So Much For Posting A Weekend In Review
Note: posting will be back to normal tomorrow.
(Game thread posted below.)
When my plane landed in San Diego, I turned on my phone to seven new text messages and two new voicemails. When I got home and booted up the computer, I found five new Bavasi-related emails. Needless to say, it was a bit of a deluge. I'm still waiting for a knock on the door from FedEx since that seems to be the next logical step.
Leone For Third first opened up about a week before Bavasi was hired back in the fall of 2003. For all intents and purposes, as a blogger, I have known no other GM. The four and a half years since have been fraught with disappointment and well-intentioned failure. Bavasi's always been a hell of a guy who only wanted what was best for the team and who's always been willing to talk with his harshest critics face to face, but while I commend him for that, at the end of the day, if the only people you're meeting are critics, that means a lot is going wrong, and too much has gone wrong for the organization to justify keeping him in his role.
Bill Bavasi is finished as a Major League GM. I mean, sure, I guess the slim possiblity always exists that he could luck himself into another situation, but baseball is shifting irreversibly away from the back-slapping old school approach to roster management, and as Derek(?) remarked about the soon-to-be-fired John McLaren on Saturday, no team with a vacant managerial position down the road is going to look at Bavasi and say "that's the guy we need." It just isn't going to happen. Teams are smarter than that now*. Don't get me wrong, Bavasi will always be able to land a job with some organization if he's so inclined - other failed throwback GMs like Cam Bonifay, Dan Evans, and Woody Woodward have been able to stick around for quite a while as assistants and scouts. But as the guy leading the show, Bavasi is almost certainly done. He's exhausted his opportunities.
I suppose it's appropriate that a regime that never once demonstrated a solid grasp of probability was done in by its greatest gamble. 2008 was supposed to be the year. This was Bavasi's fifth season at the helm, and this was presumably the roster that Bavasi had been trying to build. The roster sucks. I don't know if you've looked at the standings recently, but the team that Bavasi thought was a playoff contender has been, for eleven weeks, three and a half games worse than any other team in baseball. That's really bad. And with so little help on the way, it's not going to be a real easy situation for whoever comes next. I won't go so far as to say that we're completely ruined, because we're not, but this organization is a mess, in large part due to Bavasi's lack of foresight.
Say what you will about ownership's intervention. From things like the Carlos Guillen deal to the Johjima extension, I think we all know that Bavasi was operating within certain constraints. But with that said, over the years it's become abundantly clear what he's all about. He loves chemistry. Loves it. Loves talking about it, and loves trying to build it, even though he himself has said that it's nigh impossible to predict. He also loves veterans, labels, roles, and spending way too much money on marginal improvements. Throw in a crippling inability to evaluate pitching and defense and you have the makings of a disaster. To his credit, Bavasi's pretty good with acquiring minor leaguers and locking up young players to long-term deals, but the former has more to do with his scouts, and as for the latter, on the day of his termination Bavasi's front office found itself at a standstill in contract negotiations with one of the greatest young talents the league has to offer. While the man may not have been granted free reign to do whatever he wanted, given what we know about him, shouldn't we be thankful for that? Ignore the results and look at the thought processes. There is no reason to believe that Bill Bavasi is even a half-decent general manager, and the organization is better off now than it was this morning.
It isn't yet time to celebrate. When I read those messages and listened to my voicemail, I was interested, but I wasn't smiling. Remember the official LL slogan for 2008: It Can Always Get Worse. Today the organization released one of its heaviest anchors. That's good news. But until we know who comes next, I don't think it would be wise to party too hard. In the event that Armstrong and Lincoln stick around, are they going to interview some fresh new blood, or will they stick with the same pool of retreads that can't find work anywhere else? What about Bob Fontaine? What's he going to do? Will the new guy approach Felix with the same zeal that Bavasi did Yuni and Lopez, or will they remain at an impasse? There are a lot of important questions to be asked, and for the time being, we don't have any answers. And so I beg of you, do not assume that we'll come out of this all peaches. We could and we should, but until we know, it's silly to take future improvement for granted. If the Bavasi era taught you anything, let it be that.
