What Happened to Player-Managers in MLB?

[@BaseballHistorian]

This new guy sounds like a nerd.

[@uniqueishot]

ikr

[@tommybreeze5476]

What a relief!

[@elBorrachoGuapo]

Andrew McCutchen is my suggestion. Popular with players and fans, he's 35 and injuries have seen his role diminish on the field. But he's still athletic and his OPS+ continues to be in triple digits. He won't find a contract that lets him play another 5 seasons, but he could probably give one or two hundred ABs/yr into his 40s.

[@jakedasnake7703]

Maybe he could return to the pirates and do just that. We need a solid veteran presence for that team so bad rn and considering he’s the main reason why he potentially saved baseball in Pittsburgh it honestly sounds like a perfect fit!!

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@jakedasnake7703 Derrek Shelton is good enough under the current circumstances--it would be unfair to unceremoniously dump him for Cutch rn while the team is still deep in a rebuilding phase

[@ShakeItLittleTina]

@@warlordofbritannia True, but maybe by the time that Cutch is old enough to be a manager, say five ten years out, it would be at least slightly viable

[@E_xe2]

yes! I agree, he can run too, hits the ball hard and wouldn't need to be in the outfield, instead he could be dh.

[@slashismyhommie8182]

Ya, but who's he playing for? Last year he was a Phillie, are you suggesting he signed with the Pirates to be that?

[@Bman1837]

I know he’s retired but Posey would be a perfect match

[@RockiesCanada]

I agree. Mostly retire him from catcher duties and make him a pinch-hitter/back-up catcher and that would be ideal. He's gotta have a great strategic brain

[@jessewidner2156]

As a Giants fan I approve this message. Was gonna say the same thing. Also, from a past Giants team I think JT Snow would have been good near the end of his career.

[@Karmy.]

Or Cameron Maybin

[@giantblossom2349]

Brett Gardner could also be a player manager under your criteria

[@chriscolarusso6207]

If the yanks resign him. He's currently not a yankee

[@retro_retro_retro]

Baseball Historian, and Stark Raving Sports!?!?! this Has to be one of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind.

[@loftonvlogsquad5803]

Vogt is my guy. He’s old, so player-manager is a reach but he would be an amazing manager and is a good backup catcher.

[@dansawyer4332]

Yep. This is the one I was thinking of. This guy will 100% be fast-tracked to manager somewhere as soon as he retires from playing.

[@ImTheRealSlimShaney]

I feel like a pitcher would be smart choice. They can still be an asset to the team while also being very involved in strategy and analytics. They don’t play every day so they are available to manage most of the time.

[@fredfrederickson]

That’d be interesting if it was a relief pitcher lol would they manage from the pen or from the dugout and then run to the pen to go warm up lmao?

[@dansawyer4332]

@@fredfrederickson He could warm up in the tunnel.

[@croke835]

I could definitely see a starting pitcher taking a role like this, someone like Kershaw if he wasn’t already on a well managed team

[@andrewtorres3767]

Kershaw would be a better manager then dave roberts

[@Bc232klm]

Roberts isn't great. He's riding the coattails of an historically great team.

[@thegoodfella2045]

@@Bc232klm thAt much ?

[@nickparadies350]

I wonder if the next player manager will actually be the reverse, one of these younger managers who starts using himself as a bench player. Say for example, the Giants next year have a rash of injuries and they need outfield help bad, Kapler unretires and plays games in the outfield while still managing the team. Maybe we see a scenario like that.

[@joemckim1183]

I can see a player/coach in a scenario like that more than a player/manager.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Ryan Zimmerman has essentially been the Nationals franchise since Day 1 He's long had a reputation as an intelligent, respected player, and he's not been a regular for several years now already, due to age and accumulated injuries So yeah I agree--if anyone is likely to be a player-manager, Zimmerman has the best chance and brightest prospects of doing so and doing so successfully In fact, with the Nats in a rebuilding phase and about to bottom out, there's really nothing to lose in doing so, assuming the offer is made to Zimmerman and he would accept it

[@Sherwodblack1992]

Joey Votto is such a good pick. Managing the team and Pinch hitting. One of the smartest guys in baseball and has kept himself healthy and in shape.

