Phillies Nation

Baseball Clubs and Power Structures

Posted by Brian Michael, Tue, October 25, 2005 11:26 PM

Ok, we’re not here to replace ESPN or the Inquirer - that’s not what Phillies Nation is about.  So we’re not going to inundate you with the play by play of the Phillies GM race, we assume that business is taken care of before you get here.  However, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out a discrepancy in the news cycle related to this topic.  The Inky’s Todd Zolecki reports that, “Brian Cashman is out.”   NY Post, on the other hand, has yet to pull the trigger and claims the Yankees and B-Cash were ”contemplating two offers. One was for four years for $8.8 million; the other for three years at $5.6 million.”  Most likely, yes, Cashman will stay with the Yankees, but we’re not crossing him off the probables list until the final word is heard.

Our main candidate, meanwhile like Billy Wagner, is exploring other options.  Hunsicker has been heavily courted by Tampa Bay and talks have opened between the two sides.  If the Phillies miss out on a quality candidate to the Devil Rays because they’re waiting around (why are they waiting to interview people again?), I will be wholehearted pissed.  The D-Rays are a AAA franchise at best, while the Phils command the 4th highest payroll in the majors as well as one of the country’s largest markets.  Why aren’t they acting like the world class organization they could be.  If you want something and you have the resources, go out and get it before someone else does.  You don’t see the New York, Chicago or LA teams passively managing their ballclubs and neither should Philadelphia.  If Hunsicker is the guy, sign him by the week’s end.  He built a legitimate Astros team that beat the Phillies this year and should at least be courted on the level of Eddie’s father.

Speaking of Houston, I have a general baseball power struggle question.  Why didn’t Houston close the dome last night?  Forget Bud Selig and his mandate to open Minute Maid.  Sure, he has the authority to make the statement though MLB’s ”best interest clause,” but what enforcement mechanism does he have if Houston decides to close the the roof?  Just because Selig ordered BankOne Ballpark open in 2001, doesn’t make the precendent binding: baseball is not governed by the common law system.  Similarly, Bud can’t call the cops and make the guy pull the lever to open the roof and he sure as hell ain’t gonna make Houston forfeit the game.  Maybe a fine would be assessed but I’m sure the Astros organization would pick up the tab.  Therefore, the Astros management are fools for acquiescing to his demands without at least putting up a fight.

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