Hypothetically, if Boston slumps their way out of the playoffs, do you fire Francona? Odds are someone's head will roll.
They have an option on Francona's contract they haven't picked up yet. Barring a big post season run and turnaround, I think Tito's days as Sox manager are over. It's very obvious some chnage needs to be made, and it would not surprise me if he's one of them.
I'm a believer in intangibles and chemistry, and I know that makes all the number nerds uncomfortable. When Tito first started managing the Red Sox, we had several strong personalities known as the "idiots," and I feel Francona, a reserved guy, was a perfect compliment to a rowdy bunch like that. He handles the media well and limits the P.R. damage, which especially came in handy when dealing with Manny Ramirez.
As great as Francona is with the media, I don't think he's a great in game manager, and Jim may disagree with me on that. He pulls out pitchers way too late and overworks bullpens, and we have lost more extra innings games with him than won because he doesn't know how to manage for small ball nor does he preach fundamentals, or at least it appears that way to me.
This current batch of Red Sox, minus Pedroia, Papelbon, and maybe a few others, are mostly low key J.D. Drew types and I really feel they would benefit from a manager with more fire in his belly and will outwardly chew somebody out for making mistakes. This team right now is out of shape, and I mean that in the literal physical sense, and I would love to see somebody chew them out and get them into shape. I don't think Tito's that guy.
