At last the Red Sox long winding managerial search is almost over. After a month of searching and interviewing, the Red Sox seem to have the field narrowed to two; Bobby Valentine and Gene Lamont.

While neither option is stellar, like it or not one of these two men will be managing the Red Sox win 2012, barring any major surprises.  The biggest question is, who should get the job?

My opinion is that if the final two candidates are indeed Valentine and Lamont, Valentine should absolutely get the job. He impressed in his “press conference” and has much more major league managing experience than Lamont. A big plus in Valentine’s favor is that he seems much more inclined to be a stats guy, something that the Red Sox front office loves. On the other hand it is well-known that Lamont is far less a numbers guy, and more of a “hunch” guy, a lot like Grady Little.

Lamont is also older (albeit not by much) than Valentine, and never really enjoyed much success as a manager. He had two first place finishes, but other than that he didn’t enjoy much success at all. Continue reading »

With Jonathon Papelbon donning a Phillies uniform next year, Red Sox nation is well aware that restructuring the bullpen is an area of concern this off-season. Some thought Joe Nathan was a prime target to fill the closer void, but he is now off to Texas. So, this leaves the Red Sox with some questions to answer: Is Daniel Bard ready to take over? Will Bobby Jenks be ready to go by the time spring training rolls around? Does the front office look outside the organization for its next closer? Well, here are some possible free agent relievers you could see in Boston next season.

Continue reading »

Well, the Cubs have “stolen” Dale Sveum from the Red Sox and will name him as their next skipper on Friday.  Count me as one of the people not running to go buy a box of tissues because he won’t become the next fearless leader of the Sox.

I may end up being completely wrong next year at this time; however I don’t think I will be.

When Sveum was the Red Sox 3^rd base Coach from 2004-2005, he wasn’t exactly worshiped by the fans or the media. As I recall he was known as “Send em in Sveum”, and it wasn’t because we he was fantastic at his job. I understand that everybody is up in arms that the Sox have not named a Manager yet, and it seems as though the Cherington may be clashing with Lucchino and Henry.  Yet I don’t feel its time to get worried or panic at all. Francona was not named Manager until December the year he was hired (2003) and that worked out pretty well didn’t it?

Personally I have been pulling for Sandy Alomar Jr to get the gig.  However I wouldn’t mind seeing the Sox make a run at Ryne Sandberg or Bobby V. Either way, learning that Sveum is going to Chicago did not put a damper on my day.  Out of all the potential candidates mentioned to be the next Bo Sox Skipper, he was the person I was least excited about.

The Brewers had an opening for Manager while he was on the Staff, and even after he managed them at the end of 2009, they still decided that Ken Macha was a better choice.  Red Flag anyone?

I’m not trying to sound like a jerk, I am just being honest. I don’t think Sveum is ready to manage a team like the Red Sox, coming off a season like they just did, in a media market as frenzied as Beantown. I’m sure the Sox will have somebody in place very soon.  It is not time to fret, get worried or cry.  That is unless somebody brings up Heidi Watney!

She’s leaving? Say it aint so Hedi, say it aint so?

Multiple sources are reporting that Bobby Valentine will meet with the Red Sox to discuss the vacant manager position before the week is over. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reported that both Ben Cherington and Larry Lucchino already met with Valentine earlier in the process, and that one of the owners has also spoken with Valentine this offseason. Earlier today, when asked if he had any interest in the position, Valentine responded “No comment.”

The Red Sox front office has stated that they are valuing previous experience very highly while searching for the next manager and Bobby Valentine certainly fits the bill; he has 15 years of experience managing in the MLB and also managed in Japan for 6 years.

The timing of these reports are rather suspicious after Cherington stated earlier that the front office would take a break from the manager search while he is away in the Dominican. If the Red Sox meet with Valentine before the end of the week, the meeting would happen in the absence of Ben Cherington. ESPN’s Keith Law agreed that it certainly seems as though the owners are operating over the new GM’s head.