Gibbons to be Fired today, Gaston Hired

[The-Insider]

I wish Tom Cheeks was still around to call this

[Geddy]

Wow I can't believe this. I'm not sure if Cito will be able to turn it around but hey at least its better than having Gibbons.

I'm sure this move was done just to promote Flashback Fridays.

The Jays just signed Joe Carter and Pat Borders too

[Holmes]

Absolutely (Please Use More Appropriate Word). Completely solidifies Riccardi as an absolute clown. And to think it was supposed to be a joyous occasion after the long awaited dismissal of Gibbons.

[Schad]

Absolutely (Please Use More Appropriate Word). Completely solidifies Riccardi as an absolute clown. And to think it was supposed to be a joyous occasion after the long awaited dismissal of Gibbons.

Heh, 'absolutely (Please Use More Appropriate Word)' was my exact reaction, too. I saw the headline "Jays bring back Gaston" on MLB.com (I think), and thought that they had done something great, like give Gaston a long-overdue reward with a job in the front office. Then I opened the article, discovered that he's the new coach, and burst into laughter at work.

I think MB's right, though; this reeks of Godfrey more than Ricciardi, a marketing move by a team scrambling to find a way to ease plummeting attendance. Like people will show up in droves now that Gaston is in the dugout.

[Schad]

I'm hearing reports that JP initially offered the job to Billy Martin, switching to Plan B only when Martin failed to call him back about the position.

[evilRyu]

This seems like something Godfrey would endorse, not Ricciardi. If there's one constant with JP coaches, it's that the coaches are generally puppets. They lack experience and pretty much follow anything Ricciardi tells them. Gaston doesn't fit that mold. Gaston has nostalgic/sentimental value with Jays fans, and even if he's only here for the next four months, it's going to take much of the heat off the franchise for being mediocre again. I don't see how this benefits Ricciardi at all. If anything, it takes power away from him (which is a good thing).

The point of this whole thing appears to be marketing related. If the Jays do go on a huge run with Gaston, then they might be trapped into keeping both him and JP past 2008. I don't know if that's the plan (I hope it isn't).

On a serious note, I hope this means Derek Bell and Ed Sprague come back to revive "the Trenches". If we're going to party like it's 1992, we might as well do it in style.

Good post, and I agree with you that the decision may be JP's superiors... But I hate the fact that these types of decisions are based more on a marketing nature, as opposed to a competitive one.

[Geddy]

I'm hearing reports that JP initially offered the job to Billy Martin, switching to Plan B only when Martin failed to call him back about the position.

Glad it didn't go through with Martin.

Actually I'm surprised Cito took the job as well since he was pretty much trashed by many members of the media (like Steve Simmons) when he left the team.

[Schad]

I'm hearing reports that JP initially offered the job to Billy Martin, switching to Plan B only when Martin failed to call him back about the position.

Glad it didn't go through with Martin.

Actually I'm surprised Cito took the job as well since he was pretty much trashed by many members of the media (like Steve Simmons) when he left the team.

Agreed; Billy Martin really hasn't had the same passion and energy since 1989.

[Geddy]

how could i not notice that... thanks for making me look stupid

[Schad]

If you so desire, I can edit your post to call me on the "Billy Martin has been dead for nearly two decades" thing, then edit my own post to say something stupid, then edit your other post to say something about my stupid post. That's the power I wield.

[Geddy]

I am in awe of your power.

but that won't be necessary.

[Harry Palmer]

Oh, yeah, things look good.

For the record, I NEVER liked J.P. or the whole moneyball thing.

Well, there's several years wasted.

Anyways, re: this whole revival thing, please, for the love of all that's holy, don't bring back Fergie ****ing Oliver.

[Schad]

Oh, yeah, things look good.

For the record, I NEVER liked J.P. or the whole moneyball thing.

Well, there's several years wasted.

Anyways, re: this whole revival thing, please, for the love of all that's holy, don't bring back Fergie ****ing Oliver.

JP =/= Moneyball, despite his background in Oakland:

-He has consistently undervalued the farm system, and has made a habit of acquiring veteran stopgaps at inflated prices when cost-controlled youngsters could do almost as well for a fraction of the price...two of the things which Beane has preached against.

-He re-signed low-OBP Vernon Wells to a large contract rather than leveraging his performance to acquire youngsters.

-He (unsuccessfully) chased #2/3 starters in free agency like Matt Clement who wanted $10m a year to be barely above league-average (and that was in the NL).

-This week his primary criticism of Adam Dunn was that he strikes out too much, hits for a low average, and doesn't play with fire...all immaterial because he gets on base and hits 40+ HRs a year.

And ironically, he has achieved his greatest success by drafting an all-upside high school hitter.

JP's failings are all his own.

[Schad]

A little write-up by Jeff Blair about the change (link. Sounds like a few of the players weren't overly enthused with Gary Denbo's approach, most notably Matt Stairs. Patience is good, but constantly taking first-pitch fastballs down the middle is a great way to artificially deflate your slugging.

[tecumseh18]

-He re-signed low-OBP Vernon Wells to a large contract rather than leveraging his performance to acquire youngsters.

JP's failings are all his own.

Not so sure about that. I HATE to be in a position to defend JP, but I see Godfrey playing the meddling Dick Peddie role here. I think JP wanted to trade Vernon before the contract extension, but Godfrey interceded.

In other words, JP may still be around because he's the puppet. What other possible explanation could there be?