Mets pass on Jaramillo

Chuck · 10-25-2007, 02:25 PM

Ken Davidoff
October 25, 2007
BOSTON

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Rudy Jaramillo is disappointed, a friend of the highly respected hitting coach told Newsday. The Rangers' hitting coach for the past 11 seasons, a potential free agent at the end of the month, Jaramillo hoped to have an opportunity to work the same job for the Mets.

It's not an indictment of Jaramillo's work that the Mets are going to pass on hiring him. Instead, it's a reflection of general manager Omar Minaya's sensitivity - and of Willie Randolph's tenuous job status.

Minaya, returning a call yesterday, was reluctant to discuss his longtime friend Jaramillo, since the Rangers still employ the 57-year-old. However, two media outlets yesterday quoted Minaya as saying he didn't want to put Jaramillo in Randolph's dugout.

Three years ago, when Minaya went through the process that led him to hire Randolph, the Mets general manager also interviewed Jaramillo. Minaya worries that bringing aboard Jaramillo would create the perception that the Mets have a "manager in waiting."

The irony is that Jaramillo insists he has no desire to manage. Reached by Newsday's Kat O'Brien yesterday, Jaramillo, like Minaya, declined to discuss the Mets' situation. Asked if he wanted to manage, Jaramillo said, "No, not really, I'd say I don't. This is what I'm good at."

Nevertheless, it appears he was ready for a change of scenery. New York, in particular, had to appeal to him. Jaramillo's son, Justin, lives in Manhattan and is getting his doctorate at Rutgers.

The Mets would arguably be a better team with Jaramillo at hitting coach and Howard Johnson, who replaced Rick Down as hitting coach in the middle of last season, back at first-base coach. Yet you can understand where the Mets are coming from. The Mets and Randolph have enough to overcome from '07 without throwing another plot into the mix. Besides, as Minaya pointed out, Johnson did nothing to lose his job.

"Howard did a good job," Minaya said. "In the second half, all of our numbers were up. The slugging was up [.447 from .419]. The batting average was up [.284 from .268]. The whole thing was up."

Rickey Henderson, who replaced Johnson as first-base coach and drew negative reviews for his predictably poor work ethic, will not return to the coaching staff. But Randolph's top allies, bench coach Jerry Manuel and third-base coach Sandy Alomar, appear safe.

MetfanBren · 10-25-2007, 02:42 PM

The Willie conspiracy theory is interesting, but this was the only way to go if you want to keep HoJo around. You can't ask the guy to go from a hands on job like hitting coach back to being the guy who yells "back!" when the Pitcher throws over. Toes would have been stepped on for sure, and HoJo would probably bolt at the first chance for a better position. He did do a great job (with the exception of Reyes). I'm not sure what he could have done better other than maybe pitch a few dozen scoreless frames...

FrankStylV7 · 10-25-2007, 02:47 PM

Randolph was the architect of the second greatest collapse in MLB history (IMO, 1964 Phillies are #1).

He deserves a push.

Kid A · 10-25-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankStylV7

Randolph was the architect of the second greatest collapse in MLB history (IMO, 1964 Phillies are #1).

He deserves a push.

HoJo is the future manager in waiting.

lgm6986 · 10-25-2007, 03:19 PM

What Frank said.

If Jaramillo's presence upsets Randolph so be it. After that debacle he doesn't deserve the benefit of any doubt.

If Omar believes Jaramillo makes the Mets a stronger team and he's not hiring him because he's afraid of perception, then he is a bigger moron than I gave him credit for.

The 2008 season is going to have a blood-in-the-water tinge to it anyway as far as the media goes, at least until they sustain a sizeable advantage in the division. Who cares WTF anyone thinks or how something looks?

KingOlerud · 10-25-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgm6986

The 2008 season is going to have a blood-in-the-water tinge to it anyway as far as the media goes, at least until they sustain a sizeable advantage in the division.

That ain't gonna help either.

mets84 · 10-25-2007, 03:44 PM

The Mets and Randolph have enough to overcome from '07 without throwing another plot into the mix.

