Fire Matt Williams! (2015) - Standard Decision.

[Cinqo de Mayo]

If Bryce Harper doesn't win the MVP, will that be on Williams? I'd love to know what Harper thinks of Williams.

[mitlen]

It's hard to believe a closer with 5 or 6 years experience would have trouble with pressure.  But after not being able to throw strikes vs Mets, pressure looks to be the problem.

There's a reason Rizzo went after Soriano and Papelbon.    It wasn't because Williams mis-manages the bullpen (though he does).

[twillia1]

"TOM BOSWELL?  Is this the same Tom Boswell that famously tweeted that the Mets were done on the eve of our disastrous series in NY in the beginning of August?  Gimme a break.  His column on Williams is lazy because he continues to point out our total runs scored stat as if he completely ignores the games.  Our total runs get bloated by all of the 10+ run games we have, that then get followed up with several days of clunkers.  So yes, we get one win in a blowout and then lost the next night 2-1.  It all evens out.  He really needs to examine our situation hitting stats and runs scored in close ball games."

...


I could not agree much more with this post - lazy is the word that comes to mind to me as well.  Boswell should know more than anyone that the "numbers" are the guidepost that fail Williams.  MW is managing by the numbers, with a careful script that is shaped by the silly ratios that resemble the tablet of nonsense that Boswell asks us to consider as some sort of objective evidence.  A manager is supposed to be a leader of men, not greatly different from a military squad leader, with a feel for their personality, capabilities, desire, fears, insecurities, and in the end their suitability for the task at hand.  On this overlooked and essential facet of performance MW fails miserably.  I don't need a bunch of silly metrics, just look at the standings and ask if the team KNOWS that they have disappointed themselves and teammates; they have been led into this hole by the very numbers that Boswell has fallen into love with. 

[Five Banners]

"TOM BOSWELL?  Is this the same Tom Boswell that famously tweeted that the Mets were done on the eve of our disastrous series in NY in the beginning of August?  Gimme a break.  His column on Williams is lazy because he continues to point out our total runs scored stat as if he completely ignores the games.  Our total runs get bloated by all of the 10+ run games we have, that then get followed up with several days of clunkers.  So yes, we get one win in a blowout and then lost the next night 2-1.  It all evens out.  He really needs to examine our situation hitting stats and runs scored in close ball games."

...


I could not agree much more with this post - lazy is the word that comes to mind to me as well.  Boswell should know more than anyone that the "numbers" are the guidepost that fail Williams.  MW is managing by the numbers, with a careful script that is shaped by the silly ratios that resemble the tablet of nonsense that Boswell asks us to consider as some sort of objective evidence.  A manager is supposed to be a leader of men, not greatly different from a military squad leader, with a feel for their personality, capabilities, desire, fears, insecurities, and in the end their suitability for the task at hand.  On this overlooked and essential facet of performance MW fails miserably.  I don't need a bunch of silly metrics, just look at the standings and ask if the team KNOWS that they have disappointed themselves and teammates; they have been led into this hole by the very numbers that Boswell has fallen into love with. 

 Exactly. The numbers used add up mainly as I see it as they fit a possible agenda of a trial balloon from the Lerner's chosen delivery man to justify keeping the Big Intern and not going over budget on the manager slot in 2016 since he has one more year on his deal.   

[Mathguy]

Nice rationalization Banners - but you're reading too much into the motives of the Lerner family without knowing anything.  Your words look to have the philosophy of attacks and name calling when your viewpoint isn't expressed by an expert baseball writer.  You must be a fan of Donald Trump.

Exactly. The numbers used add up mainly as I see it as they fit a possible agenda of a trial balloon from the Lerner's chosen delivery man to justify keeping the Big Intern and not going over budget on the manager slot in 2016 since he has one more year on his deal.   

[mitlen]

Exactly. The numbers used add up mainly as I see it as they fit a possible agenda of a trial balloon from the Lerner's chosen delivery man to justify keeping the Big Intern and not going over budget on the manager slot in 2016 since he has one more year on his deal.   

 

[rileyn]

Exactly. The numbers used add up mainly as I see it as they fit a possible agenda of a trial balloon from the Lerner's chosen delivery man to justify keeping the Big Intern and not going over budget on the manager slot in 2016 since he has one more year on his deal.   

The Big Intern.......LOL!

[Five Banners]

Nice rationalization Banners - but you're reading too much into the motives of the Lerner family without knowing anything.  Your words look to have the philosophy of attacks and name calling when your viewpoint isn't expressed by an expert baseball writer.  You must be a fan of Donald Trump.

Nice deflection Mathguy - but Rosenthal and Boswell read directly into the motives of the Lerner family as far as a fixed budget being the determining factor on what was spent at the trade deadline.  It's hardly a stretch to speculate – – which is exactly how I couched it with the words "as I see it" - - that the same budget factor is a primary concern of ownership and that Boswell essentially conveyed that while using tenuous logic to deflect from the need of a helm change.

