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Originally Posted by duncan_idaho
It's this. It's also worth pointing out that despite the troubles, Soler has a .347 OBP in June despite hitting sub .200.
If the Royals can get him right, he can boost the offense in ways that no one else can. Not that it matters at this point in the season, as there doesn't seem to be any way they can climb back "into it." The upside is high. And it DOES put teams in a tougher spot when Merrifield gets on in front of Soler. If it means he sees more heaters, it benefits him a bunch.
There's no great revelation here. The manager makes day-to-day decisions. GMs don't dictate individual lineup decisions.
GM runs the overall ship and coordinates personnel with the manager. You've got to give the guy room to make his own decisions or you've hired the wrong person.
Owner hires the GM and again has to give the guy room to do his job or they have hired the wrong person.
Matheny IS a manager so stubborn his GM has literally traded players away so he can no longer stubbornly use them before (see: Craig, Allen).
I think Moore put himself in hot water by going with Matheny. At worst, I think Matheny will have to make large changes to the coaching staff at the major league level. At best, Moore realizes Matheny is a buffoon who doesn't have any redeeming qualities as an actual baseball manager and moves on.
I expect Moore will go to bat for Matheny out of loyalty. It will put HIM on the hot seat to do something like that.
I also expect John Sherman to move purposely when it comes to the GM spot. If he were to fire Moore, he'd have to be sure it won't hurt the Royals' rep with other league officials.
What probably is a better move than firing Moore would be to give him the "promotion" similar to what Beane got in Oakland, where he is President of Baseball Operations, but someone else is making the personnel decisions.
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Ever seen Moneyball? Beane tells Howe he’s playing Hattebwrg at 1B. Howe replies “Nah, it’s Pena”. Beane says you can’t. Howe: “Why!” Beane: cause I traded him.
Catch my drift?