That's my guess too, Ken.

Can't believe Francona will take a pay cut to come to a team he can't win with.

Alomar just wants a job, any job.

If Francona says No, that means, to me, that he asked if the team would spend on free agents and he was told No. I can't imagine he wants to manage a team that isn't trying to win. Good opportunity for Alomar to get some useful experience and move on to a real job after a couple years.

I don't see anyway that Francona does not take the job. You are all making it like he is Whitey Herzog or something. He is not. He wants the job just as bad as the Indians need his name.

This should excite the managerial candidates.

Cleveland Indians recalled Lars Anderson from Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Indians recalled Danny Salazar from Akron Aeros.
Cleveland Indians recalled Fabio Martinez from Carolina Mudcats.
Cleveland Indians recalled Juan Diaz from Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Indians recalled Kevin Slowey from Columbus Clippers

they were the only players on the 40 man roster who hadn't joined the team in September.

Would Hiring Terry Francona Make David Ortiz an Option?

By Matt Boczar (Featured Columnist) on October 6, 2012 88 reads 0

The Cleveland Indians were two games over .500 and only 1.5 games out of first place in the American League Central as of July 1. However, a 24-53 record in the second half was not enough to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive, nor was it enough to keep Many Acta as the team’s manager heading into the 2013 season.

Who takes over for the Tribe next season?

One candidate appears to be Sandy Alomar, Jr. who, according to an article on ESPN.com, recently interviewed for the job.

As the article mentions, Alomar, a six-time All-Star with the Indians as a player, served as the team’s bench coach this season. He has no previous head coaching experience. However, his recent interview was not his first with a major league team.

But it’s the candidate after Alomar who might be the most intriguing for the Indians as they look to bounce back in an AL Central that has seen three different division winners in the past five seasons.

As another article on ESPN.com reported yesterday, the Indians have interviewed former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona for their vacant manager’s position. The article points out that Francona has previously worked for the Indians and his father played six seasons for the team.

Both candidates seemingly have great chances of being named the team’s next manager, but it is Francona who would bring with him two World Series titles from his days with the Red Sox.


But is that all that Francona could bring with him to the Indians?

After unraveling in the second half, the Indians finished the season ranked near the bottom of the AL in multiple offensive categories.

The team’s 136 total home runs was just five away from being tied for the lowest total in the league, while their .251 team batting average and 635 RBI total also ranked in the bottom half of the league.

Unfortunately, the player who has played in 1,078 career games with the team and hit 200 career home runs during that period did little to help improve these offensive rankings.

35-year-old designated hitter Travis Hafner has left his mark on the team, but has only appeared in at least 100 games once since 2008, and just hit the second-fewest home runs of any season in his major league career.

Furthermore, Hafner’s contract requires the team to either pick up his $13 million option for next season, or pay a $2.75 million buyout.

As this tweet by Jordan Bastian shows, chances appear slim that the Indians will pick up Hafner’s team option, especially after the veteran batted .228 and had near-career lows in home runs, RBI, runs and hits last season.

The Indians, as of now, appear to be in need of a new manager and option at designated hitter for next season.


Could these needs be addressed as part of a packaged deal?

A look at the free agent market for designated hitters shows that one player will be available who has spent much of his career playing for a current managerial candidate of the Indians.

David Ortiz is set to hit the free agent market following the World Series, and played eight seasons for Francona while he was manager of the Red Sox.

Upon Francona’s firing at the end of last season, Ortiz had this to say in an article by Ian Browne on the Red Sox website:

“We’re going to miss him,” Ortiz said. “Tito is a good dude. Tito was a guy I played eight years for. We’re going to miss him. In my situation, I never got in Tito’s way and he never got in mine. He pretty much would remind me about some things sometimes when I really needed it. But that’s life. Life continues. I know he’ll be somewhere else at some point.”

Well, it appears as if that “somewhere else” might just be in Cleveland next season.

Ortiz will be 37 years old at the start of next season, and played in just 90 games this year. However, he still managed to bat .318 with 23 home runs and a .415 OBP. During the past two seasons combined, Ortiz has batted .314 with 52 home runs and 156 RBI in 236 games. He has also been named to the past three AL All-Star squads.



Would Francona’s hiring entice Ortiz to sign with the Indians this offseason? Would Francona’s hiring even result in the Indians being interested in Ortiz this offseason?