I'm looking forward to the interview process. This is a team that could reasonably decide to either play for 2009 or blow everything up, and that's exciting, both for us as fans and for applicants as GM. It's kind of nice to have the immediate future so open-ended, if only because Bavasi was so eminently predictable. I'm excited and nervous. But I'm not nervous because I'm fearful of impending doom; I'm nervous because I don't know quite how to respond to this glimmer of hope. There exists for us and for this organization a glimmer of hope. Not false hope. Real hope. It's there and I can feel it, and for the first time in what seems like forever, I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know the next step. I don't know who Armstrong and Lincoln will interview. I don't know if Armstrong and Lincoln will even be around for the interviews. I don't know what approach the new GM will take with this team. I don't know.
And that's what's so exciting.
* except for the Astros
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That's a cartload and a half of terrible in the related links.
I will miss your willingness to talk to the blogosphere Bavasi.
I am hopeful that the next GM will be willing to listen to us instead.
by Matthew on Jun 16, 2008 6:19 PM PDT 0 recs
Y'know, its funny what you can forget
simply by denying that it ever happened. Thanks for bringing up old retarded memories. Seriously, thanks, I know we’ll never have to deal with that again. (though this feels a bit like when we all wanted Hargrove to quit for the longest time then got McLaren, though to be fair to Hargrove, no one called for him to be fired in 2007 due to, among other things, his excellent bullpen usage).
http://seattlesportsmaniac.blogspot.com
by LantermanC on
Jun 16, 2008 7:23 PM PDT
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Hope...
Your last paragraph was positively Shawshankian, Jeff. Well done, and let’s hope the organization can find a way to make the Mariners shine bright with talent again.
by Bodhizefa on Jun 16, 2008 6:24 PM PDT 0 recs
Maybe Bavasi will come to LL and become a mod
by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Jun 16, 2008 6:25 PM PDT 0 recs
The Mariners could make history and go with Kim Ng, Assistant GM of the Dodgers.
The internet destabilizes every hierarchy it contacts.
by 44FAN on Jun 16, 2008 6:59 PM PDT 0 recs
YO JEFF: On a completely non-baseball related note, I want you to know that...
...as 1.) someone who spent his past life as a professional editor and critic/redactor of other people’s writing style, and; 2.) as someone who has been a faithful LL reader for the last few years; I would say that this is one of your best written and most measured posts ever. You strike the right tone between a triangular arrangement: relief the Bavasi is out, acknowledgment that the man himself is pretty much unequaled when it comes to personal likability, and fear for the future. I still think your “Weaver Pirates CG shutout” post is the one that should occupy pride of place on your literary CV, but this one takes on a critically important subject with an admirably level head. So many other people (myself included) are jumping up and down saying stupid things in the heat of the moment that I appreciate this measured response.
by esoteric on Jun 16, 2008 7:26 PM PDT 0 recs
One failure down, one to go.
I heard Mac say on the pregame show he wants to play Wlad in CF.

by eponymous_coward on Jun 16, 2008 7:34 PM PDT 0 recs
Let's just put Richie in RF and see what happens
No, better yet, take the entire rotation, have them play infield, and just let Ichiro, Burke and Willie pitch.
by Gomez on
Jun 16, 2008 8:11 PM PDT
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Mac is going to start throwing out "fuck it" lineups
Wlad in CF is just the beginning.
by marinator on
Jun 16, 2008 8:12 PM PDT
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They'd be hard pressed to find a GM as terrible as Bavasi
As nice of a guy he was, he was so bad at his job the percentages of finding someone nearly as bad as he was are astronomical.
by marinator on Jun 16, 2008 8:11 PM PDT 0 recs
Wrong.
There are plenty of guys near or below his level.
by Happybelly on
Jun 16, 2008 8:22 PM PDT
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How many guys have managed to torpedo two seperate franchises in the space of a decade?
I don’t think the number is as high as you suggest.
~Till the Halo burns out...
by Zu Long on
Jun 16, 2008 11:08 PM PDT
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3 if you want to make 10 years into 15 years.
Jl/Robert '08: Promise for a CoachCage tomorrow!
by Fin on
Jun 16, 2008 11:17 PM PDT
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it's funny because the Blue Jays were home grown.
"Jeff Clement has a slow bat." -Jeff Sullivan
by JI on
Jun 16, 2008 11:21 PM PDT
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The Jays were sunk more by Gord Ash than Pat Gillick.
