2013-14 MLB Hot Stove thread

Dusty has let the Nationals know he's interested.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2013/10/09/dusty-baker-interested-in-managing-the-nationals/

Small chance of that happening, I'd assume.

 

Of course he's interested. The more relevant question is why would the Nationals be interested in him?

 

I can't imagine they would be.

 

No way. At this point, I think it's Knorr or Ripken.

 

Girardi back with Yankees for four years.

 

Price came out and said he believes he'll get traded this off-season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rays-price-expects-offseason-trade-033226794--mlb.html

 

At least he's not the last to know.

 

Couple of good columns in the Post today about Cal to the Nats.

Boswell: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/washington-nationals-shouldnt-give-cal-ripken-jr-managers-job--unless-hell-fight-to-take-it/2013/10/09/5e21297a-3126-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html

Wise: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/can-cal-ripken-jr-make-it-as-a-manager-ask-another-hall-of-fame-player-whos-coaching-in-town/2013/10/09/4bf9bbba-3124-11e3-89ae-16e186e117d8_story.html

 

As I have mentioned before, Robin Ventura and Walt Weiss haven't exactly lit the world on fire as managers, but they haven't been absolute disasters despite no managerial experience. Washington old-timers will of course remember Ted Williams, who was so-so as manager of the Senators 2.0 and the original Texas Rangers.

I just question the wisdom of giving the keys to a legit World Series contender to a guy who's never made a pitching change. If Ripken really wants to be a big-league manager, he should pays his dues in the minors for a couple of years the way Ryne Sandberg did.

 

I wouldn't worry about the injuries in determining whether to sign him. They weren't age-related, just a couple of HBPs.

Cashman said he intends to make a solid offer to Granderson, but it doesn't sound like he's looking to overpay. They may make a lowball qualifying offer of $13 million for 2014 and if he says no, they get a draft pick out of it. Would he accept it for a chance to build his value for one more contract after the 2014 season?

 

And, as one of those columns mentioned, the "celebrity" of Ripken potentially (likely) overshadowing the actual team itself might not be ideal.

Given how the team is ready to win now, and how few changes need to be made, it just makes sense to let Knorr take over. Nice and smooth. Won't miss a beat.