Fire Blake Butera!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yes, the lack of MLB managing, or really any managing above low A, is the big resume gap. That said, the development side is very strong, and communicating data to players in a way that they can use it is another. They need that. It's better than a 60 year old who only humors the POBO about these new fangled things.

[Slateman]

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

That's kind of the point. This signing is a pretty clear indicator they intend to be a train wreck in the near future, and a cheap "moneyball" team long term.

[Slateman]

Yes, the lack of MLB managing, or really any managing above low A, is the big resume gap. That said, the development side is very strong, and communicating data to players in a way that they can use it is another. They need that. It's better than a 60 year old who only humors the POBO about these new fangled things.

Its not just MLB managing. Its MLB ecperience at all. He hasn't played, coached, or managed beyond Single A.

[varoadking]

Davey Martinez was a shrewd strategist who honed his skills as a MLB coach.

 

[imref]

Its not just MLB managing. Its MLB ecperience at all. He hasn't played, coached, or managed beyond Single A.

Did some digging. A few others I can find who had never coached or played at the major league level:
- Joe McCarty in the 1920's (won 7 WS's)
- Earl Weaver
- Jim Riggleman
- Jim Tracy
- Buck Showalter

[HalfSmokes]

Did some digging. A few others I can find who had never coached or played at the major league level:
- Joe McCarty in the 1920's (won 7 WS's)
- Earl Weaver
- Jim Riggleman
- Jim Tracy
- Buck Showalter

Showalter managed in the minors and coached for the yankees. Can you find anyone who never managed above a ball?

[Slateman]

Did some digging. A few others I can find who had never coached or played at the major league level:
- Joe McCarty in the 1920's (won 7 WS's)
- Earl Weaver
- Jim Riggleman
- Jim Tracy
- Buck Showalter

All of them played or managed above low A ball.

Also, Earl Weaver was the Orioles 1B coach before becoming the manager.

Riggleman was a garbage manager that had time managing at Triple A

Tracy was a major leaguer with the Cubs.

Showalter was on the Yankees coaching staff before becoming their manager in 92.

[imref]

I need to stop trusting ChatGPT.

Yes, Tracy played parts of two seasons iwth the Cubs.  You are right about Showalter, joined the staff in 90.

[OfftheBat]

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.

Yes but I'm pretty sure Butera played almost no part in that, unless I'm missing something here.

[Natsinpwc]

Yes but I'm pretty sure Butera played almost no part in that, unless I'm missing something here.

I’m just saying that we hired someone from a solid organization.  Others here apparently think the Rays are as bad as the Nats have been.  Whatever.  This dude has been working for people responsible for that playoff run. I will take it over some retread MLB manager.

[Slateman]

I’m just saying that we hired someone from a solid organization.  Others here apparently think the Rays are as bad as the Nats have been.  Whatever.  This dude has been working for people responsible for that playoff run. I will take it over some retread MLB manager.

I would rather be what the Nats have been the last 5 years then what the Rays have always been and will always be.

[Smithian]

Solid board during the season but these place has gone to crap during offseasons. Nothing but nagging.

[IanRubbish]

Solid board during the season but these place has gone to crap during offseasons. Nothing but nagging.

Expected more sunshine from you.  Especially when we can celebrate no more Rizzo, Davey, Cairo, Hickey, or Coles. 

[English Natsie]

Nothing but nagging.

[OfftheBat]

Solid board during the season but these place has gone to crap during offseasons. Nothing but nagging.

Can you blame us... this organization's ownership is not serious about winning.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The hopelessness and criticism of every move is a bit boring.

[tomterp]

The hopelessness and criticism of every move is a bit boring.

And ridiculous in some ways.  Let me see if I can get the contrary argument right. 

If we hire a staff, from POBO down, that are likely to significantly improve drafting, player development scouting, roster composition, player discipline and motivation, etc., this is bad, because it evidences a lack of owner willingness to spend.

So, much better to hire middling retreads cause that means at some point ownership will spend.       

And thanks to NatsinPWC for pointing out the simple math of 40% x 40% x 40% x 40% x 40%  = 1%.   That's a remarkable achievement and we all know that in a playoff series anyone can win.  Getting that shot every year is what you build teams for (unless you are the Dodgers).

[blue911]

Maybe if they weren’t now changing their rebuild to a method they have proven beyond doubt they are incapable of, they would receive more support.

At this point they have nothing to hang their hat on. Just more promises. I wouldn’t trust this group to do anything right. Not a thing, maybe the new guys turn it around. But when the main problem is ownership there isn’t much room for optimism

[Kevrock]

I’m a doomer but I like the hire.

