Hey all,
Managers Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies were named the Managers of the Year in the American and National Leagues respectively today. Ron Gardenhire of the Twins and Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals finished second in the voting in the respective leagues.
Of course I wish Gardy would have won the award in the AL but I don't have a huge problem with this. Mike Scioscia is a great manager and his team plays much like the Twins are supposed to play, not a lot of stars, just a bunch of good players with low to no egos who do things the right way and win most of the time. Also remember that his team went through a really tough situation earlier this year when rookie Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunk driver after his firt major league win this year. To guide a team, after an event such as that, to the ALCS can't be an easy thing.
If you're wondering how close the voting was you can check that out here: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4667499
If you are wondering why Gardenhire did not win the award and what he needs to do to potentially do so soon, I would suggest reading a fellow blogger's blog which you can find here: http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/11/18/i-like-gardy-bu
I must get going back to my real job here in a second but I did want to also put out there that there are reports that former Seattle, Anaheim and Detroit lefty Jarrod Washburn is drawing interest from the Twins as well as a few other clubs. I feel that if this were to happen that it would be a solid signing for the Twins. They are in need of some veteran leadership in their rotation and all the better that he's a lefty. He's not a great pitcher but he's solid and would be able to win us a few ball games that other pitchers on the staff currently, I don't believe, can. Here were Washburn's stats last season:
- W-L 9-9
- ERA 3.78
- K 100
- Walks 49
- WHIP 1.19
Yes, he only won 9 games last year but remember he pitched in Seattle who is not known to give their pitchers great run support and an ERA in the 3's is considered pretty good these days. It would not be a signing that would win a pennant by any means but it would improve a shaky rotation. Would love to hear anyone's thoughts as to what the Twins should do this offseason and if you agree or disagree with what I have said.
Joe
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