Comments on: Give Leyland His Extension

By: Matt in Toledo

Matt in Toledo — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:04:54 +0000

I’d like to respectfully disagree, Mike. I think the reason the Tigers are holding off on extending him is they want to see what 2009 brings.

I think they expect it was a good team that ran into a perfect storm of poor performance and injuries. If it looks like they can work with their current core, tweak the defense and the bullpen and stay contenders beyond 2009, they will extend Leyland.

If 2009 proves the team is a dog that needs taken behind the woodshed, they will probably look to reload and do so with a fresh manager who has the stomach for the work that entails.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:05:48 +0000

Nicely put. I was sort of thinking that Leyland didn’t exactly earn an extension after last season (not that I was placing all the blame on him). After reading this, I definitely agree that I don’t want to be on the manager merry-go round.

By: Jim Craddock

Jim Craddock — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:44:02 +0000

I think the Tigers should give Leyland his extension–for one years, and a mutual option for the next two. This gives Leyland his security, and peace of mind. It gives the Tigers a hedge against another disaster like we experienced this year. Like Mike, I don’t think Leyland turned into Luis Pujols all of a sudden and I do think a measure of stability would help. But the big thing is improving the talent ON THE FIELD! Give Leyland a flexible, talented, healthy, and athletic roster and he’ll be fine. Give him a situation where he has to play up to four guys out of position to make a lineup, and there’s gonna be problems.

I think the same people that are calling for Leyland’s head now were many of the ones who were bummed that they didn’t have a Manager of the Year vote in 2006. The easiest thing in the world is to blame the manager, but there was epic failure in all areas this year. Leyland shoulders a portion of the blame, as do Dombrowski, Ilitch, the coaching staff, and especially the players. Despite the quick success of 2006, ther is no “Easy Button” for what has to be done, and that’s what pushing Leyland out would be.