[Slateman]

And ridiculous in some ways.  Let me see if I can get the contrary argument right. 

If we hire a staff, from POBO down, that are likely to significantly improve drafting, player development scouting, roster composition, player discipline and motivation, etc., this is bad, because it evidences a lack of owner willingness to spend.

So, much better to hire middling retreads cause that means at some point ownership will spend.       

And thanks to NatsinPWC for pointing out the simple math of 40% x 40% x 40% x 40% x 40%  = 1%.   That's a remarkable achievement and we all know that in a playoff series anyone can win.  Getting that shot every year is what you build teams for (unless you are the Dodgers).

If that's what we were doing, then no one would be disappointed right now. But its obvious that that is not the case. We are not building a team to get a shot at a World Series every year. We are simply building a team to get to/slightly above .500, so that ownership can maximize profits with a small market payroll.

And no, anyone can not win a playoff series. That's literally not how the playoffs work. This isn't football. The best team usually prevails. That's why the Dodgers have done what they have done the last 5 years. Same for the Astros the last decade. And its why teams like the Rays, Guardians, and Brewers are constantly one and done in the playoffs. Building a team for deep postseason run isn't the same as building a team that wins .500+ games.

Butera represents two things:

1. The rebuild is starting over. Despite having an immensely profitable team in a top 10 media market, ownership has zero interest in spending money to build a WS caliber team, or even a competitive one. This team will not sniff a postseason birth until Toboni can completely revamp the farm/organization. Which, given how long player development takes, is likely 3-5 years.

2. We will never see a top 10 payroll under this ownership group. We will be built like the Rays/Brewers who only seek to win in order to keep attendance up, thus generating more revenue for ownership.

Sorry if I'm not super excited about being a cheaply run franchise that doesn't care about postseason success.

[Count Walewski]

And no, anyone can not win a playoff series. That's literally not how the playoffs work.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

[Slateman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

Oh look, the number 4 overall payroll won the world series.

[English Natsie]

I suppose the real issue is uncertainty - we have a new GM, manager and coaching staff, none of whom will have put in any serious work with the playing staff, who are also likely to change following HS Season. So, maybe, we need to allow everyone room to develop, and show what they can do. Unfortunately, for the Nats, the human psyche really dislikes uncertainty, and will perform astonishing feats of mental gymnastics to arrive at judgement - this is why time is one thing that is always in short supply for sports coaches and players; we want to know now!

I suspect that many of us, in our working lives were, at some point, the bright young prospect that the older staffers distrusted as inexperienced - so remember how that felt, and let's give Blake a chance to show his stuff.

[Slateman]

I suppose the real issue is uncertainty - we have a new GM, manager and coaching staff, none of whom will have put in any serious work with the playing staff, who are also likely to change following HS Season. So, maybe, we need to allow everyone room to develop, and show what they can do. Unfortunately, for the Nats, the human psyche really dislikes uncertainty, and will perform astonishing feats of mental gymnastics to arrive at judgement - this is why time is one thing that is always in short supply for sports coaches and players; we want to know now!

I suspect that many of us, in our working lives were, at some point, the bright young prospect that the older staffers distrusted as inexperienced - so remember how that felt, and let's give Blake a chance to show his stuff.

We now have plenty of time.

[Smithian]

If that's what we were doing, then no one would be disappointed right now. But its obvious that that is not the case. We are not building a team to get a shot at a World Series every year. We are simply building a team to get to/slightly above .500, so that ownership can maximize profits with a small market payroll.

And no, anyone can not win a playoff series. That's literally not how the playoffs work. This isn't football. The best team usually prevails. That's why the Dodgers have done what they have done the last 5 years. Same for the Astros the last decade. And its why teams like the Rays, Guardians, and Brewers are constantly one and done in the playoffs. Building a team for deep postseason run isn't the same as building a team that wins .500+ games.

Butera represents two things:

1. The rebuild is starting over. Despite having an immensely profitable team in a top 10 media market, ownership has zero interest in spending money to build a WS caliber team, or even a competitive one. This team will not sniff a postseason birth until Toboni can completely revamp the farm/organization. Which, given how long player development takes, is likely 3-5 years.

2. We will never see a top 10 payroll under this ownership group. We will be built like the Rays/Brewers who only seek to win in order to keep attendance up, thus generating more revenue for ownership.

Sorry if I'm not super excited about being a cheaply run franchise that doesn't care about postseason success.

I think we knew that when Rizzo and Martinez were fired for its failure. I am glad ownership belatedly recognizing reality and doing the right thing.