[@billnye1329]

Albert Pujols came to my mind first for a new player manager

[@jacksonpowers3947]

Same here

[@SportStorm23]

With that criteria, this means Wil Myers must be a player manager

[@bread44]

We love Wil Myers

[@byronsimmons2737]

I think I would choose wainwright over yadi for the cardinals, he has a similar type of respect from players and the team, as well as a good understanding of the game, and would only be pitching every 5 days instead of being an everyday player

[@aaronlowinger4465]

Nobody in mlb understands the game like yadi - he’s the easiest choice of a player that can play a lot and manage

[@elBorrachoGuapo]

Thumbs up for the King Kelly story alone. I already know I'm going to like this video.

[@ParkersFranks]

Miguel Rojas reigns supreme as he has already managed two games.

[@neilgross7033]

The A's currently have a managerial opening. I recommend Jed Lowrie. He is nearing the end of his career and only playing part time. He is a pretty well-liked player among Oakland fans. The organization must like him as well as they acquired him three separate times. He is supposed to be a great clubhouse guy - I think I read that the A's traded for him in 2016 largely to heal a fractured clubhouse.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Good video and all but it would've been better if you kept that picture of Kapler up the whole time

[@AirtimeThrills]

Clayton Kershaw would be a good option with the Dodgers currently

[@crlarkin95]

Yadi was so perfect! I thought for sure that was going to be the move when they got rid of Schildt and Molina announced this would be his last season (and presumably wants to coach afterwards)

[@jdolla7733]

Matt Carpenter seems logical to me. His years of uneven dominance are seemingly over and now he is a pinch hitter. I’m no Cardinals fan but its clear that Carpenter is a fan favorite that has had a real rough time being still effective recently. If anyone else can do it, It should be Matt Carpenter

[@joemckim1183]

Matt Carpenter used to be one of my fave players but he shouldn't be on an MLB roster anymore as a player.

[@BBall0027]

If he decides go back to Atlanta instead of leaving this offseason and sticks around for a few more years (like the six-year contract that he is looking for), I could see Freddie Freeman taking that role in the middle part of the decade, in the final two years of that six-year deal.

[@joemckim1183]

The amount of money that Freeman would be making on that contract would require him to still be a big factor as a player. Superstar player contracts are a lot higher than manager salaries. Hard to justify paying a manager 25-30 million a year. And superstar players tend to make terrible managers.

[@ryank5761]

No

[@DPK365]

As a Nats fan, this would be awesome to see! I just want Zim to stay around in some capacity with us.

[@homerunproductions162]

Great history lesson, hard to believe the role of the regular player manager went all the way through the 1950s. When Mattingly left the Dodgers, I thought AJ Ellis would have been a REALLY strong candidate for player manager

[@isaacanderson7160]

I think Joe Mauer would be an interesting one, he might be too far gone on the performance department but his connection to the Minnesota fan base and front office is unmatched

[@DeidaraOfTheAkatsuki]

Kyle Seager, respected, loved, and has been with the M’s through the good and down right horrible. Definition of an average player. Still has pop and is viewed as a leader and unofficial captain for the M’s.

[@aaronlowinger4465]

Management said their getting rid of him after his contract expired

[@SanFranFan30]

Yadi Molina would actually be a perfect Player-Manager, dude is not that good anymore.

[@pranavarora9976]

Can't believe I had to scroll this far down to see Yadi mentioned. He's the most likely candidate imo.

[@Booshie]

@@pranavarora9976 Either him or Martin Maldonado, both declining at the plate with excellent knowledge of the game, plus they're well liked

[@A3Hoops]

I vividly remember Russell Martin doing player manager roles with gibbons sacked

[@Booshie]

Martin Maldonado is a perfect candidate for the Astros - well liked in the clubhouse, great knowledge of the game, and is about replacement level at the plate so the managerial duties aren't being placed on a star. He checks all 4 requirements you made

[@MildlySlopedRoofsKill]

The last player-manager gambled on and against his own team and was banished forever. Now there are no more player-mangers. Crazy.

[@fredfrederickson]

I thought that they never found any evidence of him betting against his own team

[@MildlySlopedRoofsKill]

@@fredfrederickson I thought he had admitted it in his most recent confession. But he’s changed his story so many times now, who knows?

[@qfmarsh64]

@@MildlySlopedRoofsKill if he did, he'll never admit it. The only thing separating him from the Black Sox is that he never threw games. If he had, he's done forever. I don't think it's ever been seriously alleged, though. However, one can interpret that games in which he chose not to bet on the Reds were a tacit admission that he didn't think they would win, allowing the wise guys he worked with to set their wagers accordingly.

