So, Brad Ausmus is back for next year....

Fuck that shit

Matt Millen 2.0.

Yay. Saved me 100's for next summer.

I really like the way Verlander handles Asmus when it's time to make a pitching change. That's hard to find in a manager these days....

Don't understand the vociferous anti Ausmus crowd. I guess just a figurehead to pin your frustrations on. I'd say he did pretty well with a flawed and tattered roster this year. Yes, maybe he's too by the books when it comes to managing the bullpen (which, ironically, I saw all over Twitter last night how Showalter could manage circles around Brad, and then Buck refused to bring Britton in in a non save situation and is being crucified this morning). But if you think the way he manages the bullpen was the difference between finishing 1 game out of the WC and winning the Central with that roster you are kidding yourself.

tTy wrote:

I'm out. I hope they go 42-120.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:Don't understand the vociferous anti Ausmus crowd. I guess just a figurehead to pin your frustrations on. I'd say he did pretty well with a flawed and tattered roster this year. Yes, maybe he's too by the books when it comes to managing the bullpen (which, ironically, I saw all over Twitter last night how Showalter could manage circles around Brad, and then Buck refused to bring Britton in in a non save situation and is being crucified this morning). But if you think the way he manages the bullpen was the difference between finishing 1 game out of the WC and winning the Central with that roster you are kidding yourself.

My issue is less about how he handles the bullpen and the fact that at $200 million in payroll they didn't make the playoffs. I guess I could blame the GM but they fired one of those last year. I guess I could blame the 25 players on the active roster, but you can't fire them all. And I guess I could blame the owner but why do that when he is willing to spend $200 million in payroll?

Ausmus had a shot. They've under performed every year under him. Bringing him back is the very definition of insanity.

The reason Asmus has a job next year is Dave Dombrowski.

TheReal_LWS wrote:

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:Don't understand the vociferous anti Ausmus crowd. I guess just a figurehead to pin your frustrations on. I'd say he did pretty well with a flawed and tattered roster this year. Yes, maybe he's too by the books when it comes to managing the bullpen (which, ironically, I saw all over Twitter last night how Showalter could manage circles around Brad, and then Buck refused to bring Britton in in a non save situation and is being crucified this morning). But if you think the way he manages the bullpen was the difference between finishing 1 game out of the WC and winning the Central with that roster you are kidding yourself.

My issue is less about how he handles the bullpen and the fact that at $200 million in payroll they didn't make the playoffs. I guess I could blame the GM but they fired one of those last year. I guess I could blame the 25 players on the active roster, but you can't fire them all. And I guess I could blame the owner but why do that when he is willing to spend $200 million in payroll?

Ausmus had a shot. They've under performed every year under him. Bringing him back is the very definition of insanity.

Say I am starting a new message board. I decide that in order to drive traffic I am going to pay some people to post content on that board. I dole out $200 million to The Dude, Bob, Giant Moose and blanch to post on my board. I hire Travis to moderate the board. When the board inevitably goes under - it's Travis' fault? Or should maybe I have spent that money a little bit smarter?

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:

TheReal_LWS wrote:

My issue is less about how he handles the bullpen and the fact that at $200 million in payroll they didn't make the playoffs. I guess I could blame the GM but they fired one of those last year. I guess I could blame the 25 players on the active roster, but you can't fire them all. And I guess I could blame the owner but why do that when he is willing to spend $200 million in payroll?

Ausmus had a shot. They've under performed every year under him. Bringing him back is the very definition of insanity.

Say I am starting a new message board. I decide that in order to drive traffic I am going to pay some people to post content on that board. I dole out $200 million to The Dude, Bob, Giant Moose and blanch to post on my board. I hire Travis to moderate the board. When the board inevitably goes under - it's Travis' fault? Or should maybe I have spent that money a little bit smarter?

First of all, it is always Travis' fault.

Second of all, you are blaming Mr. I?

TheReal_LWS wrote:

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:

Say I am starting a new message board. I decide that in order to drive traffic I am going to pay some people to post content on that board. I dole out $200 million to The Dude, Bob, Giant Moose and blanch to post on my board. I hire Travis to moderate the board. When the board inevitably goes under - it's Travis' fault? Or should maybe I have spent that money a little bit smarter?

First of all, it is always Travis' fault.

Second of all, you are blaming Mr. I?

I'm blaming Victor for clogging the bases up.

It's just a poorly constructed team. I guess Avila couldn't have known Mark Lowe was going to turn to shit, but that's how he chose to spend his money in the bullpen. He also chose to spend money to bring in Zimmerman and Pelfrey to fill out his rotation. I know Zimmerman was solid to start the year, but that was fool's gold. I watch a lot of MLB and Zimmerman has been garbage for a while now. Pelfrey speaks for itself.

I don't really demand accountability for this team but if I were forced to, yes, the blame would go something like 60% on the front office.

Get your shirts here:

Fire Brad

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:It's just a poorly constructed team. I guess Avila couldn't have known Mark Lowe was going to turn to shit, but that's how he chose to spend his money in the bullpen. He also chose to spend money to bring in Zimmerman and Pelfrey to fill out his rotation. I know Zimmerman was solid to start the year, but that was fool's gold. I watch a lot of MLB and Zimmerman has been garbage for a while now. Pelfrey speaks for itself.

I don't really demand accountability for this team but if I were forced to, yes, the blame would go something like 60% on the front office.

Good point. I think the wheels started to come off when Scherzer told us to kick rocks. Plus you get on the downside of Cabrera's career (though that is still better than 90% of the players out there). I think getting rid of Porcello was a bad idea. No one knew that Anibal would turn into hot garbage. This staff went from the best rotation and a so-so bullpen to a so-so rotation and a so-so bullpen.

Avila is in year 1, I can't really throw shade at him yet. The only hold over at this point is Ausmus.

TheReal_LWS wrote:

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:It's just a poorly constructed team. I guess Avila couldn't have known Mark Lowe was going to turn to shit, but that's how he chose to spend his money in the bullpen. He also chose to spend money to bring in Zimmerman and Pelfrey to fill out his rotation. I know Zimmerman was solid to start the year, but that was fool's gold. I watch a lot of MLB and Zimmerman has been garbage for a while now. Pelfrey speaks for itself.

I don't really demand accountability for this team but if I were forced to, yes, the blame would go something like 60% on the front office.

Good point. I think the wheels started to come off when Scherzer told us to kick rocks. Plus you get on the downside of Cabrera's career (though that is still better than 90% of the players out there). I think getting rid of Porcello was a bad idea. No one knew that Anibal would turn into hot garbage. This staff went from the best rotation and a so-so bullpen to a so-so rotation and a so-so bullpen.

Avila is in year 1, I can't really throw shade at him yet. The only hold over at this point is Ausmus.

The Procello deal eventually got us Fulmer - so that's a wash.