Whaddya think-- Gardy to the Nats?

[Thrylos]

 

I don't see Gardenhire being hired by any team unless he's willing to change with the times. Even than there might be better candidates like Bud Black hired chosen over him.

 

Nah.  Not the Nats.  But he would be a perfect fit for the Gnats.

[David HK]

 

 In Washington the baloney wagon is always groaning from the load.

Hee Haw!!  Good one, Jimbo-  I can almost hear the creaking!  

[ScottyB]

Now Gardy is interviewing with the Pads in SD.  PS if he takes Vavra with him, it opens the door for Dougy Baseball to get to the bigs as a coach or maybe even a way to open the door for Torii to stay with the team in a capacity other than player.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Nationals to interview Baker-Black-Gardy troika

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/10/14/nationals-to-interview-dusty-baker-ron-gardenhire/

 

I still think Gardy is the best option for that team. He wore out his welcome here several years ago, but he's got that in-your-face player's manager sort of personality and the physical presence to back it up, not to mention the experience. He's dealt with a team consisting of Torii, AJ, and Meintkeiwcz on it, all who are your Type A's Type A. Gardy only won 1 playoff series, but you know, Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer are, by some metrics, slightly better options than Carlos Silva and Brian Duensing.

 

Gardy might have to bend a little from certain things he did here. He should know that. Then there's Dusty Baker, he had a good run but he's done. Anyone know anything about Bud Black? I just don't see why he's such a media darling. Another dark horse would be Billy Gardner Jr who is the Nats AAA manager but again, they need someone from the outside who no one already knows what buttons to push. Gardy will not let anyone push his buttons.

[nicksaviking]

What am I missing with Vavra, why would he leave leave willingly? He basically got promoted to second in command last year and he's from Western Wisconsin.

 

He wasn't one of Gardy's guys either. Ryan brought him in from outside the organization to replace Gardy's guy Scott Ulger.

 

Also his kid's in the system, and doing unexpectedly well.

[DaveW]

Yeah Vavra isn't going to leave.

[Thrylos]

 

He wasn't one of Gardy's guys either. Ryan brought him in from outside the organization to replace Gardy's guy Scott Ulger.

Also his kid's in the system, and doing unexpectedly well.

 

A couple things:

 

Kids.  Vavra has 2 sons in the system:  25 year old Tanner Vavra hitting .258/.346/.300 (.646 OPS) in A+, as 2.4 years older than the league and 23 year old Trey Vavra hitting .346/.406/.538 in A, as 1.6 years older that the league.  Tanner looks like his dad, but Trey is a bit taller and more athletic.  Tanner is not doing that well, Trey is indeed doing unexpectedly well, but got to see what he can do in  AAA

 

Vavra replaced Al Newman in the Twins' coaching stuff after the 2005 season.  Ullger moved to Newman's position (third base) and Vavra to Ullger's (hitting.)  Not outside of the organization.  Vavra was the Twins' minor league fielding coordinator from 2002-2005... 

 

Not one of the original Gardy 5, but Gardy's guy for seven seasons, from 2006-2014

[jokin]

 

 Gardy is a big personality and could command instant authority in the Nationals clubhouse.

 

Nats not satisfied with their first round of interviews, and now looking in a completely different direction? Per MLB Traderumors:

 

The Nationals have received permission from the Giants to interview bench coach Ron Wotus to fill their managerial vacancy. Wotus has coached on the Giants’ Major League staff for the past 17 seasons and is a two-time Minor League Manager of the Year.

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Nats not satisfied with their first round of interviews, and now looking in a completely different direction? Per MLB Traderumors:

Didn't find a link for that bit of information. Gardy's interview is next week, last I heard.

[Monkeypaws]

 

Do we get Ramos back in return?

Well, I imagine he thought he was redundant once upon a time....

 

 

Unless that was BS.

[sane]

Gardy's interview is next week, last I heard.

Go talk to the tree!

[Pius Jefferson]

I wonder if not being satisfied means interest in coaches on teams still active. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

True. It appears the Nationals are interested in Don Mattingly.

 

Ultimately, any organization is going to hire a guy they are comfortable with, whether he is the best choice or not. Once again, postseason records and starting pitching. If you are the kind of organization who feels that Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw are basically as good as Brian Duensing and Carl Pavano, then you might be interested in Mattingly over Gardenhire.

[jokin]

 

True. It appears the Nationals are interested in Don Mattingly.

 

Ultimately, any organization is going to hire a guy they are comfortable with, whether he is the best choice or not. Once again, postseason records and starting pitching. If you are the kind of organization who feels that Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw are basically as good as Brian Duensing and Carl Pavano, then you might be interested in Mattingly over Gardenhire.

