McLaren's Replacement?

by Fin on May 4, 2008 7:10 PM PDT

We all know that McLaren isn't manager material and should be fired, but now the team is starting to play as if he is completely ineffective. If this keeps up, he will probably be fired by June or July, I'd guess. I feel that there is enough blame to go around for everyone, from Bavasi all the way to the players and coaches, but John McLaren will most likely be the scapegoat, even though he deserves it after his shoddy bullpen management and horrible line-ups he draws up day in and day out. The issue is, who will he be replaced with? Will the franchise go outside for the replacement, or promote from within? I have seen the off season coverage of McLaren building his coaching staff, recruiting veteran coaches, such as Mel Stottlemyre and so on. I know that Jim Riggleman and Sam Perlozzo were both managers before. I am scared that if McLaren is fired, one of those two would be promoted rather than having an external replacement. Any suggestions for McLaren's replacement?

I would feel confident if the right manager is hired soon enough, the Mariners can turn the season around. I was a fan of the Marlins in 2003, and they had went from a 19-29 record to win it all after replacing their manager in mid-May. The only concern is that I guess it is either Howard Lincoln, Chuck Armstrong, or Bill Bavasi who gets to choose the replacement, which scares me.

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A shit flinging castrated albino monkey with feline aids.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on May 4, 2008 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

OMG WE SHOULD HIRE PAT BORDERS

HE USED TO BE A CATCHER!

Seriously though, I have no idea who should replace him. I do agree that if the team keeps playing this poorly, Squinty is the first man on the firing range.

That makes me sad, though. I worked hard on my Squinty McClusterfuck magic card.

by BrianL on May 4, 2008 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

Borders wouldn't be the worst choice.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on May 5, 2008 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

That would be too bad.

At least McLaren tried to do something to win ballgames instead of sitting on his rear like the previous managers we’ve had.

And it really doesn’t change the fact that we have a lousy core offense.

by ThundaPC on May 4, 2008 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

I'm not a huge McLaren fan, but I don't think he needs to be fired

he seems to be sticking with Clement/Wlad through the losing streak when he could easily stick Vidro/Willie in there.

He’s sticking with Lopez in the 2-hole. He’s kept faith in Lowe despite some early struggles and he’s used RRS in some high leverage spots.

McLaren might be the scapegoat at some point, but the 13-19 record isn’t his fault.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on May 4, 2008 8:01 PM PDT reply actions

I agree

I find his 2008 decisions to be much improved and I don’t think he’s actively holding back this team.

by Matthew on May 4, 2008 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Very good points

And I pointed out that the players and BB deserve the blame as well, but McLaren will most likely be scapegoated to the point of being fired. Either that, or Jeff Pentland will be the scapegoat of the horrid offense, despite him probably having little or no effect on the offense.

by Fin on May 4, 2008 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I should of clarified that I do agree with your post

I do think Mac is a likely scapegoat

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on May 4, 2008 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Scapegoat...

....like Bob Melvin was a scapegoat…

Don’t think upper management has learned anything since then.

by rtang on May 4, 2008 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Only thing about Mac though is he looks/sounds defeated

We all know he cares deeply, but the man does not exude confidence. I know its an appearance thing, but if he doesn’t appear to be a leader, can he be effective in getting things changed?

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on May 4, 2008 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he is better as a wing man to someone more strong willed, such as Lou Piniella.

by Fin on May 4, 2008 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

re:can he be effective in getting things changed?

that’s really up to the players. Only they can determine when things get turned around.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on May 4, 2008 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Absolutely agree about the players.

This is not Mac’s fault that the roster was poorly built and that it sucks. But he doesn’t seem to be any kind of leader or inspiration for change.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on May 4, 2008 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions

It would still be nice if RRS existed

by seattlebruin on May 4, 2008 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah

Mach certainly doesn’t have the flair of Lou or the fire of Leyland, but I do think the players respect Mac and they want to win for him. Hopefully that will help them get their heads out of their asses.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on May 4, 2008 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Mach?? don't know where that H came from

I probably borrowed it from Jhonny Peralta.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on May 4, 2008 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

BoMel?

Funny how he’s suddenly good.

Anyway… whatever happens, please please please make the new manager INTERIM instead of needlessly committing to the guy. Nothing good can happen from making a rash commitment to an internal guy, or bringing in an external guy on a whim.

by discovolante on May 4, 2008 8:27 PM PDT reply actions

I never thought he was a bad manager

the FO killed him with the roster moves.

by BrianL on May 4, 2008 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Ie...

...BoMel was scapegoated.

It’s more the players. And the management philosophy is what produces the players. (And next question, no, it’s not all from Bavasi…that philosophy has been here since before he arrived…)

by rtang on May 4, 2008 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions