FWIW - EVERY SINGLE host and analyst on XM today has called the move an utter joke. The funny thing about this is that they're right to a point. Really can't disagree with them when they say that this sure does smell like the brass is trying to deflect the attention that they put such a *hitty team together this season that NO ONE could've won more than a couple more games with this group - AND that they misled fans by creating unreachable expectations.
Again, this appears not to have anything to do with Fredi's Xs and Os - apparently. I understand (and even agree at times) when some people who are watching every inning of every game criticize some of his moves. It's understandable when people complain about Mallex not playing or leading off as well IMO. Even his questionable handling of the pen at times. The thing is, Hart didn't mention any of these as being concerns. He says "we need a new voice". I'm sorry, but a new voice isn't going to help this team win more games - this is a BAD team, and the only thing that's going to help it win more games is better players. Hart's just playing politics and speaking GM-Speak because admitting that would 1.) mean he's admitting they did a bad job cobbling the team together last winter and 2.) mean that they were outright lying when they tried to sell the idea that the team would be better than last season.
I think many of us understood that that's what they were doing all along, and that we were prepared to be really bad. The difference is that most people here aren't your typical "fans" - folks here pay much closer attention than your "average" or "typical" fan. However these "experts" who have a podium to shout from don't see the mistakes (in our opinions) that he often makes because they're not watching nearly as closely. Those guys somehow believe that Fredi's being "blamed" or made to be a "scapegoat" unfairly. From afar, that's kinda understandable - the brass didn't come out and list any reasons other than wanting a new voice in the clubhouse.
