[Manny's PS2]

I like it. Discuss. Or don't, see if I give a shite.

[BigSlick]

Applesauce is even more yummy if you sprinkle cinnamon on it.

With that said...

Tito Francona > Any other manager that was available. Maybe Valentine will prove me wrong and win the World Series 3 times in 8 years, but I doubt it.

[Manny's PS2]

While I agree that applesauce is yummy, I'm glad they hired a manager who is going to shake things up. I hope if he's confrontational that he's more direct than he has been in the past. Leaking crap to the media is going to make for some interesting fishwraps, but conversely, every rumor or snake bite that's printed will be attributed to Valentine.
I'm going to guess they win 95 games or more next year, and Valentine invigorates this team by having starters pitch more innings, being more flexible with his bullpen...I think this is a high risk, high reward signing that shows ownership still has nuts. If Cherington wanted Sveum and he was overruled by ownership, well, that's the way every business works. The guys at the top have the ultimate approval and if you don't agree with their decisions you either get in line or look for work or move to Vegas to be professional gambler.

This post has been edited by Manny's PS2: 30 November 2011 - 09:07 AM

[BigSlick]

Manny, on 30 November 2011 - 09:07 AM, said:

you either get in line or look for work or move to Vegas to be professional gambler.

I choose the 2nd option... I should be there by 1/10/12.

[Bozzs]

I think he is the polar opposite of tito which is very necessary...he will be interesting to have around but like Manny we will see how long that lasts...

[Manny's PS2]

Bozzs, on 30 November 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

I think he is the polar opposite of tito which is very necessary...he will be interesting to have around but like Manny we will see how long that lasts...

I don't understand, I've been here since the AROD saga and never waivered. But, whatever, jerkface.

[coloradojack]

I am less than inspired by the choice. All I remember is fake mustache and glasses. That said he is now our manager. Go get 'em Bobby.



(I feel dirty)

This post has been edited by coloradojack: 30 November 2011 - 05:19 PM

[Manny's PS2]

He's from Stamford Connecticut, I'd be surprised if he didn't grow up an MFY fan. I'd say that area of Ct. is almost all Skankees.

[Hail Cesar]

Red Sox released a statement today for Christmas at Fenway on December 10. Sox Pax and select single-game tickets will also go on sale on December 10. Coincidence? I think not.

I bet Bobby V pushes the Christmas at Fenway gig during the presser.

[Cudahy]

The most important day to day decision the manager makes is when to change pitchers. Have no idea if Valentine will be better or worse than Francona at that.
At least now Cherington will focus on the players.

[Manny's PS2]

Cudahy, on 30 November 2011 - 03:35 PM, said:

The most important day to day decision the manager makes is when to change pitchers. Have no idea if Valentine will be better or worse than Francona at that.
At least now Cherington will focus on the players.

I've read that his tendencies are to let starters pitch a bit more than Tito has, but it's hard to pinpoint that because they were comparing his staff in Texas (worthless to compare to the NL MUTS, but the staff in Texas was all veterans...who he gave a lot of innings to...

This post has been edited by Manny's PS2: 30 November 2011 - 03:55 PM

[SoxAroundTheWorld]

Guess it depends on which starters are getting those additional innings. Lester/Beckett/Buchholz could get more. Lackey/Wake/??? not so much.

[BigSlick]

SoxAroundTheWorld, on 30 November 2011 - 09:03 PM, said:

Guess it depends on which starters are getting those additional innings. Lester/Beckett/Buchholz could get more. Lackey/Wake/??? not so much.

Don't worry, Lackey probably won't recover from his Tommy John surgery in time to pitch at all in 2012 and I doubt Wake will be on the roster.

This post has been edited by BigSlick: 30 November 2011 - 10:10 PM

[Kid T]

I think Valentine is a strong and brilliant tactical manager. He used to be an egomaniac when he was a manager in NY, but given his time away from the game, he may have softened a bit. He also had a propensity for throwing his players (and GM) under the bus. Again, the jury is out to see if he's learned anything from his "experience" (and the ownership group clearly values experience). If not, the optimist in me is hoping that Bobby V. gets replaced by Tito 18 months from now.

[BigSlick]

Kid T, on 30 November 2011 - 10:34 PM, said:

If not, the optimist in me is hoping that Bobby V. gets replaced by Tito 18 months from now.

Well shit, if we're going to be optimists, how about 11 months from now Bobby V says "I'm retiring. I only took this job to win a ring and now that I've done that I have no reason to stay on."

Then he gets replaced by Tito.

[Hail Cesar]

BigSlick, on 01 December 2011 - 12:28 AM, said:

Well shit, if we're going to be optimists, how about 11 months from now Bobby V says "I'm retiring. I only took this job to win a ring and now that I've done that I have no reason to stay on."

Then he gets replaced by Tito.

At the press conference 11 months from now Tito starts things off by saying, "I thought the Red Sox needed a new voice. Well, you know what, that new voice is me." Classic. You can't script this stuff.

[Mike LansWho]

Press conference tonight at 5:30 Eastern. Looks like a 2-year deal for Bobby Valentine. Hmm, John Farrell is under contract for two more years. Coincidence?

[Manny's PS2]

More like "insurance clause". Though would it surprise anyone if Farrell gets extended long before BV's contract is up? They hand out extensions to managers like crack rocks to Tim Raines.

[Cambridge]

My take on the hiring:

http://www.fangraphs...business-model/

[Hail Cesar]

Cambridge, on 02 December 2011 - 10:45 AM, said:

My take on the hiring:

http://www.fangraphs...business-model/

Fancy.

Good points, and, as we all already know, only time will tell.