If the Indians have to replace a long-time member of their lineup, signing an All-Star DH with over 400 career home runs and multiple World Series rings isn’t a bad option to have.

This scenario likely is dependent on the Indians hiring Francona in the first place, but a possible reunion could improve the team’s lineup for next season while addressing a need this offseason.

The two sides could also have little interest in a reunion. But if Francona was hired and convinced Ortiz that the team’s play during the first half of this season is how they will play all of next season, the Indians could become Ortiz’s final landing spot in an impressive career.

Hiring Francona could benefit the Indians in ways that are able to be seen well before next season even starts.

kenm wrote:I think Francona will get a nice look good offer this weekend he will of course decline but say how much he enjoyed his interview but he cant take that much time away from his family-we will offer alomar a cheapo contract on mon and tues he will be announced.

Guess again.

I admit that I was surprised as well. Not b/c of a "look good" offer, but I thought Alomar had the inside track, as well as a smaller salary. I'd hate to lose him. Maybe Francona can keep him on his staff.

rusty2 wrote:I don't see anyway that Francona does not take the job. You are all making it like he is Whitey Herzog or something. He is not. He wants the job just as bad as the Indians need his name.

Score one for RUSTY!

Indians Hire Terry Francona
By Zach Links [October 6 at 6:25pm CST]
6:25pm: The Indians have announced the hiring of Francona and will formally introduce him at a press conference on Monday morning.

4:42pm: The Indians and Francona are discussing a four-year deal, according to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. The manager also implied to Hoynes that while a deal may be close, it has yet to be finalized.

3:24pm: The Indians are set to hire Terry Francona as manager with an announcement likely for Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Francona, currently an analyst for ESPN, said last night that his two options at present were to either manager in Cleveland or remain with the network.

The former Red Sox skipper has linked to the vacancy ever since the dismissal of Manny Acta, but many wondered if Cleveland could offer him a satisfactory deal. Sandy Alomar Jr. was also viewed as a strong candidate for the job, having guided the club for its final six games of the season with obvious ties to the organization. At the same time, Tito has strong relationships with GM Chris Antonetti and team president Mark Shapiro following his 2001 stint with Cleveland as a special assistant to the GM.

Francona now takes over for a club that finished 68-94 in 2012 and has a limited budget to work with. For his career, the 53-year-old has a 1,029–915 record across a total of 12 seasons as a big league skipper.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Indians Name Terry Francona Club's 42nd Manager
Oct 06, 2012 -- 4:24pm
By: T.J. Zuppe



After interviewing Terry Francona on Friday, the Cleveland Indians have made a decision on their new manager.

Francona is set to become the club's 42nd manager in team history according to a release from the club. A formal announcement will come on Monday morning at Progressive Field.

The Indians did not provide any further details or comments out of respect for the MLB protocol involving announcements made during the post-season.

Francona - former skipper of the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox - won two World Series championships with Boston. His first came in 2004, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games. His second came in 2007, when his Red Sox beat the Indians in the ALCS and swept the Colorado Rockies in the fall classic.

Following the 2011 season in Boston, the Red Sox did not exercise his option to return as manager.

Francona spent the 2012 season as an analyst for ESPN, an experience he believes helped him regain perspective on the game.

The Tribe's new manager is no stranger to the Indians' front office. Francona spent the 2001 season as a special assistant to then GM Mark Shapiro.

“That was a good year for me," Francona said in an interview made available by Indians PR on Friday. "It allowed me to watch the interactions between management and field people without having the emotion of a game hanging over your head. It was a good learning experience for me."

Francona was able to build strong relationships with Shapiro and GM Chris Antonetti.

“Because of Chris and Mark and my relationship, I am excited to tackle, or attempt to tackle every challenge that comes our way and do it together,” Francona said following his interview on Friday.

Cleveland interviewed two candidates for the job vacated by the firing of Manny Acta. The front office met with bench coach and interim skipper Sandy Alomar Jr. on Thursday and Francona on Friday.

According to reports, Alomar has been offered a coaching job on Francona's staff.

