Shockwaves...
... throughout the analytical community as the Paul DePodesta project is ended after just 2 years. Reaction here, here and comprehensive coverage at 6-4-2.
Among the disenchanted, there are dire warnings of where the Dodgers are headed: if [INSERT TEAM HERE] continues down this path, they will end up at the bottom of the sea like the Kansas City Royals:
I disagree. No matter how bad things might look bad right now in Los Angeles, they are in no danger of falling to our depths. Frank McCourt, at least, runs his team with a sense of urgency, misplaced or not, while David Glass is swattin' flies and sippin' Country Time on his front porch. Meanwhile, the Dodgers' system is loaded, while the Royals are counting on Luis Cota to solve their pitching problems."If, with every hurdle that comes, McCourt is going to fire somebody, that increases the chances he'll turn the team into the Royals, a team that is constantly starting over and repairing mistakes," said Jon Weisman, proprietor of the independent website http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/. The Kansas City Royals, another once-proud franchise, lost 106 games last season. They have not appeared in the playoffs since winning the World Series in 1985.
The Dodgers do not know of despair.
UPDATE: Now comes word that Theo Epstein will not return to the Boston Red Sox next season. How can the Royals afford to sit on their hands right now, knowing that two of the brightest young baseball minds are on the market now, and that there's a 95% chance they're going to fire Allard Baird at the end of next season anyway?
posted by DL @ 10:30 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
So true, I always find humor when teams like the Dodgers or Yankees claim they are in dispair.
On the contrary, I think if Weisman knew a single thing about the Royals franchise, he'd know that our leadership at the top has been remarkably stable -- for better or worse -- over the last five years.
Feels like another misinformed cheap shot at the Royals, but nothing I'm going to get upset about. He's right about the Dodgers though -- DePodesta was not the problem, and he didn't deserve to be fired after just two seasons.
Weisman is half-right: the Royals are constantly starting over, but its not due to management instability, just good, ol' fashioned imcompetence/complacency.
Question: Would the Royals ever consider making a push for DePo, moving Baird to back a #2/scouting guru type?
I know the answer to this question of course (David Glass: "Who is Paul Depondter?"). But its fun to ask anyway.
The Royals have it much better than the Dodgers. Come on, just try to imagine being a Dodger fan, in a huge market, but with no championships since 1988. You know the Dodgers won't lose 100 games, but you also know they will let you down in the end. They will only pay the price to be mediocre.
Now, consider your lots as Royals fans. You NEVER suffer a letdown. You know before the season starts that your team is going to suck. You already know, in March, that your team will be about as good as the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. Royals fans never know heartbreak or disappointment. They never know the sadness of an underachieving fourth-place team in August.
Don't expect any sympathy in Dodgerland!
I'd take mediocrity over 100 losses every year though. As far as failed expectations go, while the 2003 season was a complete fluke, the Royals were expecting their best team in a decade in 2004 and ended up setting the franchise record for losses. They set the franchise record for losses in 2005 as well, and also in 2002, and tied it in 2001. Notice a trend here? And remarkably, our GM has kept his job.
I'm very much a pro-Baird guy and wanted him to stay, but anyone who actually prefers Allard to Theo Epstein is flat-out insane.
If there's a classy and dignified to demote Allard, I'd do it and hire Theo in an instant.
Two excellent young baseball minds are suddenly available. Forget what you said a few weeks ago about Baird, Mr. Glass. You know you're just going to fire him at the end of next season anyway, because the team is sure to lose at least 90 games. Just end it NOW and hire Epstein. If Epstein ends up back in Boston (which I suspect), then DePo.
I'd love to see an angry and motivated DePo get a shot in KC.
The Bell hire, caused by Glass or not, officially ended my belief in Allard.
Post a Comment
<< Home