by Phoenix Desertsong, Red Sox for Life
While I realize that this article may not age well, I had a hot take on the Red Sox manager situation that I simply HAD to write about: I think Dustin Pedroia should be the next manager of the Boston Red Sox.
Hot take? It most certainly is. I mean, it makes sense for the Red Sox to reach out to former players. Nomar Garciaparra has been suggested by fans, but I’m not sure he’s interested.
Jason Varitek seems an obvious perfect fit. After all, he dealt with the Boston media for years, many of those as Red Sox team captain. He has always seemed like the perfect manager candidate and could give the team the centering influence it needs to pull together after a highly disappointing 2019 season. But, I get the impression that Jason is happy in retirement with his family and kids. I could be wrong, though.
Mike Lowell already offered to manage for a year as a bridge to Alex Cora returning in 2021. Thanks, but no thanks, man. The Alex Cora ship has sailed.
Of course, despite his obvious wrongdoings in the past, Cora was, and still is, beloved by the players. Bringing in an outside candidate just a few weeks before spring training seems like a bad idea. Well, you already know from the title of this article what my suggestion will be: hire Dustin Pedroia as manager!
Hear me out: Pedroia just suffered another setback in his return to the field. His left knee simply isn’t cooperating. But, with two years and $25 million left on his contract, he’s pretty much forced to keep attempting a comeback. A lot of people want to see him pull a David Wright, settle for an insurance settlement, and retire.
I don’t think that’s the right idea. With Pedey’s playing days probably behind him, why force him to rehab and sit on the bench? The Red Sox need Pedey’s competitive fire and energy more than ever. He’s a pretty unorthodox choice for a manager, I’ll admit, but since when is playing it safe worth it?
As it is, Pedroia has had an amazing playing career. I mean, look at these numbers:
Of course, Pedroia is still under contract. That’s a lot of money. He’s not going to simply walk away from it, and why should he? Pedroia earned it. Plus, by becoming manager, he could STILL return, even if just to pinch hit occasionally. I would LOVE to see a player-manager after all these years.
Is my dream of Dustin Pedroia being the Red Sox manager in 2020 going to come true? I can dream! It’s also not as crazy as it sounds.
Who do YOU think should be the next manager of the Boston Red Sox?
Hot take? It most certainly is. I mean, it makes sense for the Red Sox to reach out to former players. Nomar Garciaparra has been suggested by fans, but I’m not sure he’s interested.
Jason Varitek seems an obvious perfect fit. After all, he dealt with the Boston media for years, many of those as Red Sox team captain. He has always seemed like the perfect manager candidate and could give the team the centering influence it needs to pull together after a highly disappointing 2019 season. But, I get the impression that Jason is happy in retirement with his family and kids. I could be wrong, though.
Mike Lowell already offered to manage for a year as a bridge to Alex Cora returning in 2021. Thanks, but no thanks, man. The Alex Cora ship has sailed.
Of course, despite his obvious wrongdoings in the past, Cora was, and still is, beloved by the players. Bringing in an outside candidate just a few weeks before spring training seems like a bad idea. Well, you already know from the title of this article what my suggestion will be: hire Dustin Pedroia as manager!
Hear me out: Pedroia just suffered another setback in his return to the field. His left knee simply isn’t cooperating. But, with two years and $25 million left on his contract, he’s pretty much forced to keep attempting a comeback. A lot of people want to see him pull a David Wright, settle for an insurance settlement, and retire.
I don’t think that’s the right idea. With Pedey’s playing days probably behind him, why force him to rehab and sit on the bench? The Red Sox need Pedey’s competitive fire and energy more than ever. He’s a pretty unorthodox choice for a manager, I’ll admit, but since when is playing it safe worth it?
As it is, Pedroia has had an amazing playing career. I mean, look at these numbers:
- 14 seasons
- .299 career batting average
- 1,805 hits
- Rookie of the Year
- 1 MVP
- 4 All-Star Games
- 4 Gold Gloves
- 3 World Series Rings (including 2018 when he was hurt)
Of course, Pedroia is still under contract. That’s a lot of money. He’s not going to simply walk away from it, and why should he? Pedroia earned it. Plus, by becoming manager, he could STILL return, even if just to pinch hit occasionally. I would LOVE to see a player-manager after all these years.
Is my dream of Dustin Pedroia being the Red Sox manager in 2020 going to come true? I can dream! It’s also not as crazy as it sounds.
Who do YOU think should be the next manager of the Boston Red Sox?
RSS Feed