Cleveland Indians make it official: Terry Francona is their new manager

Published: Saturday, October 06, 2012, 5:27 PM Updated: Saturday, October 06, 2012, 9:12 PM


By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have picked Terry Francona to be their new manager. As of late Saturday night, the parties were still negotiating a multiyear deal that could reach four years.
The team will make a formal announcement Monday at Progressive Field, but in a statement said it will have no further comment until then because MLB protocol requires teams to keep a low profile during postseason play.
Francona, who led Boston to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, and Sandy Alomar Jr. were the only candidates for the job. Alomar, who finished the season as interim manager after the Tribe fired Manny Acta on Sept. 27, interviewed Thursday. Francona interviewed Friday.
The Indians told Alomar on Saturday that Francona was their choice. Alomar, in a text, declined to comment "out of respect for the new manager. Let Terry have the first say." The Indians reportedly did offer Alomar a job as Francona's bench coach, but it's unclear if he's accepted.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reported Saturday that a deal had already been reached. Francona told The Plain Dealer at the time, "I hope he's right, but I don't think he's quite right."
After Friday, it was clear that the Indians' next manager would either be Francona or Sandy Alomar Jr. The Indians didn't interview anyone else.
Last week The Plain Dealer talked to several baseball people about the attributes of Francona and Alomar. The most frequent answer, "They can't go wrong with either guy."
Indians right-hander Justin Masterson played for Francona in Boston in 2008 and 2009 before he was traded to the Indians.
"What's great as a team is that you have two well-respected individuals who are solid about the game," said Masterson. "Potentially, we feel it should be one of those two guys. We feel good things will happen either way.
"Right now, the boys love Santos and enjoy having him around. I've had a chance to be with Tito and I appreciate him and think he's great. I don't think we can go wrong."
Curt Schilling, who pitched for Francona in Boston, said in a Tweet: "I don't think the Tribe can lose, either way. Francona or Alomar, both are going to do well wherever they end up."
When comparing resumes, the Indians' choice was easy. Alomar, 46, was an accomplished player from a baseball family that included Hall of Fame brother Roberto Alomar, but the six games he managed at the end of this season were the only six of his career.
Francona, 53, managed four years in the minors with the White Sox from 1992 through 1995. Along the way, he managed NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, who could not hit the breaking ball or the fastball. Francona managed the Phillies from 1997 through 2000. In 2004, he took over the Red Sox, leading them to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 and five straight postseason appearances.
Following an historic September collapse in the 2011, a collapse that cost the Red Sox a place in the postseason despite winning 90 games, Francona's option was not exercised.
Francona's major league record is 1,029-915 (.529).
"I think Francona is a pretty good manager," said one major league scout. "He's very steady. He's already dealt with the kind of team he'll have in Cleveland [next year] with the teams he managed in Philadelphia.
"He's good with young players and he had to manage a lot of egos in Boston with Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon and guys like that. So he knows how to do that."
Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester broke into the big leagues and became stars in Boston under Francona.
"A general manager has to determine what kind of manager best fits his club," said a NL scout. "He can asked his player personnel people and scouts for advice, but it usually comes down to a gut feeling on the general manager's part."
FoxSports.com said Francona averaged $4 million a year in his last deal with the Red Sox. GM Chris Antonetti said Thursday that money would be no object in signing a manager.
Francona has earned a reputation of protecting his players at almost all costs. He had plenty of practice in Boston's intense baseball market.
"You'd be hiring an attractive guy in Francona," said John Hart, former Indians general manager and a consultant with Texas. "He's got a good relationship with the front office. Tremendous managerial experience with a winning resume.
"He was scapegoat in Boston after the 2011 season and everyone saw what the end result was this year. He's a player's manager and he will help that team grow."
After being fired by the Phillies following the 2000 season, Francona was hired by Indians President Mark Shapiro as a special assistant. Shapiro was general manager at the time. He also became friends with current GM Chris Antonetti, who was Shapiro's assistant at the time.
The worst part about the decision is that the Indians could lose Alomar. Over the past two years he's interviewed for the managerial jobs in Boston, Toronto and the Chicago Cubs. The Boston job is open again and Toronto soon could be if the Red Sox work a trade for John Farrell to be their manager.
If Alomar gets a manager's job, Brad Mills is a possibility to be the Indians' next bench coach. He was Francona's bench coach in Boston and was fired as Houston's manager during the season.
"Sandy has a chance to be a real good manager," said Hart. "He has a chance to be a long-term fit with a team. He's smart, comes from a baseball family and he's bilingual."