Pat Gillick just left after the peak on the success cycle, and Ash didn’t notice.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on
Jun 17, 2008 11:06 AM PDT
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Pat Gillick just left after the peak on the success cycle
I’m sensing a pattern.
by JI on
Jun 17, 2008 11:20 AM PDT
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Here he did more of the future mortgaging that crippled us going forward.
In Toronto he just left and Gord Ash sold the farm to buy Roger Clemens.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on
Jun 17, 2008 11:28 AM PDT
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The Expos were NOT his fault.
You try succeeding with 29 owners who would rather see you fail. Hell, the Mets aren’t really his fault either. He’s put together a pretty good roster, though I suppose you could argue that he needed to fire Randolph a while ago.
~Till the Halo burns out...
by Zu Long on
Jun 16, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
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He shares part of the blame for the Nationals complete lack of talent at the blig league level.
"Jeff Clement has a slow bat." -Jeff Sullivan
by JI on
Jun 17, 2008 12:20 AM PDT
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Still, I think he did pretty good work in Montreal.
Maybe that’s the secret. He’s only good when you place absurd restrictions on him.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on
Jun 17, 2008 11:07 AM PDT
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He turned Phillips, Lee, and Sizmore into Rocky Biddle.
by JI on
Jun 17, 2008 11:21 AM PDT
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He'd been ordered to "win now"
in order to try and save the franchise. The other owners all knew it, since they gave the order, and so they lowballed him on trade offers. He was in a fairly impossible position and did the best he could. Bowden is more to blame than Minaya at this point.
~Till the Halo burns out...
by Zu Long on
Jun 17, 2008 11:27 AM PDT
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To claim that Minaya
has torpedoed the Mets is ridiculous. They were a bad team when he took over.
As GM of the Mets, he’s made his share of mistakes, bad decisions and some good decisions. Overall, he’s been meh.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 17, 2008 6:44 AM PDT
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There's still time.
"Jeff Clement has a slow bat." -Jeff Sullivan
by JI on
Jun 17, 2008 9:40 AM PDT
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Beware
I thought that at first, but these are the same people who looked at Bavasi as a savior when they hired him. I have nightmares of Cam Bonifay or Chuck LaMar even getting interviewed. If they’re even in consideration, that will show us what they’ve learned.
by overmanb on
Jun 17, 2008 11:03 AM PDT
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Just wanted to stop by (visiting from LetsGoTribe) and congratulate Jeff and all our old buddies here on Bavasi’s firing. Even though, (a) we are crushed that it would happen weeks before the Indians possibly were about to start dumping players, and (b) you still can’t have Chris Antonetti.
All kidding aside, it sounds like a joke, but I really am genuinely happy for you guys. You deserved better, and I’m sure you’ll get better with the next guy, even if only because it would be hard to find someone worse considering Ed Wade already has a job. As long as we don’t hear Steve Phillips’ name circulating, it’s safe to say you’re in for a nice improvement.
I hope this makes the season just a little more bearable for you. Losing sucks, but at least you guys get to see some blood.
by Jay on Jun 16, 2008 8:16 PM PDT 0 recs
even if only because it would be hard to find someone worse
You can always do worse. Always. We’re holding off on the victory jig until we know who the replacement is.
by JI on
Jun 16, 2008 9:04 PM PDT
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I understand that reaction. Baseball Tonight just mentioned Antonetti and Cashman (of the expiring contract) as possibilities. Both good ones, but my bet is on neither.
by Jay on
Jun 16, 2008 9:05 PM PDT
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Because...
....this front office is still living in the 20th Century.
AND…they still want someone who they’e “comfortable” with. Apparently, they’ve chased off the only two GM/manager types that have brought the team success—they’d rather be comfortable with their “guys” than be winners…
by rtang on
Jun 16, 2008 9:09 PM PDT
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It fits with the We Can Always Do Worse theme.
Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I know baseball. Yes, I even drink beer.
by NOLAmarinergirl on
Jun 17, 2008 10:08 AM PDT
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Meet the new GM of the Seattle Mariners.

Jl/Robert '08: Promise for a CoachCage tomorrow!
by Fin on
Jun 16, 2008 10:24 PM PDT
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And Krivsky is worse than Bavasi?
Why?
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 17, 2008 6:45 AM PDT
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I think my neck is safe now.
It’s not like I was really worried, though.
