Hayashi out. Gilbert in?
Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 9:09 pm
San Juan has announced it will not renew the contract of manager Tadakuni Hayashi and fired him effectively immediately.
While Hayashi oversaw the franchise ending a 12-year playoff drought - making the postseason the past two years with Rio Grande - the transition to San Juan did not go as smoothly. The Coqui ended the season on a 7-26 skid after battling for first place in the Trans Atlantic Division in August.
Insiders in the Coqui organization say the most damaging aspect for Hayashi was the pitching staff falling apart down the stretch. Pitching was an area Hayashi is believed to be strong in.
However, the same sources say that even before the team's downfall, new General Manager Mike Best had taken a liking to the more fiery Jesus Gilbert who has led the team's AAA affiliate to three consecutive first place finishes. In fact, Gilbert has been at the helm for 12 division winners in his 19 years in the minor leagues. The Coqui reportedly have offered Gilbert the big league job provided the 62-year old doesn't decide to retire.
Gilbert was once described by a former player as "a stick of dynamite in a baseball uniform," which is a far cry from the vanilla personality of Hayashi. Gilbert also has a solid reputation of developing hitters, which was the biggest problem for San Juan this past season.
While Hayashi oversaw the franchise ending a 12-year playoff drought - making the postseason the past two years with Rio Grande - the transition to San Juan did not go as smoothly. The Coqui ended the season on a 7-26 skid after battling for first place in the Trans Atlantic Division in August.
Insiders in the Coqui organization say the most damaging aspect for Hayashi was the pitching staff falling apart down the stretch. Pitching was an area Hayashi is believed to be strong in.
However, the same sources say that even before the team's downfall, new General Manager Mike Best had taken a liking to the more fiery Jesus Gilbert who has led the team's AAA affiliate to three consecutive first place finishes. In fact, Gilbert has been at the helm for 12 division winners in his 19 years in the minor leagues. The Coqui reportedly have offered Gilbert the big league job provided the 62-year old doesn't decide to retire.
Gilbert was once described by a former player as "a stick of dynamite in a baseball uniform," which is a far cry from the vanilla personality of Hayashi. Gilbert also has a solid reputation of developing hitters, which was the biggest problem for San Juan this past season.