[@seppshlllearningcenter419]

@@MildlySlopedRoofsKill I seem to recall him stated every time that he never betted against his own team.

[@TzionCannon]

I listened to your thoughts on a manager, and the first thought I had was Brandon Crawford. Similar reasons to Zimmerman, with the World Series wins and declining play, but I heard Zimmerman and thought “huh, that’s a lot better than what I was thinking.”

[@diggsfather]

crawford is still too good

[@TzionCannon]

@@diggsfather he definitely had a very good season last year too- but as soon as the Giants call up a reasonably competent middle infielder he’ll split duties.

[@Twink5]

Anthony Rizzo, that is all

[@SuperBrewdog]

As a Braves fan if I had to pick 1 player to be manager/player under the rules you gave it's really tough because we have a ton of young smart players but none really fitting the description... so I'd have to bend the rules and go with Chipper Jones only because he's probably the closest... he spent his entire HOF career with the Braves, super smart player who knows the game, Ultimate team captain (volunteering to change from 3B to OF in order to give the Braves the best overall lineup w/V. Castilla), Beloved by all Braves fans, not sooo old for it to be just stupid if he were to PH in a game, Still looks like he's in great shape, and many more.... But he is obviously too old to be a serious consideration but just the best choice under the description you wanted. Great video, thanks for putting it together.

[@danclancy6899]

Just going to be honest, the gaints didn’t win because of Kapler. They won because of all their players basically had a career year or a solid year.

[@Daniel-ed9gn]

I’m a nats fan and was thinking of zimm throughout. Also, he’s too young and too good, but I recall one day right before the trade deadline the nationals had a covid outbreak and were missing some coaches, and Kyle Schwarber filled in as a bench coach. Maybe someday towards the end of his career he could do this.

[@yoboypoptart6192]

For the Reds it’s gotta be Joey Votto

[@Nascarfan-ir8nv]

I choose my boy Zim I love him he definitely the best fit for that role plus he's looking at helping out the team in a way next season

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Won't happen...managers and coaches spend nearly all their time on game preparation...and nearly all of today's players also spend nearly all of their time on game preparation or on working out/staying in shape, the time crunch would be too hard to overcome...I'd guess if it were to happen, it would have to be a very good/great player being close to retirement, or a backup who is a " good in the clubhouse " type...but he'd have to quit playing relatively quickly And dealing with the media is a huge part of the job...not many players have the patience/personality to do that effectively. Some people shouldn't be the boss, either Ryan Zimmerman a player/manager?! Might work, if he has the temperment.

[@BaseballAF]

What a cool concept I love it

[@SanFranFan30]

If I had to pick one for the Giants it would probably have to be Brandon Belt or Brandon Crawford

[@vaughnmild7563]

This idea was kicked around on Chicago's Southside for about a second with ex 1stB/DH Paul Konerko during his last few seasons with the White Sox.

[@TheChainChasers]

Zimmerman is a good pick that I never would have thought of

[@brahemedays2914]

The Player-Manager position does seem like a great privilege and tradition for older guys to live out the tail end of their biggest contracts with dignity.

[@PoloDavey]

this is why i love baseball. it still happens in low league European soccer

[@lonewolf2point069]

Not an active player but current cubs manager David Ross. He's not terribly old at 44 and is familiar with the fan base and players. Also he was never really a starter and the cubs in '21 really needed help at catcher and just a veteran in general.

[@hrgames6978]

if scherzer does it hes pitching nine innings every time

[@paradiseracer2437]

He's gonna start arguing with himself when he gives up a run in the 8th and while telling himself he needs to get out of the game he will be refusing to do so.

[@ajurado800]

As a Giants fan I can't recommend any of our active players as PMs, but I would absolutely send in Gabe Kapler to pinch hit.

[@enjikap1217]

they should make a "manager of the players" position for team members that can be considered representatives of the the players in official business

[@brandontravisano904]

David Wright would’ve been so great if he was still around. Couldn’t stop thinking abt that this whole video.

[@davee.9906]

Gabe Kapler must've learned a lot in Philadelphia. Too bad he didn't blossom until the year after we fired him. But hey we got Joe Girardi and he's done nothing special but he was a Yankee so there's that. Leave it to Philly to fire a guy at the worst time possible.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Kap did well considering he only had half a good team in Philly--expectations were unrealistic, especially for a dude in his first managing gig

[@jacksonpowers3947]

Surprised I’ve only seen one other person say pujols, dude has been in the league forever, obviously extremely well respected all time great with a ton of knowledge, he could just be a pinch hit/DH hitter which would be perfect because almost all of his time would still be on the bench managing

[@calekarr10]

Yadier Molina without question. The clubhouse loves him, he handles the pitching staff better than anyone, and he could squeeze another 2 or 3 years out of those knees before calling it quits. It's a win for everyone.

[@aaronproctor3623]

I'd have to go with Adam Wainwright. Solid veteran, fan favorite, clubhouse staple. And as a pitcher that already lowers the playtime issue.

[@orangehoof]

The next player-manager would likely be for an AL club because the DH allows you to put the game on autopilot and take a nap for at least 90 minutes. It's Baseball For Dummies. The only strategy is when to pull the pitcher.

[@andrewsells3420]

this really needs to come back

[@aaronreinsmith6136]

As a Rockies fan, I would say Charlie Blackmon would fit the criteria perfectly.

[@JC-hi8fk]

“Why is *insert fun thing* not a part of baseball anymore?” “Analytics”

[@f_zed4068]

They timed this to when buck showalter became Mets manager , I see how you do SRS i see

[@ryancarroll1697]

Brett Gardner is the only option for the Yankees, but other guys that I think qualify are Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Trey Mancini, Wil Myers, Andrew McCutchen or Jed Lowrie

[@bartman7181]

I think Ryan Zimmerman would be a fantastic player/manager

[@bartman7181]

got to the end of the video...wtf

[@LilGoober]

This is perfect for Jeff Mathis, it’s his time

[@paradiseracer2437]

Baseball Bits needs to get on this

[@mildsuffering4734]

Jeff mathis would be perfect for this

[@CmMlbTV]

Bro I’d take Brett Gardner over Boone in a second

[@J_Money3]

I feel like Buster Posey or Brandon belt for the giants would be my picks mainly cause they’ve been with the team for like a decade plus ….(and be i know posey just retired but he could still play if he wanted too )

[@TheRoundTheLeaguePodcast]

David Ross in 2016 was as close as you have gotten recently

[@jedidr4918]

Kevin Kiermaier: Veteran check, Popular eh (with Tampa fans yes), smart yes, good but not too good definitely check.

[@booradley6832]

Adley Rutschman. He's been playing for like 8 months now, that's veteran enough.

[@travisfletcher6342]

I am trying to think of a starting pitcher who would be able to manage, considering the position only calls for an on-field presence in 1/5 of games maximim. I would like to say Scherzer might be able to, especially with that paycheck lol. I would also say Miguel Rojas could manage. Mattingly has handed managerial duties to Rojas on the final game of the year two seasons in a row and had praise for how he handled the role.

[@paradiseracer2437]

Ian Happ would definitely be it for the Cubs. May not be the most experienced player on the team. But his skills are not required everyday and he is very smart in the way of baseball. I think he'd make a pretty good Player-Manager

[@philarends7555]

Happ would make a good agent.

[@pride_nl2785]

Damn 2021 Buster was a good fit, sadly retired, but 2021 he'd catch 2 days, get a day or 2 off, hence saving his knees and him performing like an all-star, but sadly he's retired

[@_buckscontent_]

As a Reds fan I have multiple, Aramis Garcia (vet, Catcher, not used often), Kyle Farmer (vet, SS, can be a good part timer, high bsbl IQ), and Joey Votto (do I even have to explain?) but my vote goes to Farmer

[@lonewolfjedi493osswfan]

I think the only logical candidates for my team, the Dodgers, would be either Austin Barnes or Clayton Kershaw. Barnes is not the every day catcher as that duty is Will Smith's, and Kershaw only plays once every 5 or 6 days

[@cheflos]

Kersh when he re-signs, he doesn’t play everyday as a pitcher and he’s still pretty good

[@chrisspenner1168]

Nelson Cruz would be another good choice

[@jackstevens585]

I’m a lifetime Twins fan! I hope they bring him back in some capacity. Nelson Cruz would have been my choice!

[@kingpm9072]

See as a rangers fan, I’d definitely take either Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, or Elvis Andrus. Mainly Michael Young, especially if he was still playing. As for who you were gonna say was the perfect match?? I thought you were gonna say Brett Gardner for a sec lmao

[@dom.rockchalkjayhawk.8990]

My favorite team. Salvador perez. Moves to a pt dh. But i think the perfect option is albert pujols

[@schroederk9086]

He doesn’t play for us anymore, but bringing back Adam Jones as a bench player/manager would be a great idea

[@matthewdixon3694]

“Fellow Alleged dirtbag, Ty Cobb.” Lol

[@slimphotog]

You have pitching coaches, hitting coaches, GMs, assistant GM, bench coaches, first and third base coaches. Manager is kind of redundant.

