While I don’t think Matheny was anywhere near the worst, it’s at least a little telling that he was ranked in the middle of the pack, basically, coming off three straight playoff appearances?
The rankings that Brian referenced are interesting in that they’re listed as “Tactical and Strategic” rankings. That’s the area most have looked at Matheny as having need for improvement for years. I can’t say I disagree with that, necessarily.
So I guess the rankings don’t seem that off to me.
Top third clubhouse manager
+
Top third by record
+
Bottom third tactical manager
Adds up to around 10-15th in the league, depending on how you weight that. With the cracks beginning to show in the clubhouse, a guy who hasn’t been elite in a few years with the record and never has been great with the tactical stuff just ran out of goodwill rope. That’s how I see this. Scapegoat? I don’t think so. Absolutely had to go right now? I don’t think that either. But I can’t fault the front office for going the way they did, when they did.