Some of you may be thinking, “The hot stove? We haven’t even started the League Championship Series yet.” But, there’s never a bad time to light the Hot Stove, especially when there’s a crispness in October air in the northeast.
Carlos Beltran hoped to make the playoffs with the New York Yankees this season. When that didn’t work out, he was dealt to the Texas Rangers and made it to the post-season. A quick three-game sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays in the division series and Beltran’s season was over just like that. Though he’ll be 40 in April and is without a contract, the Yankees’ 2016 MVP is planning on continuing his Major League career next season.
Could the New York Mets have seen the last of Yoenis Cespedes? The Cuban-born outfielder has an opt-out clause that can be exercised during the offseason. It was thought that he would definitely return next year, but rumors began to swirl prior to the end of the season that he would depart NYC. The rumors ramped up when the Mets were eliminated by Madison Bumgarner and the Giants in the one-game Wild Card playoff. If Cespedes remains a Met, he’ll average $25MM for the next two years.
A no-brainer here: The Rangers will pick up catcher Jonathan Lucroy’s $5.75MM option for next year. Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress were acquired from Milwaukee at the non-waiver trade deadline for prospects Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz, and another minor leaguer.
The Marlins re-upped with two former Yankees. The team gave infielder and free agent-to-be Martin Prado a new 3-year, $40MM deal. They also exercised a $2MM option on Ichiro Suzuki.
Infielder Donovan Solano, a late pickup by the Yankees, declined to be outrighted by the team and chose to become a free agent.
The Skippers – Feeling the burn?
It didn’t take long for some managerial shakeups to happen. There were some surprising developments, however.
Robin Ventura: In our pre- and in-season managerial reviews, I tabbed Ventura as a goner unless the Chicago White Sox had a big season – a season that would exceed expectations, or at the very least, result in a playoff spot. Neither of those things happened, so the popular sentiment was that Ventura was as good as gone.
But, then he wasn’t. The day after the regular season ended, the White Sox reportedly wanted Ventura to return. The surprise hadn’t worn off yet when Ventura told the front office, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Ventura told the media he felt the team needed a change. Rick Renteria was quickly named as the new manager. For now, he’s the only Latino manager in the Major Leagues. Renteria managed the Cubs in 2014 but was dumped in favor of Joe Maddon.
Brad Ausmus: The Detroit Tigers’ manager was also on the hot seat entering the 2016 season. I figured that the Tigers had to make the playoffs and have a decent run in the post-season or Ausmus would be gone. Even Ausmus thought he was done after the Tigers were eliminated from the Wild Card race on the last day of the season. “You might want to ask whoever’s managing next year.”, Ausmus responded to reporters’ questions after Sunday’s finale. GM Al Avila’s neck could be on the line as well next season after the Tigers decided to pick up Ausmus’ option for 2017.
Perhaps the Tigers’ front office was swayed to retain Ausmus based on the injuries to starting pitchers Jordan Zimmerman and Daniel Norris, and the poor first half by outfielder Justin Upton.
Bryan Price: Another surprise came out of Cincinnati. Price has a three-year record in Cincy of 208-278 and didn’t reach 70 wins the last two seasons. Not everything is a manager’s fault…he’s not the one who puts the team together, but it still came as a surprise when Price’s option for 2017 was picked up. The Reds are going to need a lot more in their lineup than just Joey Votto if Price goes beyond next season.
Walt Weiss: The Colorado Rockies’ skipper decided he had enough. At least, that’s how the story is being publicly portrayed. Weiss compiled a 283-365 (.437) record in four seasons in Colorado. Weiss wasn’t going to be back and he knew it, so he stepped down before his contract officially expired this year. He had no contract for next season and no option that could have been picked up. Former Padres manager and longtime LA Angels pitching coach, Bud Black, is said to be interested in the job.
Brian Snitker: Unless you have followed the Atlanta Braves for years, it’s likely you had no idea who Snitker was when he replaced the fired Fredi Gonzalez back in May. The Braves were 59-65 under Snitker, who was named on Tuesday as the team’s manager for 2017. A big congrats to a guy who has been in the Braves’ organization for 41 years and turns 61 next week. Originally a 25th round draft pick by the Cubs, Snitker was a catcher in the Braves’ minor leagues from 1977-1980. He became a minor league manager in 1982 and spent 19 seasons in that capacity. He was also Atlanta’s bench coach from 2006-2013.
Chip Hale: Monsoon season in Arizona (Yes, there really is one.) ended in September, but you wouldn’t know that if you were near Chase Field. The home of the Diamondbacks saw a mighty wind send manager Hale and GM Dave Stewart to the unemployment office. Chief of Baseball Operations, Tony LaRussa, will likely depart after his recent meeting with owner Ken Kendrick. LaRussa was the man behind most of the decisions regarding the makeup of the team last offseason. The team already dismissed VP of Baseball Operations, De Jon Watson, back in September. The Diamondbacks are reportedly going to ask for permission to speak with Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo about their front-office openings. Rizzo was the Dbacks’ Scouting Director prior to his hire by the Nats.
John Farrell: One day after the Boston Red Sox were swept in the Division Series, Farrell and his entire coaching staff were retained for next season. No surprises there.
Coaches have feelings too
Managers aren’t the only baseball personnel looking for new jobs this offseason. Miami was very happy with Don Mattingly, (or as happy as someone like owner Jeffrey Loria can be), but dumped hitting coach Barry Bonds, third base coach Lenny Harris and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius.
Six coaches were retained by the Phillies, but Steve Henderson wasn’t one of them. The hitting coach took the fall for a team that was last in the Major leagues in runs scored.
Snitker will have a new pitching coach working for him in Atlanta. After 11 seasons, Roger McDowell was let go by the Braves. The Braves’ failure to develop young pitching was reportedly the reason for McDowell’s dismissal. Chuck Hernandez was named as McDowell’s replacement. Snitker’s third base coach will be former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington.
Stay tuned as the Bronx Pinstripes’ Hot Stove starts to glow brighter and brighter.
