​​​​UPDATE: 11/13

The Reds brought in a person from the past that played for one season back in the mid-80s. His post playing career is more accomplishing as he established himself to be a successful manager that netted World Series titles during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox. After taking a little time off, Terry Francona was able to pull together a string of successful seasons as head of the Cleveland Guardians. When it was time to stepped aside due to health reasons, he moved up to the front office. Well the time off to get back to health proved beneficial as he was named manager of the Cincinnati Reds. His goal is to bring fun and energy back to the club...............the right way. He mentioned the situation just "felt right".

 

Going In A Different Direction

There was a level of expectations in the Queen City as the Cincinnati Reds made a couple of free agent moves that was supposed to bolster the club. There were expectations for them to be competitive in their division, and, be in the mix for the postseason. In addition, this was to be the first full-season of the team utilizing budding superstar, Elly De La Cruz. The season didn't start in quite the note as their everyday second baseman, Matt McLain, went down for the season. It got worse when promising third baseman, Noelvi Marte, got slapped with a lengthy suspension for illegal usage of performance enhancing drugs. However, the sticking point throughout the season was the pitching staff; as it was felt it underperformed of what was supposed to be a good staff. Poor execution on the field and on the base paths piled on to the deficiencies. In the end, GM Nick Krall felt it was time to cut the tenure of manager David Bell in the winding days of the season. Bench Coach Freddie Benavides took over the helm to finish it out.   

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Change In The Emerald City

​A few months ago, the Seattle Mariners were in the driver's seat in the AL West as they led the division as many as ten games. They were ranked as high as sixth in Week 11 of our Power 10 Rankings. As a couple months went by, the Houston Astros were able to get things together after a rough start under new manager Jose Espada; the Mariners started to play substandard ball-resulting in the team ceasing control of the division to the aforementioned Astros. Now, they seem to be losing grips to making the postseason.

 

After seeing the record slip all the way to the .500 mark, the Mariners decided to part ways with longtime manager Scott Servais. Servais will be remembered as the one that led the team to the postseason in '22.............only to blow the series to the Astros after being in control of the series. The team decided to name special assignment coordinator (dealing with the farm system) Dan Wilson as the their next manager . Wilson is a former longtime starting catcher for the club and member of the Mariners Hall Of Fame. In addition, Mariners hitting great, Edgar Martinez, was brought in for a second stint as their hitting coach. 

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The club hopes this can spark a change of play as they find themselves out several games for the third wild-card spot. 

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Supposed Rebuilding Year Comes With A Parting

​​A good interview doesn't sometimes equate to a first-time success. That was not the case here with the Chicago White Sox.

 

After a rocky first season that included revelations of an unaccountable clubhouse culture, the aura went from rocky to an abyss into the second season of Pedro Grifol. After enduring one of the most longest consecutive losing streaks in baseball, the White Sox cut bait with the embattled manager in what was supposedly a rebuilding season under a new general manager in Chris Getz. After starting the season on what was a positive note, it went straight downhill from there, including two double digit losing streaks prior to the near historic run. It was virtually a disastrous tenure for the former Kansas City Royals bench coach. In addition to his dismissal: bench coach Charlie Montoyo (former Toronto Blue Jays manager), third base coach Eddie Rodriguez, and assistant coach Mike Tosar were all given their future endeavors. In an interim basis, former Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore will guide the team for the final two months. However, he has been informed that he may not be part of the managerial search as Getz decided the new manager will come from outside the organization. The search for a new manager led to the Texas Rangers.......... where associate coach Will Venable was chosen to take on the task of rebuilding the club. 

 

Getz wants to develop a new energy around a team that still has two critical pieces in Luis Robert Jr and Garrett Crochet, two players that were subject to trade deadline rumors and speculation.

 

The First To Be Made Available

​The reigning NL manager of the year, Skip Schumaker, is having a not so awarding year as he started out on a rough note that virtually wasn't his fault. He decided to not go forward with his option to stay next season with the Miami Marlins thus he be on the market for a new team. Looking for a new man to lead the ballclub, the organization went out West to select Clayton McCullough from the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The club is looking forward to bringing his experience of winning to a team in need of positive guidance.​​​​​​​​​