:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51183083/usa-today-8838495.0.jpg)
The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter or @MLBDailyDish on Instagram.
Good morning baseball fans! Did anyone else think yesterday was super weird without any baseball games being played? Is this MLB’s way of preparing us for the winter? I’m not ready, I need more time.
Here’s a roundup of the party that is the American League East.
In yesterday morning’s Daily Dish, we asked what team you guys thought would make the newest changes in management. Well, I guess the Marlins and Diamondbacks read this with their breakfast too, because both teams have just made major moves regarding their coaching staff.
The Diamondbacks have fired both manager Chip Hale and general manager Dave Stewart.
“As Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported in August, Stewart and La Russa considered firing Hale earlier in the summer before ownership blocked the move and hold off on decisions until after the season. Triple-A manager Phil Nevin has long been considered a strong candidate to replace Hale, though it is unclear if Nevin is the favorite at this point.
The Diamondbacks have undergone five GM changes and four managerial changes since the 2004 season, establishing themselves as the pinnacle of instability within the majors. Both Stewart and Hale joined the organization before the 2015 season.”
If Hale and Stewart are looking for a friend during this time, they should give Barry Bonds a call, I’m sure he could use one too after being fired from the Marlins.
“As a hitting coach, Bonds did not appear to make a huge difference in the team’s offense. In 2016, the Marlins hit a collective .263/.322/.394 with a .309 wOBA and a 91 wRC+. When you look at the 2015 stats, where the Marlins hit a collective .260/.310/.384 with a .302 wOBA and a 89 wRC+.
The individual numbers look different: 655 runs in 2016 compared to 613 in 2015; 128 home runs compared to 120. This then brings up the question of, how much did Bonds actually do as a hitting coach?, as opposed to, how much do people think he did as a hitting coach?
It’s no secret that, steroid or no steroids, Bonds was one of the best hitters in this generation of baseball. But, that doesn’t necessarily translate to the idea that he will be a good coach.”
The bloodbath didn’t end there, and the Diamondbacks announced that Tony La Russa will no longer be in charge of baseball operations.
According to Jon Heyman, the Diamondbacks’ exorcism isn’t finished. While the exact future of Tony La Russa is still awaiting a final conclusion, it appears he will no longer be in charge of Arizona’s baseball operations.
Heyman goes on to note that La Russa and owner Ken Kendrick spoke for three hours on Monday morning, and that the former Chief Baseball Officer is “still deciding whether to stay at all.”
While we don’t know what La Russa will ultimately choose, it would be somewhat surprising to see him stay given his comments during a radio interview less than two weeks ago. When asked if he could see himself remaining with the organization if Dave Stewart was let go, La Russa wasn’t optimistic.
But wait—there’s more! Walt Weiss resigned as the Rockies manager.
“Rockies manager Walt Weiss has resigned after four seasons, according to an announcement from the team. Weiss was widely expected to leave the organization, as his 3-year contract expired at the end of the season.
Weiss, 52, went 283-365 in four seasons at the helm of the Rockies after replacing Jim Tracy before the 2013 season. The former All-Star shortstop was said to have trouble getting along with general manager Jeff Bridich, and told FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal on Monday that the strained relationship played a major role in his decision...”
So what do all these these firings teach us? That nothing good happens when baseball isn’t being played.
Important Links:
Are all these managerial changes making you head spin? Don’t worry, we put them all in one place for you.
Everyone wants to be famous, right? While we can’t guarantee you a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we can offer a consolation prize: a feature on our Instagram, @MLBDailyDish. Send us your best stadium shots and you could be chosen as our next Field Crush Friday.
Today in baseball history: On October 4th, 2010, a day three managers are fired, the Reds give their skipper, Dusty Baker, a two-year contract extension through 2014. It’ll be Cincinnati’s first playoff appearance in 15 years.