I'd agree with this. As much as I fear/expect that next year's team is going to be "let's bring the exact same crew back for the disappointment threepeat," I think a crushing media "Williewatch" blitz in the midst of a slump in like May/June is going to be the surest way this team gets sent to 90+ losses.

The less potential for drama, the more likely it is the Mets will be able to weather a storm. It may turn out it's not likely at all they'll be able to weather a storm, regardless of what Omar does this winter, but anything that can lessen the palace intrigue BS the Mets seem to mass produce is fine by me.

Wright 5 · 10-25-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

HoJo is the future manager in waiting.

Agreed.

Green Must Go · 10-25-2007, 04:06 PM

I can't believe Omar is concerned about how this would affect Willie. Screw Steamboat.

Bay Ridge Dave · 10-25-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

As much as I fear/expect that next year's team is going to be "let's bring the exact same crew back for the disappointment threepeat," I think a crushing media "Williewatch" blitz in the midst of a slump in like May/June is going to be the surest way this team gets sent to 90+ losses.

If this is Omar's "game plan" this off season, he should be fired on the spot.

IMO, we will see how serious the Mets org is regarding Willie. If Omar goes out and makes real changes to the team, it will at least show everyone and the mgr are on the same page. If Omar does nothing other than re-sign Castillo and wish upon a star for Sanchez to return and save the bullpen... then IMHO, they are setting up Willie for failure...

Busyman · 10-25-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets84

The Mets and Randolph have enough to overcome from '07 without throwing another plot into the mix.

I'd agree with this. As much as I fear/expect that next year's team is going to be "let's bring the exact same crew back for the disappointment threepeat," I think a crushing media "Williewatch" blitz in the midst of a slump in like May/June is going to be the surest way this team gets sent to 90+ losses.

The less potential for drama, the more likely it is the Mets will be able to weather a storm. It may turn out it's not likely at all they'll be able to weather a storm, regardless of what Omar does this winter, but anything that can lessen the palace intrigue BS the Mets seem to mass produce is fine by me.

Nah, everything is fine. They did win 88 games last year.

Sweet-tasting champagne.

No extra credit for winning by 17 games.

They were bored.

Clap your hands.

I deserve a parking spot.

Pepsi Party Patrol.

Load up the X-Box.

Have some fun in the shower.

Do the wave.

THEY can speak English

Power pitchers and non-athletes.

Real fans know they played their hearts out.

We're still the best team in the National League

Fans faults.

Youknowwhatimsaying

FrankStylV7 · 10-25-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Ridge Dave

If this is Omar's "game plan" this off season, he should be fired on the spot.

IMO, we will see how serious the Mets org is regarding Willie. If Omar goes out and makes real changes to the team, it will at least show everyone and the mgr are on the same page. If Omar does nothing other than re-sign Castillo and wish upon a star for Sanchez to return and save the bullpen... then IMHO, they are setting up Willie for failure...

willie needs about as much "setting up" for failure as Aria Giovanni needs setting up for dates.

Bay Ridge Dave · 10-25-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busyman

Nah, everything is fine. They did win 88 games last year.

Sweet-tasting champagne.

No extra credit for winning by 17 games.

They were bored.

Clap your hands.

I deserve a parking spot.

Pepsi Party Patrol.

Load up the X-Box.

Have some fun in the shower.

Do the wave.

THEY can speak English

Power pitchers and non-athletes.

Real fans know they played their hearts out.

We're still the best team in the National League

Fans faults.

Youknowwhatimsaying

I am not worried.

Phillies suck.

Cy Hamels (hardee har har)!!

FrankStylV7 · 10-25-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankStylV7

willie needs about as much "setting up" for failure as Aria Giovanni needs setting up for dates.

