Indians should just say no to Torey Lovullo

The Cleveland Indians interviewed their third candidate, triple-A manager Torey Lovullo, today in their ongoing attempt to hire their next manager. Let's just get the obvious out there right now. Lovullo knows the players. He said it over and over during the presser, and it was blatantly obvious that it was the central focus of his meetings today with Indians brass.

Gee Torey, really?

You mean to tell me that after eight years of managing in the Indians system, you are "familiar with the setting." Wow, that's really coming up with some unique views. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure what was more inane, listening to Lovullo talk about his familiarity with the system, or the Indians even putting Lovullo through the interview process to begin with.

This may just be me, but don't you think that the Indians might have a bit of knowledge about a guy they've been grooming for the better part of the past decade? Oh, sure, they are going through a 'process,' but talk about a giant waste of time. Either the Indians know Lovullo's philosophy as a manager, or they are just found out, in which case they are brain dead. The word is still out on that one.

I will say that Lovullo gave one good answer that I could hang my hat on if the Tribe brass decides to hire Wedge-lite.

"Another belief of mine is to get a lineup up there as fast as I can and then stick to it. Of course, you have to have a couple of plug-in guys, and you have to keep your bench sharp, but I believe in using the same lineup and the same batting order as much as I can."

No doubt Lovullo was addressing the fact that Wedge changed lineups more than John Mayer dumped Jennifer Anniston. Of course, it's likely that all the other managers will follow that philosophy, since they seem to be sane individuals. Well, Bobby Valentine may not be sane, but he knows how to manage.

It's time for Shapiro to admit that he screwed up with regards to Manuel, and needs to look for someone who has the potential to be a winner, and not necessarily a robot.

Bobby Valentine anyone?...