Manager Futures

[ScooterBrave]

Especially now that Fredi was fired by the Marlins, lots of talk centers on him being the Braves manager next year after Bobby retires. I was hearing some rumors that Torre is done with the Dodgers after this season, what do you think of Torre coming back as manager of the Braves?

Certainly expensive, but at least in the short term wouldn't he be worth it?

[Dreamscape]

Especially now that Fredi was fired by the Marlins, lots of talk centers on him being the Braves manager next year after Bobby retires. I was hearing some rumors that Torre is done with the Dodgers after this season, what do you think of Torre coming back as manager of the Braves?

Certainly expensive, but at least in the short term wouldn't he be worth it?
I don't see what Torre has done for Los Angeles to think he would come to Atlanta and really provide a difference in the dugout. I also lost a lot of respect for him because he didn't protect A-Rod in a game in New York. Even if you don't like your player, you at least have to pretend to take up his argument to keep him in the game, even if it means you get booted.

[luvdembravos]

I always liked Torre but why pay so much for a manager who is clearly past his prime and will demand a big paycheck? I'd rather see the Braves give an up and coming manager a chance.

[ScooterBrave]

Okay, but if the current managing stint is the litmus stick, then why would we want Fredi Gonzalez?

[Dreamscape]

Okay, but if the current managing stint is the litmus stick, then why would we want Fredi Gonzalez?
I'm not so sure we do.

But then, I don't know enough about managers to exactly venture a name that could help out, but I would like someone from the Joe Maddon school of baseball thought process.

[BigWorm]

Because he did a GREAT job in Florida. He took a team with no payroll and stayed afloat, by that I mean around .500 That's success in my book.

He's also very familiar with the Braves way. The players are very comfortable with him. I'd be stoked if he was next in line.

[AhbBrave]

Because he did a GREAT job in Florida. He took a team with no payroll and stayed afloat, by that I mean around .500 That's success in my book.

He's also very familiar with the Braves way. The players are very comfortable with him. I'd be stoked if he was next in line.


exactly, he did extremely well with a team worth less than 40 mil. he could come into the braves clubhouse and instantly be accepted, liked, and respected.

he got fired because the gm of the marlins care more about that hot head Hanley.

[Hobbes]

Welcome to ChopNation AhbBrave.

[alaskabravesfan]

+1 for Fredi Gonzales. I think he's the most like Bobby Cox out of the potential candidates...and another low key players manager is fine with me.

[AhbBrave]

Welcome to ChopNation AhbBrave.
thanks :)

[Andy G.]

I'd be happy if they hired Freddi Gonzalez.

That said, I'm not assuming that the Braves will hire someone that has coached under Bobby Cox. It seems like a lot of people are doing that, but I would not be surprised if Frank Wren brought in somebody from outside of the organization.

It's a great job if you think about it. There should be plenty of people jumping at the opportunity to coach the Braves. Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Kris Medlen, Brian McCann, Yunel Escobar, Jason Heyward and Martin Prado are all young and all good players. We've got Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado, Arodys Vizcaino, Craig Kimbrel, Freddie Freeman and Jordan Schafer in the minors as well. Plus this team is not in a bad place financially, and you don't have to worry about extreme scrutiny from the media or the fans if you're coaching in Atlanta.

The worst part about the job is that you'd be following Bobby Cox, but anybody that's scared to fail with that group of young players and a ninety-ish million dollar payroll is probably not somebody that's going to have the personality to be offered a coaching job in the first place.

[Dreamscape]

According to Baseball Prospectus's ten guys who most deserve a shot at a big league managing gig, Dave Brundage could be in the mix. Brundage is serving as the Gwinnett manager, a position he has held for two years in Richmond and the last two years in Gwinnett. He won a International League title in his first year and also won a AA Texas League title in the Mariners organization in 2003. He has made it to the playoffs four other times in 12 seasons. According to the blurb at BP, Brundage might be Wren's choice.

Obviously, if that was the case, John Schuerholz and company could go in a different direction, especially for a guy like Freddi Gonzalez.

Others making the list are Joey Cora, John Farrell (BoSox pitching coach), Tom Foley (Rays 3B coach), Torey Lovullo (Pawtuckett manager), Pete Mackanin (Phillies bench coach), Don Mattingly, Jose Oquendo, Ron Roenicke (Angels bench coach), Lee Tinsley (Mariners 1B coach). Of those names, I would include Foley, Oquendo, and Roenicke on my list.

[Middle Man]

Speaking of Braves' coaches...

Here's a really cool story in this week's SI, for those who haven't already seen it. I'll link it here since there is a small connection to a certain Braves coach.

SI Article (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1171199/1/index.htm)