As far as name-calling, who was it that opened the discussion on what Boswell wrote by equating everyone on the board calling for a new manager with the term "crybabies"?

[HalfSmokes]

Can't put Storen's psyche on Williams.

Rizzo then?

[Mathguy]

I'll take the responsibility for using the term crybabies, but that's not meant for all who would like to see Williams go - it's meant for those who do nothing but complain and never praise any good performance by the players.

As far as name-calling, who was it that opened the discussion on what Boswell wrote by equating everyone on the board calling for a new manager with the term "crybabies"?

[Five Banners]

I'll take the responsibility for using the term crybabies, but that's not meant for all who would like to see Williams go - it's meant for those who do nothing but complain and never praise any good performance by the players.

Likewise, I honestly wasn't trying to score points with the play on Big Marine; it just sums up for me the frustration with having someone still in learning mode with a team that showed the marks of a contender in the current window. He gets paid no matter what anyone says on the boards.

I just see us on the tip of Caps-like futility if ownership doesn't see the big picture, which an environment as toxic as the current one could be prolonged unnecessarily, which isn't good for the prospects of having Harper and Rendon in the long-term picture.

[welch]

I think pressure will come from Ted Lerner, who was about eight years old when the Nats won the AL pennant in 1933. My hunch is that old Mr. Lerner wants to win. If they keep Williams, I doubt it will be to save money. Note: that's "IF", and nobody really knows what the Lerner family and Rizzo really think.

[skippy1999]

I think pressure will come from Ted Lerner, who was about eight years old when the Nats won the AL pennant in 1933. My hunch is that old Mr. Lerner wants to win. If they keep Williams, I doubt it will be to save money. Note: that's "IF", and nobody really knows what the Lerner family and Rizzo really think.

Judging by Rizzo's quotes this week about Matt being our manager "for this season" and refusing to speculate about next season I think it's safe to say Williams is a goner. 

[varoadking]

Judging by Rizzo's quotes this week about Matt being our manager "for this season" and refusing to speculate about next season I think it's safe to say Williams is a goner.

Just buying time to let the heat subside.  He's fully invested in Williams.

[PC]

Chelsea Janes ‏@chelsea_janes  38m38 minutes ago

Harper on Williams: "I love him as a manager. Flat out. I absolutely do. If I didn't, everybody would know...I'm not shy to say things."

[NatsGirl]

Chelsea Janes ‏@chelsea_janes  38m38 minutes ago

Harper on Williams: "I love him as a manager. Flat out. I absolutely do. If I didn't, everybody would know...I'm not shy to say things."

That's good to hear, I guess.  He did give him a hug in the dugout today, so I figured as much.  I do wonder who the players are that say things anonymously against Williams.   

[imref]

That's good to hear, I guess.  He did give him a hug in the dugout today, so I figured as much.  I do wonder who the players are that say things anonymously against Williams.   

he discussed it with Kolko after the game, he said Williams and he were talking about batting approaches before he hit the last home run.  he praised Williams' hitting advice.

[NatsGirl]

he discussed it with Kolko after the game, he said Williams and he were talking about batting approaches before he hit the last home run.  he praised Williams' hitting advice.

Maybe Matt should be the new hitting coach.  Most of his trouble is with the pitchers. 

[Natsinpwc]

Chances are Bryce is one of the guys who said things about MW--that's why he is trying to make up.  MW needs to be gone.

[skippy1999]

Chelsea Janes ‏@chelsea_janes  38m38 minutes ago

Harper on Williams: "I love him as a manager. Flat out. I absolutely do. If I didn't, everybody would know...I'm not shy to say things."

Yuck, if we have to be subjected to players talking about how much they love Matt Williams for the next two weeks I'm going to be ill  

[mitlen]

Maybe Matt should be the new hitting coach.  Most of his trouble is with the pitchers. 

Makes me wonder (again) what the hell is McCatty's job?      Does Matt listen to him?

[Mathguy]

We better be on Skippy Watch for the next 2 weeks

Yuck, if we have to be subjected to players talking about how much they love Matt Williams for the next two weeks I'm going to be ill  

[Baseball is Life]

Chances are Bryce is one of the guys who said things about MW--that's why he is trying to make up.  MW needs to be gone.

He's saying good things about MW because he wants him gone? You're over analyzing it. Harper likes Williams and has said so numerous times throughout the season how much he's helped him with his hitting approach this year.

[Ray D]

Harper likes Williams and has said so numerous times throughout the season how much he's helped him with his hitting approach this year.

Good. Make Williams the bating coach.

[shoeshineboy]

Bryce gave MW a lot of credit for his improved approach at the plate and has said he loves playing for Williams. I still don't know how McCatty still has a job, and roster construction has been an issue for a while.

At this point, while I see the justification for firing Williams, I would be shocked if they do it. It seems more likely he will stay and injuries will be blamed. They will then need to make changes to the roster, fix the pen, and shake up the coaching staff. Then they can have more pressure on MW and dump him early if things go south early.