October 24, 2014
Maddon opts out...
Joe Maddon has unexpectedly exercised an opt-out clause with Tampa Bay and cancelled the remainder of his contract. One would have to imagine this comes as a direct result of Rays General Manager Andrew Friedman leaving for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as any intention to leave earlier would have resulted in Maddon being *the* top candidate for the several open Manager positions around baseball. The Rangers, Astros and Diamondbacks have already made manager selections; only the Minnesota Twins currently have an open position. There are, however, several managers on the hot seat after multiple playoff failures or disappointing seasons, which could open up the field a bit. While I doubt there will be any sudden, surprise moves (Mattingly would really be the only 'surprise' if he were fired, as the owners have already stated he'll be manager next year), it wouldn't shock me if a couple of guys thought to have safe jobs (Ausmus, Matheny or Williams) start getting "no-commented".
Interestingly, this also opens up a strong possibility for Rangers' bench coach and #2 manager choice Tim Bogar, who worked under Maddon for the Rays and has been considered a strong manager candidate for a couple of years.
Interestingly, this also opens up a strong possibility for Rangers' bench coach and #2 manager choice Tim Bogar, who worked under Maddon for the Rays and has been considered a strong manager candidate for a couple of years.
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October 23, 2014
Magadan stays in Texas...
Banister and Magadan have decided they can work together. Incidentally, Jeff Wilson with the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram mentioned in yesterday's piece on the coaching staff that Bogar had informed Daniels and Banister that he wished to return to the Bench Coach role, but apparently the move was nixed by Banister after talking the job over with Bogar. It's not clear, however, if that choice was based on philosophical differences or simply the fact that it could be an uncomfortable situation.
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October 20, 2014
Bogar out...
The Texas Rangers have announced that Tim Bogar won't be returning to the club, at least in a coaching capacity, in 2015.
Jon Daniels left open the possibility that Bogar could work for the Rangers, just not on Jeff Banister's staff said that the club has made an offer to Bogar to remain with the team in a different capacity, and await his decision. Considering Bogar has been a well-thought-of and often considered coaching prospect for several years, it seems likely that someone will add him to their staff as a big league coach or coordinator.
Jon Daniels left open the possibility that Bogar could work for the Rangers, just not on Jeff Banister's staff said that the club has made an offer to Bogar to remain with the team in a different capacity, and await his decision. Considering Bogar has been a well-thought-of and often considered coaching prospect for several years, it seems likely that someone will add him to their staff as a big league coach or coordinator.
This isn't necessarily unexpected, as expecting Bogar to work for the guy he was competing with for a job isn't fair to either Bogar or Banister. The only possibility that would work would be if both Banister and Bogar were 100% comfortable with the idea *and* compatible in their thinking. However, there are also examples of such a situation working out; when Mike Scioscia was hired to manage the Angels, his main competition was bench coach and interim manager Joe Maddon. After Scioscia was selected, Maddon remained with the team as bench coach for several years before being hired to manage Tampa Bay.
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No chili for Texas...
I was kind of excited about bringing Chili Davis to Texas as hitting coach, but apparently Boston grabbed him quickly when it became known he was open to leaving Oakland. It's not clear if Texas ever even talked to him, although I would guess that they wouldn't have sought Oakland's permission and then not followed up.
The questions are:
The questions are:
Was Texas seriously interested in Davis, or was their "interest" a negotiating tactic for their apparently-ongoing discussions with Dave Magadan? While Rangers fans might be understandably less-than-impressed with Magadan following two years of lackluster offense, Magadan hasn't absorbed any of the blame. Unfortunately, if Texas is seriously trying to hold on to Magadan, it doesn't look like it's working; according to nj.com Magadan is New York bound if they want him.
Rangers fans are also left to wonder if Texas made a serious run for Davis but was outbid by Boston, or if the eventual choice of Jeff Banister for manager changed their plans.
Whatever the situation was, it now looks like Texas will be looking for a new hitting coach any day now.
UPDATE: And right after I posted all this, the same news appeared on LoneStarBall.com, as well as twitter news that Magadan has also talked to Billy Beane in Oakland. So it looks like Magadan is gone, no matter what.
UPDATE 2: The New York Yankees have informed Dave Magadan he is not their choice for hitting coach. Magadan also previously clarified that the Mets' interest was apparently mostly casual, as he has not actually interviewed for that job. However, with the news that Magadan has discussed Oakland's opening with GM Beane, Athletics' bloggers and beat writers are reporting that Magadan is likely the front-runner for that job.
UPDATE: And right after I posted all this, the same news appeared on LoneStarBall.com, as well as twitter news that Magadan has also talked to Billy Beane in Oakland. So it looks like Magadan is gone, no matter what.
UPDATE 2: The New York Yankees have informed Dave Magadan he is not their choice for hitting coach. Magadan also previously clarified that the Mets' interest was apparently mostly casual, as he has not actually interviewed for that job. However, with the news that Magadan has discussed Oakland's opening with GM Beane, Athletics' bloggers and beat writers are reporting that Magadan is likely the front-runner for that job.
UPDATE 3: ESPN Dallas, for what it's worth, is reporting that Magadan will meet Thursday with GM Jon Daniels and Manager Jeff Banister in Surprise, AZ (where the Rangers training facilities are, and where the Arizona Fall League is currently taking place for developing players). This, obviously, runs at least somewhat counter to the idea that Magadan will likely be elsewhere when the season starts. Of course, another thing to consider is that Magadan is technically under contract through 2015; if he or Banister is going to be unhappy with Magadan as hitting coach next year, it would require nulling the contract, trading Magadan, or moving him to a different position.
Magadan has been one of the most sought after hitting coaches in baseball for several years, and reportedly left Boston for Texas largely because the Rangers gave him an awful lot of money for his services.
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October 16, 2014
The Era of The Banister has begun...
Jeff Banister, Texas Rangers manager: Rangers to hire Banister, per Ken Rosenthal
No word on whether the Rangers will release Tim Bogar from his Bench Coach contract, or if they're talking to him about staying on under Banister. Banister is, for all intents and purposes, apparently "Bogar, only more so". It's also worth noting that Texas has granted permission for the coaching staff to interview elsewhere. Mike Maddux and 3rd Base/Outfield coach Gary Pettis have both expressed their intentions to stay with the Rangers, but it looks like Dave Magadan may be headed to New York. Texas may not necessarily be sad to see him go, and have obtained permission from the Athletics to talk to Chili Davis.
Oh, and the Kansas City Royals have won the 2014 American League pennant with 8 straight playoff wins. Ned Yost has become, already, one of the most successful post-season managers ever.
Ned Yost.
Ned Yost.
UPDATE: Gary Pettis accepts a coaching position in Houston. I really need to stop listening to Gary Pettis. He's also the guy who said Washington was leaving the team for medical reasons.
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