Let 25 pages of debate over Davey starting Matt Stairs on his first night as skipper commence! Here are my thoughts: While I have been demanding Stairs' unconditional release for two months, I don't have a problem with Johnson finding out once and for all whether this guy can still play baseball. Start him as DH against righties and if he doesn't produce, release him IMMEDIATELY.
Gave this quite a bit of thought on my commute home tonight, and I am in full agreement. While releasing Stairs immediately would not cause me undue duress, I can see that Johnson may well have compelling reason to give everyone a bit of a fresh start before making the personnel decisions that are sure to happen. All the players are watching closely, and how he handles this transition period is going to make lasting impression on them.
