Oct. 20, 1984
Was in New York for a meeting with our new commissioner, who said we shouldn’t be thrifty with player contracts. This is an opportunity, he said, to grow the game in groundbreaking new ways. “Don’t hold back the talent.”
(A little different from what really happened around this time; collusion isn’t happening here.)
***
Time to get the managerial search going. If I had a favorite kind of candidate, it would be: neutral vets-prospects/neutral pitching-hitting/speed over power/defense over offense/OBP over AVG. I can give or take in either direction, though. I want my organization to take advantage of speed and defense (considering we have the former and have to improve on the latter).
Top candidates:
- Dick Howser - 48 - neutral/neutral/power/offense/OBP
- Mike Garcia - 44 - veterans/pitching/speed/offense/neutral
- Kevin Campbell - 47 - neutral/hitting/power/defense/OBP
- Andy Cornejo - 50 - prospects/neutral/neutral/neutral/neutral
- Jeremy Eig - 47 - neutral/neutral/neutral/offense/OBP
- Francisco Martinez - 56 - prospects/hitting/power/defense/OBP
- Juan Mireles - 50 - prospects/pitching/neutral/neutral/AVG
- Ben Tubbs - 48 - veterans/hitting/neutral/neutral/OBP
- Frank Robinson - 49 - prospects/hitting/offense/power/OBP
- Jose Vasquez - 46 - prospects/neutral/speed/offense/OBP
- Kirk Veal - 57 - neutral/pitching/speed/offense/AVG
Of this group, here’s who I like:
Dick Howser - 48 - neutral/neutral/power/offense/OBP
The former Royals skipper who had a .526 winning percentage with Kansas City but wasn't able to get his squad over the hump. He loves power, but he also loves speed. He won’t let me do much tinkering, though I’m OK with that if he produces. He would be good for the clubhouse, except apparently for Mike Schmidt. Weird. Maybe he’s just too much a veteran manager for Schmidty.
Mike Garcia - 44 - veterans/pitching/speed/offense/neutral
The manager of the 103-41 Miami Marlins of the Florida State League, Garcia is a hot name. He can be a bit of a disciplinarian, and while he likes speed, he doesn’t ask for steals too much. He’d rub my hitters the wrong way; not sure if that’s the best idea.
Kevin Campbell - 47 - neutral/hitting/power/defense/OBP
The Braves’ bench coach is apparently not great as a tactician. He’ll hook pitchers quickly, which means I’ll need a heck of a bullpen for him. He’s also aggressive on the basepaths, which I like. He wouldn’t have a good influence on players, but he would get along with just about everyone, sans veteran pitchers (who, again, he’d hook).
Francisco Martinez - 56 - prospects/hitting/power/defense/OBP
The bench coach of the Blue Jays, Martinez is fiery and makes a lot of moves. He likes to steal bags and loves defense. He wouldn’t be a good influence for players, as he’s more of a no-frills guy, and he wouldn’t get along as well with my veteran pitchers. But he’d be great to keep the kids in line.
Frank Robinson - 49 - prospects/hitting/offense/power/OBP
Long-time skipper with the Giants and Indians hasn’t had much success, but he’s really friendly and would let us do whatever we want with the club. He’d have a good relationship with everyone (in fact, excellent). He’d basically be an extension of our front office (since he'd let us do whatever we want), which is intriguing.
Jose Vasquez - 46 - prospects/neutral/speed/offense/OBP
Finally, the Red Sox’ bench coach is more a players’ manager. He loves offense, will steal some, and is more a prospects guy. He wouldn’t have an influence on players, but he’d get along with our younger pitchers, especially.
Now, I like Howser, obviously, plus Martinez and, as a third choice, Robinson. We've heard that Howser is demanding more than $330K, while Martinez wants very little (it seems $40K or so), and Robinson wants $150K or so. The Howser demand seems too high, but let’s bring him in for an interview and see if I can get him for fewer than $300K. If not, I may pivot to Robinson, who I know would just work with me.
Oct. 21, 1984
Time to interview my candidates.
Oct. 22, 1984
Howser and Vazquez came in yesterday for managerial interviews. Today it’s Robinson and Campbell.
Oct. 23, 1984
Managerial interviews today with Martinez and Garcia.
Amid the interviews, a phone call today from Von Hayes’ agent: Hayes is on board! Four years and $2.1M total. Welcome in, Von. Good to have you until 1988.
Oct. 24, 1984
We announce the Hayes extension with a press conference, and that goes over well with everyone. Also, we win no Gold Glove awards.
***
After a bunch of afternoon meetings, we feel Dick Howser is a step above the competition, but I still want him at less than $300K per season. In speaking with his agent, I offer him $285K per season for three years and give him a couple weeks to mull it over.
***
Meantime, new offers to arb-eligible players:
- 1B Len Matuszek - $108,000 (considering)
- RF Joe Lefebvre -$108,000 (considering)
Dave Stegman is out right now, and looks to want to go to arbitration. Matuszek and Lefebvre are considering my final offers; honestly, these two guys are backup plans right now.