[@squelch3000]

Unretire Posey, make him rest even more, and let him work

[@warlordofbritannia]

Funny thing, Pete Rose was actually a good manager The year after he was banned, the Reds won the World Series under Lou Pinella using basically the same roster Rose had brought into being Pete gave jobs to guys like Barry Larkin and Eric Davis and turned a team that had bottomed out after the Big Red Machine finally broke down into a consistent contender in hardly a year tbh, if Rose doesn't have a gambling addiction, he eventually goes down as one of the 15 greatest managers of all-time imo

[@mjrt34]

Pete Rose was a bench manager. He didnt control the roster. He managed the roster but did not acquire, release, promote, or demote players.

[@tad1980]

Probably free agency and strengthening of MLB union in 1970s has something to do with this too - hard for players to pull double duty as management these days

[@m00nshoez]

I think bringing rizzo back to chicago as a player manager would actually be good for him and the club (at the right price). Keep schwindy on first and let rizzo not be an everyday player would most likely prolong his career and still be able to bring in some runs where it mattered. Plus he seems like a pretty smart dude. Albeit i like ross a lot honestly. And this would make more sense in say 2-3 years.

[@paradiseracer2437]

Don't get me wrong. Rizzo is amazing and dearly missed. And he fits a lot of the criteria. He is also very smart. But I just don't think he's very baseball analytics smart. But he is definitely loved in Chicago and his skilled wouldn't be required everyday so on those pieces your right. But personally I think Ian Happ would make a better Player-Manager. He's well likes, knows a lot about the sport, isn't so good he's needed everyday, only thing is he's still pretty young.

[@studogable]

Didn't know Torre started as a player-manager. Interesting.

[@TheTEN24]

I think a backup catcher would make the best player manager personally. Don’t have one off the top of my head but just a thought

[@brandontravisano904]

Tomas nido would be great, you’re right

[@slaymyface1357]

I can see pujols being a player manager, he still rakes pff lefties batting around .400 agaisnt them, but only in the sub .200s against righties he could easily platoon

[@thelastmanonearth2631]

Can't really say Yadier Molina because he's still kinda "too good," but that can't last another 2-3 seasons and he'd make a great spell catcher, or the personal catcher for one pitcher on the staff. I don't think anyone questions his knowledge, popularity or standing within the organization. So, to me, by 2023 or 24, I think Yadi is the best choice.

[@williamrandle3217]

Great video

[@Kreindlma]

Kyle Hendricks. Not only a literal (sort of) professor, but as a starting pitcher he's "off" 4 out of every few be games anyway

[@איתןשי]

In one of my OOTP20 saves I convinced Ichiro Suzuki out of retirement to be a player-bench coach for my REALLY young side

[@Andy-wt3nb]

Matt Carpenter for the Cardinals, spent his whole career with them, strong connection as his 11 year career has only been with the cardinals. His career is ending as well. He wouldn't be a bad option.

[@rafaeltorres-rivera1669]

Yadier Molina is the real pitching coach of the cards

[@JB-wh3we]

Lmao this one fooled me. Was not expecting the greedy capitalist owner angle 😂 Can confirm: there were no player/managers in the Gulag.

[@fetahuan]

This will be Shoheis demand in FreeAgency, (why be the Twowayplayer, when a Threeway is possible) - like it was his demand to be a 2-way-player

[@woebegone_jabroni]

there aren't really many veteran players on the blue jays right now so i'll say ryu should be player-coach because koreans are smart

[@YungJ]

Brett Gardner would be another great candidate for present day player manager.

[@rabbi4skin666]

As a braves fan there isnt too much to pick from besides maybe freddie freeman

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

Ichiro near the end. Don't let the translator fool you, he spoke fluent English.

[@andrewbarrett9706]

From a dodger fan, Clayton kershaw

[@joemckim1183]

Managing in the current MLB era is too time consuming to also spend the time on the field. Especially in an era of sabermetrics. All of the time spent on off the field issues wouldn't leave enough time to spend on getting ready to play doing things like batting practice and fielding practice.