By Justin Worsley
A day after the regular season ended, three teams are already starting their offseason by looking for a new manager.
The New York Mets confirmed a report on Friday that the team would dismiss both general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel on Monday by releasing them following a 79-83 season. New York finished fourth in the NL East this season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates also parted ways with manager John Russell after the team went 57-105. Pittsburgh has finished in last place all three years under Russell. The Pirates have not had a winning season in 18 years, the longest drought of any professional sport in North America.
Milwaukee Brewers skipper Ken Macha was also let go after two years. The Brewers went 157-167 under Macha's leadership failing to improve upon the team's 90-win season under Ned Yost and Dale Sveum.
Several options are already available for these teams. Two managers are already rumored to be in the running for New York, Joe Torre, who stepped down as the Los Angeles Dodgers manager at the season's end, and former manager Bobby Valentino.
Don Wakamatsu and Fredi Gonzalez are also considered one of the best avaialble managers.
Pittsburgh has finished in last place of the NL Central in five of the last six seasons.
Along with these firings, two other managers have found themselves with contract extensions. Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker has been given an extension through the 2012 season after leading the Reds to their first playoff berth since 1995.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have also removed the interim label off of manager Kirk Gibson, granting him a two-year contract extension as well.
Cincinnati will travel to Philadelphia to play the Phillies on Wednesday night.
No comments:
Post a Comment