Fire Blake Butera!

[HalfSmokes]

Don't we have enough "ownership is cheap" threads?

Not really. It pervades everything the team does and invites skepticism of every move.

[Slateman]

My sense is that, absent a sale of the team, the only way the budget goes up to push beyond the Rays/Brewers/Guardians approach to constructing a team is when the Nats get to that level first. If Toboni and Butera get Crews, Wood, etc... up to that level, then there may be a chance they'll put money in.

Don't think they will. Those teams dont. Lerners can duplicate it, keep ticket prices high, and rake in the profits.

[varoadking]

Nussbaum and Golden are posting about what they are hearing so far about the hire:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Nationals/comments/1ok6hab/we_cover_the_nats_heres_what_were_hearing_about/

"Diverse roster?"     They all suck...

[HalfSmokes]

"Diverse roster?"     They all suck...

Old cheap guys and young cheap guys.

[bluestreak]

Butera is young? Bucky Harris was 27 when Clark Griffith made him manager of the Nationals in 1924. That World Series, he out-managed the great John McGraw, bamboozling McGraw by starting a right-hander in Game 7, causing McGraw to start a LH future Hall of Famer, Bill Terry, while having a southpaw worm up under the Griffith Stadium grandstand. When McGraw replaced Terry with a right-handed huitter, Bucky countered with a pair of right-handers. The final righty was Walter Johnson, just as a later Nats manager had one of his startinh pitchers throw relief in Game 7.

Nothing wrong with a young manager.

Seriously, 1924? What was the life expectancy back then. 27 may have been middle aged.

[rileyn]

Bizarro World Nats.  Might as well go all in on doing a 180 degree change from Rizzo, Martinez, etc..,

[imref]

Butera hiring is official, and he and his wife welcomed their first child yesterday as well. Quite the week for him and his family.

[IanRubbish]

Bizarro World Nats.  Might as well go all in on doing a 180 degree change from Rizzo, Martinez, etc..,

Exactly what needed to happen.

Not clear if Butera is just within the range of Toboni's candidates who fit Mini Me's modest managerial budget, but a complete change of direction is welcome.

I doubt this team can do anything to top 75-80 wins next year, but clean baseball with proper base running, defense, and lineups will make them a lot easier to watch than any of the other teams they've trotted out since '19.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I doubt this team can do anything to top 75-80 wins next year, but clean baseball with proper base running, defense, and lineups will make them a lot easier to watch than any of the other teams they've trotted out since '19.

I would  not mind  if the poor baserunning drinking game no longer gave you at least a buzz 100+ times a year. If  Young is here next to Crews, I'd love it if they threw to the right base too.

[skippy1999]

Davey Johnson knew how to hammer out horseshoes

LOLOL between the thread title and you Ali this site never disappoints!! I know nothing of this guy but am thrilled to see a fresh new face-here's to a new, hopefully winning vibe!!

[imref]

[para]

I was hoping the team would pick a young guy with more experience.  Financial constraints aside. He will be dealing with a bunch of new kids that have to buy into whatever system he uses. It remains to be seen if they will rally behind a guy with no proven track record as a manager of any team. I also hope this isn't setting us up for another rebuilding 5 year plan while dumping young to near prime players for financial reasons and starting over again. Others have already stated, any change has to be better than the rut they are in. I also hoped they would trade or sign and old #1 starter, fill a couple of holes and make a run this year. Not feeling 26 will be the breakout year. I've been wrong a lot but last year was the year of the prospects. We will see some sophomore slumps and continued development and forward progress from others. Time will tell. Slim to no chance of playoff run though.

[OfftheBat]

If the intention is to run this team like the Rays, then Im gonna drop the team. No point in rooting for a team that has no interest in postseason success.

Agreed, they make it hard for us to root for them... not too happy with this signing, IMO... this kid is only 33, what does he know about managing an MLB Club. Seems like another Lerner cheap signing.

[blue911]

If the intention is to run this team like the Rays, then Im gonna drop the team. No point in rooting for a team that has no interest in postseason success.

I think that’s ownership not the player development staff.

Edit: but I agree with the sentiment. The Rays attendance says we aren’t alone.

[HalfSmokes]

Agreed, they make it hard for us to root for them... not too happy with this signing, IMO... this kid is only 33, what does he know about managing an MLB Club. Seems like another Lerner cheap signing.

I’ll wait to see what the post lockout CBA looks like

[Count Walewski]

Agreed, they make it hard for us to root for them... not too happy with this signing, IMO... this kid is only 33, what does he know about managing an MLB Club. Seems like another Lerner cheap signing.

The Rays reached the postseason in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. They won the pennant in 2020. This level of success would be a huge improvement.

[HalfSmokes]

The Rays reached the postseason in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. They won the pennant in 2020. This level of success would be a huge improvement.

40% of teams make the playoffs. Making them on a regular basis should not be considered a success

[Natsinpwc]

40% of teams make the playoffs. Making them on a regular basis should not be considered a success

It is when you’re on one of the lowest budgets in the league and little fan support. 

If a title is the only measure the Yanks and Phillies are a failure the last 15 years.  The big crowds that show up at their games probably disagree.   I think most of us would be happy for some playoff baseball. 

[HalfSmokes]

It is when you’re on one of the lowest budgets in the league and little fan support. 

If a title is the only measure the Yanks and Phillies are a failure the last 15 years.  The big crowds that show up at their games probably disagree.   I think most of us would be happy for some playoff baseball. 

If the team had low ticket and concession prices, that would be a great argument. When going to a game is among the most expensive in the league, fans should demand more than low budget success

[Natsinpwc]

12/30 make the playoffs for 40 percent.  So .4 x .4 x .4 x .4 x .4 equals a one percent chance of making the playoffs five straight years.  I mean the Nats never did it even with a good run of success.

[Natsinpwc]

I mean we hired a guy from a well run organization and everyone is unhappy. Should have hired Gabe Kapler so we had a guy with experience who looks the part.

Of course ownership will be a limitation if they don’t spend money.  But after Old school Rizzo and Martinez this is a good hire.

[Slateman]

I mean we hired a guy from a well run organization and everyone is unhappy. Should have hired Gabe Kapler so we had a guy with experience who looks the part.

Of course ownership will be a limitation if they don’t spend money.  But after Old school Rizzo and Martinez this is a good hire.

We hired someone with no big league managing, coaching, or playing experience. Its indicative of an organization that has no intention of being a .500+  in the next 2-3 years, and will never contend for a World Series as long as we are playing with a small market team's budget.

My question is why is anyone happy about this?

[Natsinpwc]

I don’t see how major league playing experience is relevant.  Some of best managers over the years had no MLB playing experience. I suppose some MLB coaching experience would help.  I mean Davey Martinez was a shrewd strategist who honed his skills as a MLB coach.  Everyone gets a first managerial job.  Let’s see how he does and how the guys respond to him. 

[HalfSmokes]

I don’t see how major league playing experience is relevant.  Some of best managers over the years had no MLB playing experience. I suppose some MLB coaching experience would help.  I mean Davey Martinez was a shrewd strategist who honed his skills as a MLB coach.  Everyone gets a first managerial job.  Let’s see how he does and how the guys respond to him. 

Some relevant experience would be nice. The selling point are limited to Rays and young which just translates as willing to work for cheap

[blue911]

Some relevant experience would be nice. The selling point are limited to Rays and young which just translates as willing to work for cheap

Sure it would. Who? Name one grand poobah that would sign on to this train wreck.