Trick with managing guys like Harper and Desmond is to understand their mentality and put them in a position where their pluses help you and their minuses are mitigated. Proper spots in the batting order, holds on the basepaths when they are likely to be too aggressive, talking to them regularly, etc... People skills. Francona developed this and could get the max out of guys with 10 cent heads like Manny for many years. I think Buck does it too. Delmon Young has been slotted in very successfully, he's figured out how to cover for some bad defensive players, and he puts guys like Ryan Flaherty, Travis Snider, Steve Pearce, Brad Brach, Zach Britton, Jim Johnson, in places where they can succeed.