saddles
No More "Bullpen Failure" - maybe
As a most difficult season winds down, Maddux, whose contract as pitching coach expires after the season, finds himself torn.
He said he would love to return to the Rangers for a seventh season. Manager Ron Washington has said he’d love for Maddux to return. Who wouldn’t? Under Maddux, the Rangers have posted the five lowest-season ERAs in the 20-year history of Globe Life Ballpark. And with word that Maddux planned to accompany Washington on MLB’s All-Star tour of Japan in November, it seemed like things were moving toward a resolution.
The situation, however, has become complicated in the last week. Much more so. For Maddux. And the Rangers.
Houston fired manager Bo Porter. Maddux, who previously interviewed for managerial jobs with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, acknowledged Thursday that he would be “very interested” in talking to the Astros about their position.
It’s an about-face for Maddux. He declined to interview for the Astros job two years ago when Porter was eventually hired. And with Nolan Ryan on the Astros’ unofficial search committee, Maddux, along with Rangers Triple-A manager Steve Buechele, will likely get strong endorsements for interviews.
Rangers bench coach Tim Bogar, who interviewed twice with Houston before Porter was hired, also figures to be a candidate.
It is time to find Ron Washington's replacement before Nolan raids us. That means it is time to fire Wash.