Manager Notes: Yost Out, Matheny In? Alou for the Padres? Manager Pay Going Way Down?
Like we said this weekend, the impending free agency of Joe Maddon – and Cubs uncertainty attached thereto – means we’ve kinda gotta keep a close eye on the entire managerial world, not only because the vacancies could create a desirable option for Maddon, but also because those teams could wind up managerial competitors of the Cubs.
To that end, one more job has officially opened up, joining the Padres and Giants:
BREAKING: Ned Yost announces his retirement as @Royals manager. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 23, 2019
The Royals’ gig will involve steering the ship through a small-market rebuild, which could be intriguing in its own way, but it seems the Royals may already have their next manager in place:
Mike Matheny, special advisor to #Royals in player development, is viewed as a strong candidate to manage in Kansas City next year, following Ned Yost's retirement today — although the ownership change introduces some uncertainty to process. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 23, 2019
Mike Matheny had some great years with the Cardinals, and if he’s already tapped in with player development, that could make a lot of sense on a young, rebuilding club. Is he a *great* manager, though? Meh. Then again, I’m not sure Ned Yost was a *great* manager either, and he had plenty of success.
Elsewhere, and more from Jon Morosi, there’s a rumor flying that the Padres might also have a preferred target:
Moises Alou is viewed as a strong candidate to be next #Padres manager, if he wants the job. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 21, 2019
Alou, a former Cub, is currently a special assistant in the Padres’ front office on the development side, which has been a frequent route for recent managerial hires. Alou, 53, has been in the Padres’ front office for four years now, and also has experience managing in the Dominican Republic.
Interestingly, Mark Loretta, now the Cubs’ bench coach, was also in the Padres’ front office for a very long time before joining the Cubs in a coaching capacity. You have to presume he would at least be under consideration for the gig if he’s interested and if the relationship is still strong. Indeed, it’s plausible that he would be under consideration for the Cubs’ managerial gig, too, if it opens up.
That Padres job is going to be mighty, mighty attractive, given the city and the young talent.
Meanwhile, an interesting tidbit on the Marlins’ extension of Don Mattingly:
Sources: Don Mattingly took significant pay cut in contract extension with #Marlins. Story: https://t.co/ZuQIf8fINo
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 22, 2019
Mattingly, who has been with the Marlins since the 2016 season, was reportedly making $2.8 million, and that was the sixth-highest mark in baseball. Maddon makes $6 million, which is the highest, tied with Bruce Bochy, who is retiring.
To re-sign, Mattingly had to agree to a figure potentially below $2 million, reflecting the state of the managerial market. Namely, teams simply don’t pay for super-managers right now. How could that impact negotiations between the Cubs and Maddon if they wanted to re-up? It’s extremely hard to see a situation where Maddon agrees to a significant pay cut, but it’s also hard to see the Cubs paying upwards of six times the market rate for a manager unless they really, really, REALLY wanted Maddon to stick around.
No, salary isn’t going to be the primary factor in a managerial decision, but let’s not be naive: a $4-5 million difference in a manager’s pay is not going to be entirely unconsidered.