 

In addition to Mattingly, the "Hot Three" candidatess, Nevin, Black and Cora are reportedly the highest on the Nats list, with Wotus as the latest dark horse/sleeper candidate most recently mentioned.

 

By comparison, Dusty Baker (who interviewed with Wash. on Saturday) and Gardy seem more like courtesy calls and safety picks should the Nats be unable to land one of the hot shots. ( would think that just the fact that Gardy requires usually 13, and sometimes 14, pitchers, plus oft-times 3 catchers, would make his seamless transition to NL-style ball problematic, at best.

 

From MLB Traderumors:

 

...both Ron Gardenhire and Dusty Baker have already expressed interest in the (Nats) position. It’s not clear if their interest is reciprocated at this point...

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Update. Heyman is reporting that the Nationals have narrowed it to Bud Black and Dusty Baker. Which means they have narrowed it to Bud Black and... and Bud Black. I am trying to find some juicy stories about Black but all I read is he's a "great guy," "smart guy" diplomatic, "nice guy." Which is funny, because that's the last thing that team needs, is a great guy running the clubhouse who wants to sort things out diplomatically. But not my problem.

 

Mattingly is now rumored to Miami. Again, not my problem.

 

Gardy, however, has gotten some affirmative coverage from the San Diego folks. Lots of blogs like him. Apparently he has had two interviews with Preller (the beleaguered San Diego GM). At first it seems like a poor man's Washington, with several B level superstars there in San Diego, but they also have some pitching, a top 3 closer (Gardy loves his closers) and in the same division as San Fran and LA, the expectations are not what they would be in Washington. Meaning, Gardy's style of "go out there, have fun, but don't piss me off" style might have as good a chance of working in San Diego as anywhere else. The cons are that Gardy doesn't seem like a west coast guy. But hopefully he is warming to it. I was not a Gardy guy at the end the last few years. But honestly compared with some of these other guys, he's a fine skipper. With Avila changing his mind on Ausmus in Detroit, and Rizzo in Washington apparently not interested, San Diego might be Gardy's only option if he wants to get back in the game in 2016.

 

Another good thing you can say about Preller and San Diego is that they did not make any of those big trades at the deadline in 2015. It was reported that most of the teams calling San Diego were looking for fire-sale bargains, so it could be a point of strength that he didn't buckle or undercut the value of his guys. I will predict Gardy is named manager of the Padres shortly after the World Series. We'll see. Also, this beer is cold and I'll have another.

[jokin]

 

Update. Heyman is reporting that the Nationals have narrowed it to Bud Black and Dusty Baker. Which means they have narrowed it to Bud Black and... and Bud Black. I am trying to find some juicy stories about Black but all I read is he's a "great guy," "smart guy" diplomatic, "nice guy." Which is funny, because that's the last thing that team needs, is a great guy running the clubhouse who wants to sort things out diplomatically. But not my problem.

Mattingly is now rumored to Miami. Again, not my problem.

Gardy, however, has gotten some affirmative coverage from the San Diego folks. Lots of blogs like him. Apparently he has had two interviews with Preller (the beleaguered San Diego GM). At first it seems like a poor man's Washington, with several B level superstars there in San Diego, but they also have some pitching, a top 3 closer (Gardy loves his closers) and in the same division as San Fran and LA, the expectations are not what they would be in Washington. Meaning, Gardy's style of "go out there, have fun, but don't piss me off" style might have as good a chance of working in San Diego as anywhere else. The cons are that Gardy doesn't seem like a west coast guy. But hopefully he is warming to it. I was not a Gardy guy at the end the last few years. But honestly compared with some of these other guys, he's a fine skipper. With Avila changing his mind on Ausmus in Detroit, and Rizzo in Washington apparently not interested, San Diego might be Gardy's only option if he wants to get back in the game in 2016.

Another good thing you can say about Preller and San Diego is that they did not make any of those big trades at the deadline in 2015. It was reported that most of the teams calling San Diego were looking for fire-sale bargains, so it could be a point of strength that he didn't buckle or undercut the value of his guys. I will predict Gardy is named manager of the Padres shortly after the World Series. We'll see. Also, this beer is cold and I'll have another.

 

Mattingly seems almost a shoo-in at Miami ("Good Luck!"). DougieMint never a serious candidate there?

 

And I do agree, Gardy seems like a good fit in Pad land. Is there a more laid back big city in the country?