Hiring Terry Francona as manager of the Cleveland Indians is a good sign after a bad year: Terry Pluto


Published: Saturday, October 06, 2012, 8:26 PM Updated: Saturday, October 06, 2012, 8:34 PM
By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The only question that I had about Terry Francona managing the Indians was this: Why would Francona want to manage the Indians?
But it's clear that he does, and he must see more hope for the team in the near future than most of us do.
So that's good news, if you care about baseball in Cleveland.
The 53-year-old Francona desperately wanted to manage again after taking a year off. He was fired following a 7-20 September collapse in Boston, costing the Red Sox a playoff spot. They still won 90 games.
This season minus Francona, the Red Sox lost 93 games -- one fewer than the Tribe.
Francona's Tribe contract is expected to be some type of four-year deal. He was making close to $4 million annually with Boston, where he won at least 95 games in five of his eight seasons.
It's doubtful Francona took much of a pay cut to come to the Tribe. He could have stayed at his ESPN job (paying him more than $1 million) and waited for another team to pursue him.
And Francona would have had attractive offers. If not this winter, then at some point next season.
But Francona wanted the Tribe, and the Indians wanted him.
And the ownership made it happen, so give the Dolans credit.
They will be paying Manny Acta an estimated $1 million to not manage next season, along with Francona's hefty salary. Ownership could have easily said: "Hire Sandy Alomar. The fans and media love. Everyone says he'll be a good manager."
And yes, the Tribe's bench coach would have come a lot cheaper than Francona, as Alomar has never managed at any level until the final six games of this season when he took over for Acta.
I've been getting several emails about how it doesn't matter who is the Tribe manager because:
A.) Ownership won't spend.
B.) The front office will make more bad trades.
C.) There are few prospects at the top level of the farm system.
D.) All of the above.
Of course, many of these same fans love to second-guess lineups, decisions not to steal or bunt and other strategy. The truth is a manager can make at least an incremental difference because of the moves under a manager's control.
Part of making a team better is to look at every area where it can improve. So if you can bring in an experienced manager such as Francona, you do it.
Does a new manager take the Tribe from this season's 94 losses to even an 80-82 season as they had in 2011? Obviously not.
But I like the idea of having an experienced manager with two World Series rings who has worked for other teams. He can bring clout to meetings with the front office.
He can't make them raise the payroll from this season's $65 million to $100 million. But he may be able to say, "Hey, bringing Johnny Damon into a season with no spring training just ain't gonna work . . . try something else."
Here's hoping Alomar remains with the Tribe as bench coach. But it wouldn't be a shock if he's hired elsewhere. He interviewed with three different teams in the past two years. His time to manage is coming very soon, and it would have happened here if Francona had not been interested.
Alomar does have a strong will and is willing to express his opinions. But he grew up in the Tribe's organization, and he would not have the background or big baseball picture view of Francona.
And with the Tribe making a major investment in Francona, they must take his opinions very seriously -- even if there is a stark contrast with their own.
While Francona was known as a guy who could handle veterans with major egos, he also is credited with helping young players such as Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester become successful major-leaguers.
That has been a recent issue with the Tribe. Prospects have strong performances in Class AAA, but then flounder with the Tribe.
Francona is a manager, not miracle worker. Before his Boston success, he had records of 68-94, 75-87, 77-84 and 65-97 in Philadelphia from 1997 to 2000.
So Francona knows it takes more than him being in the dugout to win.
But his hiring at least shows the Tribe is starting to think about doing business differently -- and spending some money, too.
And that is finally at least a sliver light in what was depressingly dark baseball season.

I imagine the budget is set for the 2013 Tribe. I doubt Dolan is kicking in any extra for Francona. So, he's leaving it up to Shapiro and Antonetti to take Francona's salary out of the budget plus paying Manny's remaining $1M.

Just means less for the players.

But Hafner and Sizemore frees up some bucks. Choo is probably out in the off season or mid season and Perez might be too much mouth for Francona to handle.

Just a shame they're spending it on a manager rather than the Lowes, Damons, Wheelers and Sloweys

Peter Gammons ‏@pgammo

Tony LaRussa based team culture on trust, respect, caring. Indians believe that is what they have brought in with Terry francona