dynasty so early in the evolution of such.
Sandy Alomar - See above. But if Cleveland slip up, maybe he will be pushed to a more prominent role in this process (perhaps replacing Cora) by the end of the Playoffs.
Torey Lovullo - Led Diamondbacks to the Playoffs, only to fall to the Dodgers. Former interim Manager, and Bench Coach for the Red Sox. Too recent a hire by Arizona, and just after leading them to the playoffs, would be a huge outsider to actually accept the job, even if a huge favorite of the Front Office to pursue. Probably the actual best option out there, realistically, but would be very shocked. One for the future, no doubt will be a Red Sox manager of the future.
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