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.
It was just a 36-game get-to-know-you session for Nick Punto and Tim Wallach, but the Dodgers’ third base coach evidently left quite an impression on the former Red Sox infielder.
“He’s just an awesome baseball guy,” Punto said. “He knows a lot about the game. He’s very personable. He’s a great personality. He relates to all the guys. He’s just a solid baseball man. I think he could do a good job in that role. And I know he wants to be a manager.
“He never got too high or too low. He was an aggressive third base coach, not afraid to make mistakes. I enjoyed his personality on the baseball field as far as his intent to win the game. But he never did get too high or too low.”
“He could handle it,” said Punto of Wallach. “He has almost like a Tito [Terry Francona] type personality, where guys are going to get along with him. He could handle the media, for sure. He could handle that whole atmosphere, in my opinion.”
WEEI - Nick Punto on Tim Wallach: ‘He has almost like a Tito-type personality’
You know it's a slow news day when we kick the morning off with quotes from Nick Punto.
Heading into this managerial search, I have virtually the same sentiments I had last year. There's not a single person out there that I'm pining for to take over the Sox bench. I don't even really have a preference between established baseball coaches or recently retired catchers. No name has been mentioned as a candidate, yet, that's gotten me excited. If I had to pick someone, I'd go with Farrell, simply because he's the guy I'm most familiar with, and causes me to have visions of Jon Lester winning a Cy Young dancing in my head.
Nick Punto calling Walach Tito-like, and saying he would have no problem handling the Boston media is great to hear. And it all very well may be true, but it won't make me pull for Wallach to get the job.
The Sox need to get a manager in place quickly. They can't let this drag into winter again. But, we don't really know what type of team we're going to be fielding next year. It could be a team filled with Pawtucket call-ups, or the Sox could go out and sign a handful of veterans this offseason. Either of those are entirely plausible, but each requires a different type of manager, or at least managerial tactics, to be successful.
Whoever they settle on, they have to get this right. We've had a revolving door of shortstops ever since we got rid of Nomar, the best shortstop in a generation. We can't handle the managerial gig the same way.
Rest of the links:
Globe - Red Sox GM Ben Cherington feels front office strayed from team-building model | Herald - Tim Wallach gets Red Sox’ first call | A-Rod’s October brings Snub Seen ’Round the World | WEEI - Why John Farrell still might be right man at right time for Red Sox | Source: Ross, Sox talks gain 'momentum' | Sox meet Japanese phenom Otani | CSNNE - Free Agency 101: Who's best for the Red Sox?