Ill Ligitamus Non Carberendum
by PositivePaul on Jun 16, 2008 8:42 PM PDT 0 recs
Incidentally, the USS Mariner guys are really embarassing themselves regarding Antonetti. Apparently they missed this story back in October, in which the Indians basically said Antonetti will succeed Shapiro, and Antonetti basically took himself off the market. Read it, judge for yourself, and post the link over at USSM if you want.
by Jay on Jun 16, 2008 9:13 PM PDT 0 recs
Common knowledge
Last October does not equal this coming October.
by JI on
Jun 16, 2008 9:47 PM PDT
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Yea
You’re right, we’re totally unaware of that news. We don’t follow baseball. In fact, I’ve never met Antonetti. I don’t have any friends in the Cleveland organization, and I know nothing at all about the inner workings of baseball front offices.
by davidcameron on
Jun 16, 2008 10:35 PM PDT
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I bet he's never even watched a game of baseball in his life!
by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on
Jun 16, 2008 10:43 PM PDT
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He doesn't watch the games.
He just looks at spreadsheets.
by BrianL on
Jun 16, 2008 10:57 PM PDT
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Like a PC

Jl/Robert '08: Promise for a CoachCage tomorrow!
by Fin on
Jun 16, 2008 11:05 PM PDT
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Those commercials make me hate the Mac guy.
Now, whenever I see he’s in a movie, I assume the movie will blow and I’m filled with a fiery rage.
by joof on
Jun 17, 2008 12:00 AM PDT
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Except he was in the best movie ever.
Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
by acblue on
Jun 17, 2008 12:03 AM PDT
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So, says here, your shit's all fucked up.
What I would do, ’s like, psshhh…y’know?
Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
by acblue on
Jun 17, 2008 12:23 AM PDT
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You know, I was really excited for that movie.
Popped it in, and just could not see the humor in it. Maybe I was too drunk. Or not drunk enough. But I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, so I’ll give it another shot.
When I think of most of my favorite movies, I didn’t like them that much on the first viewing.
by Teej on
Jun 17, 2008 12:26 AM PDT
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I like it more each time I see it.
It’s definitely worth another look.
Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
by acblue on
Jun 17, 2008 12:30 AM PDT
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No. I have to agree with Teej. That movie is not worth the time.
Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I know baseball. Yes, I even drink beer.
by NOLAmarinergirl on
Jun 17, 2008 10:10 AM PDT
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by seattlebruin on
Jun 17, 2008 10:22 AM PDT
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Oh yes, I learned of this yesterday.
I’m glad there’s one person with worse movie taste than I.
Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I know baseball. Yes, I even drink beer.
by NOLAmarinergirl on
Jun 17, 2008 10:25 AM PDT
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I've pointed it out before
and I’ll do it again. I don’t enjoy these movies, I watch them to test myself. I hate the majority of movies I watch.
by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on
Jun 17, 2008 10:25 AM PDT
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Just remember, I'm all aboard the "watch crappy movies because Mandy Moore is cute" bandwagon
by seattlebruin on
Jun 17, 2008 10:26 AM PDT
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You do know there are other ways you can see Mandy Moore
without having to resort to 1 1/2 hours of bad movie time.
by Jed MC on
Jun 17, 2008 10:41 AM PDT
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Why is this the only sappy movie guys can admit to enjoying?
Is it because of Mandy Moore?
Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I know baseball. Yes, I even drink beer.
by NOLAmarinergirl on
Jun 17, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
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Mandy Moore, Mandy Moore, Mandy Moore
the movie wasn’t THAT bad…
by seattlebruin on
Jun 17, 2008 10:47 AM PDT
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I'll cop to liking all sorts of sappy movies.
Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
by acblue on
Jun 17, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
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Mr. Skin?
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on
Jun 17, 2008 11:10 AM PDT
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Saved wasn't without it's charm.
Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
by acblue on
Jun 17, 2008 12:56 PM PDT
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Saved was hilarious.
It’s the other cheesy MM movies we’re mocking.
Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I know baseball. Yes, I even drink beer.
by NOLAmarinergirl on
Jun 17, 2008 12:57 PM PDT
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So you're a Mandy Moore loving masochist?
Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I know baseball. Yes, I even drink beer.
by NOLAmarinergirl on
Jun 17, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
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I do the same for Diane Lane.
I saw Under the Tuscan Sun in the theatre.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on
Jun 17, 2008 11:11 AM PDT
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