Wright 5 · 10-25-2007, 04:42 PM

****in' a, frank. ****in a.

10-25-2007, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chuck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,621	Mets pass on Jaramillo Ken Davidoff October 25, 2007 BOSTON Article tools E-mail Share Rudy Jaramillo is disappointed, a friend of the highly respected hitting coach told Newsday. The Rangers' hitting coach for the past 11 seasons, a potential free agent at the end of the month, Jaramillo hoped to have an opportunity to work the same job for the Mets. It's not an indictment of Jaramillo's work that the Mets are going to pass on hiring him. Instead, it's a reflection of general manager Omar Minaya's sensitivity - and of Willie Randolph's tenuous job status. Minaya, returning a call yesterday, was reluctant to discuss his longtime friend Jaramillo, since the Rangers still employ the 57-year-old. However, two media outlets yesterday quoted Minaya as saying he didn't want to put Jaramillo in Randolph's dugout. Three years ago, when Minaya went through the process that led him to hire Randolph, the Mets general manager also interviewed Jaramillo. Minaya worries that bringing aboard Jaramillo would create the perception that the Mets have a "manager in waiting." The irony is that Jaramillo insists he has no desire to manage. Reached by Newsday's Kat O'Brien yesterday, Jaramillo, like Minaya, declined to discuss the Mets' situation. Asked if he wanted to manage, Jaramillo said, "No, not really, I'd say I don't. This is what I'm good at." Nevertheless, it appears he was ready for a change of scenery. New York, in particular, had to appeal to him. Jaramillo's son, Justin, lives in Manhattan and is getting his doctorate at Rutgers. The Mets would arguably be a better team with Jaramillo at hitting coach and Howard Johnson, who replaced Rick Down as hitting coach in the middle of last season, back at first-base coach. Yet you can understand where the Mets are coming from. The Mets and Randolph have enough to overcome from '07 without throwing another plot into the mix. Besides, as Minaya pointed out, Johnson did nothing to lose his job. "Howard did a good job," Minaya said. "In the second half, all of our numbers were up. The slugging was up [.447 from .419]. The batting average was up [.284 from .268]. The whole thing was up." Rickey Henderson, who replaced Johnson as first-base coach and drew negative reviews for his predictably poor work ethic, will not return to the coaching staff. But Randolph's top allies, bench coach Jerry Manuel and third-base coach Sandy Alomar, appear safe.

10-25-2007, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
FrankStylV7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Up your Mom's filthy snatch Posts: 6,781	Randolph was the architect of the second greatest collapse in MLB history (IMO, 1964 Phillies are #1). He deserves a push. __________________ "The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum." - Havelock Ellis

10-25-2007, 04:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Green Must Go Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Obama has his eye on your wallet Posts: 11,993	I can't believe Omar is concerned about how this would affect Willie. Screw Steamboat. __________________ Obama's least favorite scripture: Even while we were with you, you gave you this rule: "Whoever does not work should not eat." - 2 Thes 3:10

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10-25-2007, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
MetfanBren Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pearl River, NY Posts: 3,639	The Willie conspiracy theory is interesting, but this was the only way to go if you want to keep HoJo around. You can't ask the guy to go from a hands on job like hitting coach back to being the guy who yells "back!" when the Pitcher throws over. Toes would have been stepped on for sure, and HoJo would probably bolt at the first chance for a better position. He did do a great job (with the exception of Reyes). I'm not sure what he could have done better other than maybe pitch a few dozen scoreless frames...

10-25-2007, 03:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
lgm6986 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,942	What Frank said. If Jaramillo's presence upsets Randolph so be it. After that debacle he doesn't deserve the benefit of any doubt. If Omar believes Jaramillo makes the Mets a stronger team and he's not hiring him because he's afraid of perception, then he is a bigger moron than I gave him credit for. The 2008 season is going to have a blood-in-the-water tinge to it anyway as far as the media goes, at least until they sustain a sizeable advantage in the division. Who cares WTF anyone thinks or how something looks?

10-25-2007, 03:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
mets84 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Down by 11 in the 9th inning Posts: 9,859	The Mets and Randolph have enough to overcome from '07 without throwing another plot into the mix. I'd agree with this. As much as I fear/expect that next year's team is going to be "let's bring the exact same crew back for the disappointment threepeat," I think a crushing media "Williewatch" blitz in the midst of a slump in like May/June is going to be the surest way this team gets sent to 90+ losses. The less potential for drama, the more likely it is the Mets will be able to weather a storm. It may turn out it's not likely at all they'll be able to weather a storm, regardless of what Omar does this winter, but anything that can lessen the palace intrigue BS the Mets seem to mass produce is fine by me.

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