Theo takes over in Chicago, Red Sox promote Cherington, Angels search
APCubs owner Tom Ricketts, right, has put his team's future in the hands of Theo Epstein.
BASEBALL EXPERT MAILBAG
By Tony DeMarco
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 4:50 p.m. ET Oct. 26, 2011
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Q: I've never seen so many general manager positions open. Even seemingly solid GMs like Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer were added to the mix. With all these front office shakeups, what's going to be the effect on the field in 2012 and beyond?
? Anthony, Chula Vista, Calif.
A: Probably the biggest difference will be in the Chicago Cubs, where Epstein has landed as president, and is expected to add Hoyer as general manager.
Epstein will meet soon with Mike Quade, who has one year left on his contract, so a change at manager isn't the slam-dunk people may be thinking, with Terry Francona available and Ryne Sandberg another obvious candidate.
But as has been written here several times over the past year, the Cubs roster needs to be blown up. They're stuck with Alfonso Soriano for three more years at $19 million-per, and unless they can work something out, they owe Carlos Zambrano $19 million.
But there is about $35 million in payroll wiggle room with Kosuke Fukudome being dealt away in July, and Carlos Pena and Aramis Ramirez becoming free agents. Ryan Dempster also has a $14-million player option, and could opt out three days after the World Series.
Everybody expects Prince Fielder to be a free-agent target of the Cubs, and they also need a third baseman, a right fielder and at least one starting pitcher. So Epstein and Co. have their work cut out for them, and this likely will be a multi-year proposition.As for the other GM changes, Ben Cherington got promoted from assistant GM in Boston, and I don't believe he will veer far from the Red Sox's current model that has won them two World Series in the last eight seasons.
The first key decision will be naming a new manager. Blue Jays manager/former Red Sox coach John Farrell is off-limits, as the Jays aren't granting permission for teams to speak with him. But I see the Sox hiring that type of guy ? cerebral, fits their organization model, etc. ? as opposed to a bigger name.
Decisions also must be made on free agents Jonathan Papelbon and David Ortiz, and avoiding bad free-agent signings like John Lackey would be a wise way to go. The Sox will have to replace Lackey (Tommy John surgery) ? easy enough statistically ? and add another starting pitcher.
And to me, a very interesting choice will be what the Angels do. I'd like to see Diamondbacks assistant GM Jerry Dipoto get a well-deserved shot. I think he could bring a little something different to an organization so heavily controlled by manager Mike Scioscia, but at the same time, work well with the longtime manager.
Q: When does Tony La Russa become eligible for the Hall of Fame? Would it be five years after retirement, or something else?
? Shane Harshbarger, Des Moines, Iowa
A: The normal waiting period is five years after retirement. But there have been special exceptions, such as Roberto Clemente, who was inducted a few months after his tragic death on New Years Eve in 1972.
Interestingly, the five-year period wasn't established until 1954. Prior to that, there was no waiting period. Everybody was eligible, and Joe DiMaggio even got a vote while he was an active player.
In La Russa's case, his candidacy will be in the hands of the Veteran's Committee. Longtime general manager Pat Gillick was elected this year by that group, and Whitey Herzog was the committee's choice in 2010.
Incidentally, other managers in the Hall of Fame are Connie Mack, John McGraw, Joe McCarthy, Miller Huggins, Casey Stengel, Bucky Harris, Al Lopez, Walter Alston, Leo Durocher, Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Dick Williams, Wilbert Robinson, Harry Wright, Bill McKechnie, Rube Foster, Frank Selee, Billy Southworth and Ned Hanlon.
La Russa, Joe Torre and Bobby Cox surely will be added to the list later this decade.
Q: Why doesn't Fox show the 'k-zone' during the game on pitches? Other than Joe Buck, I think TBS had better coverage.
? Matthew Beckett, Wellington, Fla.
A: I know they have done so in the World Series, but the Buck-McCarver team always seems to be a lightning rod of criticism, doesn't it?
I'm not anti-Buck/McCarver, but I preferred the TBS telecasts as well, mostly because they used announcer teams who broadcast the game on a daily basis throughout the season, and have better insight than the growing-out-of-touch McCarver.
As far as the big picture goes, all of MLB's network contracts have two more years remaining, and I think you'll see some significant changes at that point. No. 1, there will be a new commissioner in charge, as it appears Bud Selig is serious this time about leaving after the 2012 season.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Fox bow out, and a new player or two ? NBC perhaps? ? emerge.
? 2011 NBC Sports.com? Reprintsadvertisement
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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45049356/ns/sports-baseball/
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