Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Red Sox fans finally have a name to go with the Sox' managerial search - Pete Mackanin.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Red Sox are scheduled to interview the Phillies' current bench coach on Monday.
Mackanin has never been a full time manager in the major leagues, but has held the position on an interim basis, twice. In 2005 he took over the Pirates’ job from Lloyd McClendon, going 12-14. In 2007, he took over the Reds’ job from Jerry Narron, going 41-39.
Mackanin, 60, managed in the minors for 13 seasons. In 1995 he was named the Sporting News’ minor-league manager of the year. He began his major-league coaching career in 1997 with Montreal as third-base coach, and was later a bench coach with the Pirates. Mackanin has also been a scout for the Yankees and Reds.
CSNNE - Red Sox to interview Mackanin
Pete Mackanin = Phillies Bench Coach
See that fancy equation up there? That's everything I previously knew about Pete Mackanin before reading this article. Hopping over to Wikipedia, I've since learned that Mackanin took over the skipper job for the Peoria Chiefs from Joe Maddon in 1985. So, there's that.
I don't expect the search to end with Mackanin, but it's nice to finally know someone who could be our manager next season.
And in player news:
According to a major league source, the Red Sox have yet to make a contract offer to closer Jonathan Papelbon, who will be eligible to become a free agent once the Sox' exclusive negotiating period ends at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. (The negotiating window lasts for five days following the completion of the World Series.)
When asked about the prospects of reaching a deal with either Papelbon, or potential free agent David Ortiz, within the Sox' exclusive negotiating period new Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said, "Within the window? Tough to handicap. My impression is that Pap will probably get into free agency. I’m not ruling anything out, but that’s my impression."
WEEI - Source: No offer yet from Sox to Papelbon
I'm with Scott. I think you need to bring Papelbon back (unless the price is obscene). Bard was wildly inconsistent last year, so I wouldn't feel comfortable with him taking over (nevermind all the 'convert to starter' talk). We threw a ton of money at the bullpen last year, and it was a disaster; so I don't think you can back-fill the bullpen in free agency again. And there aren't too many potential shut-down closers hanging around the minors.
Unless Papelbon's agent is reading this. In which case, can you believe how many people we have willing and able to fill Papelbon's shoes? It's ridiculous. Might as well re-name Pawtucket the "Potential Closers".
Rest of the links:
WEEI - How David Freese almost became a member of the Red Sox | Herald - Cubs have a new Theocracy | Red Sox looking for leaders | Sox unlikely to go with the same ol' plan | Globe - In Red Sox lineup, he's the toughest out | Larry Lucchino Says There Are Currently No Front-Runners for Red Sox' Managerial Opening, But List of Finalists Evolving
