Macha Leaves A’s
2005-10-05 14:59
Ken Macha is out.
Interesting that the exact numbers that changed hands came out. Beane offered $2.6 million for 3 years; Macha asked for $4 million. Beane called off the negotiations; Macha said they would have been willing to come down to $3.1 million, but Beane said forget it.
With the Detroit job filled already, and Jim Tracy the rumored favorite for the Pittsburgh job, it sounds to me like Macha’s agent overplayed his hand.
Let the speculation about his replacement (and where Macha’s going next) begin….
Update: Some people think they know already.
1. Is Pittsburgh filled?
2. Oops, no, lemme zap that.
3. Bob Geren, the bullpen pitch seems the likely choice. (Friend of Billy; managed in the A's system so there's that philosophy buy-in; first big-league managing gig so he'll come dirt cheap.) Ron Washington is the less-likely choice. Maybe Jim Tracy can apply... I bet DePodesta will give him a glowing recommendation.
As for where Macha's going next? Obviously, it's got to be Nation's, if the radio ads are to be believed.
4. Well, there is a Nation's in Pittsburg.
Unfortunately for Macha, there isn't one in Pittsburgh. It seems to be a Bay Area-only franchise. He's gonna be missin' those burgers.
5. I agree Geren seems the logical choice.
Washington's expressed enough reservations about Beane's philosophy that I doubt he'd get the job, or even that he'd want it. Tampa is probably a better fit for him, but they're getting new owners, so who knows what they're looking for? The Dodger Thoughts crowd seem to think Washington might go there, but wouldn't the A's have first dibs on him? And if Beane didn't want him as manager, why would DePodesta?
Other names bandied about: Tony DeFrancesca, Von Hayes, Rene Lachemann.
6. "Well, there is a Nation's in Pittsburg.
Unfortunately for Macha, there isn't one in Pittsburgh."
Pleasanton to Pittsburg,
out Orinda way,
Livermore, Benecia, Tracy any day
Everywhere you go, people say it's got to be Nation's.
Hmmm? What's that? Post something that isn't moronic? OK.
The A's and Macha probably cut off talks when they did so he could jump back in the Pirates discussion before the Tracy hiring became a fait accompli. Failing that, Macha would also be a candidate in Washington or Baltimore, assuming those jobs open up.
I agree that the A's will probably stick within the organization, be it Geren, one of the other coaches (Wash or Lacheman), or the minor-league guys. Can't really see them going outside for a manager for reasons of both cost and philosophy.
So no Lou Pinella kicking hurling bases in the Coliseum next year is what I'm guessing.
7. As someone posting from that town right now, I must correct the spelling of Benicia.
I've eaten at the Nation's here twice in the past six weeks, btw.