warm stove October 2018 (do not post during games)

former expo!

his entire big league career consisted of four games with montreal in 1993 -- he went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI (.400/.400/.600)

nice! quit while you're on top of your game, imo

hello, the blue jays' new manager is Charlio Montoyo. he is a father of 2. prepare to die.

Charlie

Down to two. It is Chaim Bloom and it is Brodie Van Wagenen and my goodness they could not be more different:https://t.co/8ySOpthNpF

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 26, 2018

According to FAN radio here, the biggest factor in the Montoyo hiring was that he's Spanish-speaking; second was his ability to work with young players. Obviously, and understandably, Vlad Jr. guided the hiring.

no idea how astute he is with analytics or handling bullpens, although spending four seasons with the rays surely helps

but on a personal level, everyone who's ever played for him or interviewed him or otherwise dealt with him seems to absolutely love the guy. and unlike aaron boone or rocco b, he has extensive experience at actually managing. whether he succeeds or not no doubt depends on the players he's given, but i think it's a great hire and that he will be quite popular in toronto

good canadian kid, tries hard, loves the game

The Rangers will give Stubby Clapp an in-person interview. Clapp has had big success in cardinals minors and is currently managing in the Arizona fall league.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 26, 2018

MLB is filled with more trained and really smart executive candidates than at any time in history -- and the idea that the Mets would hire for GM someone w/o experience running any part of a ball team makes absolutely no sense. The disaster potential is staggering & unnecessary.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 26, 2018

Wilponzi

the idea that the Mets would hire for GM someone w/o experience running any part of a ball team makes absolutely no sense.
i generally think this is true, but there is the Jeff Luhnow experience as a counterpoint

luhnow at least spent eight years in the cardinals' front office (and pretty much ran their scouting?)

excited that the mets are hiring tim tebow's agent tho

he has to quit tho

still a disaster

He must be making way more money as an agent than he would as a GM, assuming he really does "cut ties" with his agency better taking the job.

i would be pretty uncomfortable if i were one of his soon-to-be-former clients

Still, if Van Wagenen becomes the Mets' next GM, he will face significant scrutiny, given the number of Mets players he represents. Van Wagenen is privy to classified medical information that he could theoretically use against his clients in contract negotiations. In July, he said publicly that the Mets should either sign deGrom to a long-term contract extension or trade him, though nothing ever came of that ultimatum. Now, any negotiations with deGrom would present an inherent conflict of interest.

xpost correction: Before taking the job ...