Zach Hayes has been placed on the disabled list with a left shoulder subluxation, according to general manager Theo Epstein. “Hayes has been a valued member of our rotation since 2005,” Epstein said in a press release. “He has been incredibly durable in his years at Fire Brand, but we couldn’t expect him to stay healthy forever.” Speculation is growing that Hayes is not hurt at all and is rather holding out from a raise of $0 over two years to $0 and a candy bar over three years. He is expected back from the DL at the end of March. Called up from the minors is Bottomline Rob! —Evan
Last season Joe Torre managed the New York Yankees to a second place finish in the AL East and a series loss to the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs. He made $7.5 million. The Yankees chose to move on after the 2007 season and Torre signed a three-year, $13 million deal with the LA Dodgers.
The Detroit Tigers won 88 games and missed the playoffs after losing to the Cardinals in the 2006 World Series in 2006. Manager Jim Leyland was handed a one-year, $4 million extension in early October.
After managing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 200-485 (.412 W%) over three seasons, Lou Pinella earned a three-year, $10 million deal with the Cubs.
Red Sox Manager Terry Francona has won two World Series Championships in four years. In 2007 he led his team to their first AL East Championship, over the Yankees, in 9 seasons. His record in Boston is 375-273 (.578 W%). He made $1.65 million last year (not including incentives).
Tito is set to make $1.75 million in 2008, as part of the two-year extension he got in 2006. Ownership sat down with Francona on Monday night to discuss a new contract extension.
The Globe’s Gordon Edes says Francona has the leverage to at least double his current salary.
Others, like blogger Fragile Freddy, speculate that the manager’s health concerns may have the Sox wondering how many years Tito has left in the tank”∂
Still others, like this comment from Dave B. back on Jan. 21, think that Francona is simply enjoying the spoils of coaching a talented squad of players and a seemingly endless payroll.
So what will the Red Sox do? I’ll tell you what they should do. Pay the man. But don’t pull that crap you pulled on Youk (offering $2.25M). Make him the highest-paid manager in the game.
Francona the perfect fit for the Boston Red Sox. His ability to handle the media pressure cooker that is Red Sox Nation is unprecedented. He handles quirky, high-priced talent like Manny Ramirez and rookies in high-pressure situations like Buchholz with equal poise and respect.
If you can fault him for anything, it’s his loyalty to his players. Maybe he stuck with Kevin Millar a little too long few years back. And maybe he relies of Javier “˙the lefty specialist”˘ Lopez too much. But it’s that loyalty that attracts players.
Bottomline: Tito should get $13 for 3 years or better.
That means $4M per year and more than doubles his current base and gives him the respect he deserves.
Click here to read more from Rob at The Bottomline.
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You all know my stance on Francona.
I don’t think we need to make him the highest-paid manager, but only because he won’t demand that. He is absolutely looking for a healthy raise, though, so he can set himself up financially and his family financially in his later years, which unfortunately at this point look to be a problem for him health-wise. I don’t begrudge him looking to get money.
We should pony up.
In other news, David Aardsma won our poll to be the 12th man in the bullpen.
(He beat out Kyle Snyder by one vote.)
I don’t really think Tito is a bad manager. I believe that he is great with the media and the players and bad during games. Ultimately, the former is more important. I just feel like people overrate his value. Teams win because of the players and the GMs. The managers job is to not mess it up. Tito does a fine job at that. If the Sox want to pay him $5 then go for it. As long as his salary doesn’t effect a future signing for trade then do whatever.
Thanks for the plug guys!
To clarify slightly, my opinion is not that the Sox have concerns about Tito’s health, it’s more a theory (and that’s all it is) that Francona has told the Sox that he’s going to “play out” his contract and then retire due largely to the health concerns. Because of this the Sox have worked a deal with Farrell where he becomes manager in 2009.
I have no basis for this other than enough free time to come up with conspiracy theories. It would explain why Farrell didn’t pursue any of the managerial jobs that seemed to be within his grasp this off-season.
And count me as a big Francona supporter. I think he’s an excellent manager for this team.
Thanks for checking in guys. And thanks for clarifying your stances. It will be interesting to see how this plays out…
Bottomline: I’m glad we all agree, in the end, that Tito deserves a raise.
Thanks for the chance to contribute Evan!
Good work, Rob, on an important topic. I agree. Don’t Youk him around. Pay the man. Let the salary properlyl reflect the success of this team, and this manager.
The fact that John O’Farrell (Sorry, lad. Practicing for 3/17 when the Sox play the Yankees at Legends. Can’t wait to see the kids in action.) is even considered for managerial jobs underscores Tito’s style . . . get good coaches (and players) and empower them. This is good management for a manager.