Fire Lou

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=99808:date=Jun 3 2010, 09:48 PM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Jun 3 2010, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=99791:date=Jun 3 2010, 06:02 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Jun 3 2010, 06:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Rob Neyer of ESPN was talking about the D-Backs managerial situation today, and it sounded like it came directly from this thread. I think the thoughts are somewhat universal:

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->The biggest problem is the bullpen ... which is good news! Because the easiest thing to fix is the bullpen. Even if the Diamondbacks do nothing, the bullpen will improve. (because bullpen pitchers fluctuate up and down so much) Unfortunately, there aren't any other quick fixes available, as the Diamondbacks' Triple-A roster seems bereft of power arms.

Well, there's one quick fix (maybe): Fire the manager!

I don't type those words lightly. A.J. Hinch seems like an intelligent fellow, and I'm not blaming the Diamondbacks' struggles this season or last on him. But Kendrick (the GM) goes out of his way to absolve Hinch, which seems odd considering that <b>if the manager has a great deal of power over one thing on the club, it's probably the bullpen</b>. He might not choose the relievers he's got, but he does decide how they're used. Isn't it fair to suggest that<b> a different manager</b> might be getting more out of his relievers than Hinch has gotten?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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So it doesn't bother you at all that the Neyer's first paragraph and his last paragraph completely contradict each other? If they don't do anything the bullpen will get better because bullpen pitchers are all over the place. But the one thing managers can control are the bullpen pitchers.

I like Neyer, but that doesn't make a lick of sense.
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The final paragraph seems to be more hypothetical than anything. You have to admit that managers vary greatly as far as managing their pens, but unless all of their relievers suck or all are effective, then a manager can actually have a great deal of impact on how a pen performs overall. In our case, the pen has been a mixed bag, but Lou should have some idea as to who he can count on and who he cannot.