Also, brings up even more questions... Might he have input on wanting to bring some of his "Gardy guys" with him?  Would any GM approve of Andy back in the pitching coach chair?  On the player side, would he push for a trade for Dozier, Zuke, even Plouffe?

[DaveW]

 

  On the player side, would he push for a trade for Dozier, Zuke, even Plouffe?

Doubtful....Punto on the other hand...

[jctwins]

Good weather and bump his pension eligibility.

 

How is the fishing in that part of California?

 

This is almost all this decision would be about if Gardy comes back to baseball.

 

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Also, I almost forgot. Here is the frontrunner to win the Dodger's job, and why the heck not?

 

 

http://media.jsonline.com/images/203295751_GabeKaplerlunge.jpg

 

http://www.muscleprodigy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gabe-kapler-photo-101.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

I'm pretty sure there are some people on Twitter I follow that say he'll be number 1 for sexy managers going forward.....

[nicksaviking]

I'm not sure about that Padres job for Gardy, he might only have one year to turn it around.  If the Padres still struggle next year, I'd think Preller will be out the door and through no fault of Gardy, a new GM often means a new manager.

 

I'd also have concerns about him and that ballpark.  It's huge and he hasn't traditionally shifted. Also when you have a lot of field to cover, your best bet is let your pitchers try to strike out the side.  Not to stir up old debates, but that never seemed to be Gardy's approach.

[jctwins]

 

I'm not sure about that Padres job for Gardy, he might only have one year to turn it around.  If the Padres still struggle next year, I'd think Preller will be out the door and through no fault of Gardy, a new GM often means a new manager.

 

I'd also have concerns about him and that ballpark.  It's huge and he hasn't traditionally shifted. Also when you have a lot of field to cover, your best bet is let your pitchers try to strike out the side.  Not to stir up old debates, but that never seemed to be Gardy's approach.

 

I thought when a GM is fired they just bring back the last GM and keep everything the same. Isn't that the way it works everywhere?

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

A couple things:

 

Kids.  Vavra has 2 sons in the system:  25 year old Tanner Vavra hitting .258/.346/.300 (.646 OPS) in A+, as 2.4 years older than the league and 23 year old Trey Vavra hitting .346/.406/.538 in A, as 1.6 years older that the league.  Tanner looks like his dad, but Trey is a bit taller and more athletic.  Tanner is not doing that well, Trey is indeed doing unexpectedly well, but got to see what he can do in  AAA

 

Vavra replaced Al Newman in the Twins' coaching stuff after the 2005 season.  Ullger moved to Newman's position (third base) and Vavra to Ullger's (hitting.)  Not outside of the organization.  Vavra was the Twins' minor league fielding coordinator from 2002-2005... 

 

Not one of the original Gardy 5, but Gardy's guy for seven seasons, from 2006-2014

 

Yeah, don't think either of those kids are prospects, but Trey would fall into the sleeper category.  I'm not a van of Vavra as a coach, and it's quite possible that with kids in the system or not, dad may leave simply for a better opportunity.  It isn't as if his current job as an ML coach gives him more family time with his sons.

 

BTW side, note, but doesn't Tanner have a physical handicap as well?  I was thinking he as deaf in one ear for some reason.  Could be wrong though. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Also, I almost forgot. Here is the frontrunner to win the Dodger's job, and why the heck not?

 

 

http://media.jsonline.com/images/203295751_GabeKaplerlunge.jpg

 

http://www.muscleprodigy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gabe-kapler-photo-101.jpg

 

I didn't realize they were serious about my application for the job. 

[Mike Sixel]

I thought when a GM is fired they just bring back the last GM and keep everything the same. Isn't that the way it works everywhere?

Winner.

[70charger]

BTW side, note, but doesn't Tanner have a physical handicap as well? I was thinking he as deaf in one ear for some reason. Could be wrong though.

I think he had a fish hook go through one eye. Amazing to me he can hit anything at any level.

[Pius Jefferson]

 

Also, I almost forgot. Here is the frontrunner to win the Dodger's job, and why the heck not?

 

 

http://media.jsonline.com/images/203295751_GabeKaplerlunge.jpg

 

http://www.muscleprodigy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gabe-kapler-photo-101.jpg

 f

I heard this Gabe is the front-runner for the Nationals job.

 

[nowheresville]

Gardenhire won't be going to San Diego. The Padres are going with Andy Green, Arizona's 3rd base coach.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Yep. Looks like MLB radio for Gardy in 2016. 

 

The manager was apparently permitted to choose his own coaches for this position. And as jokin suggested above, this might have swung the difference. Who knows?

[Winston Smith]

The game is changing, more and more stat oriented front offices it could be very hard for Gardy to find a match.