Prospect Insider

The Don

By Jason A. Churchill

By 11-18-2008

The Seattle Mariners are reportedly within hours of naming Don Wakamatsu as their new manager.

Wakamatsu, 45, spent the past year as Bob Geren's bench coach in Oakland after serving in the same role in Texas for four years. He was the Rangers' third base coach a year prior to that, and has worked for five other clubs, including the Seattle Mariners, over the duration of his career.

Wakamatsu has minor league coaching and managerial experience, winning the California League Manager of the Year Award in 1998 at High Desert, then an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mavs went 82-58 that season.

He also managed the Mariners rookie club in Peoria in 1997 and his overall record as a minor league skipper stands at 215-248.

Wakamatsu also spent two years as the Anaheim Angels minor league coordinator and catching instructor, and is a former big-league catcher, albeit for just 32 plate appearances in 18 games in 1991 for the Chicago White Sox.

Wakamatsu brings a lot of character and a variety of baseball experiences to the table, and sure knows the rest of the American League West, having recently worked for all three other clubs - all this decade.

the-don

Comments
The following 8 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: DobberSr on 11-18-2008 13:42:23
Looks like a good choice to me. I just hope that whoever gets the job retains Jose Castro as Hitting Coach. He did a very nice job last year. I believe he should be given a chance to finish what he started in the second half of last season.

2. By: littlelinny6 on 11-18-2008 14:35:21
Jason, What do you think of this guy?? Will we see player development this year or are we more likely to see the likes of the Cairos and Bloomquists of the world playing because of their "veteran" presence??

3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 11-18-2008 14:57:32
We will see a strong eye toward PD regardless of who the field manager is. That comes from above the coaching staff and manager, it comes from Jack, and that's the plan.

From what I can gather, Wakamatsu was just as good a choice as any of the candidates and was immediately tossed in the finalist hat after being interviewed the first time.

He has the kind of background you'd like to see in a manager of a rebuilding club and he's held many different posts within several organizations.

I would imagine that there's no situation, scenario, player development plan or player conflict he hasn't already seen several times before.

It's impossible to say that he's going to do a great job, but he certainly has the character, training and experience to handle it very well, and that's all fans can ask their team to do, hire the best guy they can find. Wakamatsu seems to be that guy.

4. By: littlelinny6 on 11-18-2008 16:48:24
Jason that is great. As a life long M's fan I am always looking for the silver lining. Given that next year and even 2010 could be excrutiating at times to watch, it's good to know that the organization is changing philosphies at all levels of the totem pole.

5. By: Blowgun7 on 11-18-2008 17:41:49
I like the hire. Anyway, Jason, did you ever post your thoughts on the hiring of Jack? Maybe I missed it, but would love to hear your thoughts on the hire and what you've heard from people around baseball in regards to the hire

6. By: mrmitra on 11-18-2008 19:45:20
The news out of this is that our manager isn't Joey Cora. The decision to pass over the sentimental Cora is great considering previous decisions by former FOs to value popularity over competitiveness.

7. By: Jason A. Churchill on 11-19-2008 11:03:05
Blow, Actually, I haven't. I'll get to that soon. How about right after the pitcher and player of the year posts, which are going up today (a day late thanks to the Wak hiring) and tomorrow?

8. By: Plaws on 11-20-2008 13:33:11
I like all the things that I've heard about Wakamatsu, but his work ethic and expecting the players to put forth their own drive to improve and win is very encouraging. We'll see how that plays out. It sounds like Wak won't put up with players not giving their full effort. Makes me think that either an improvement in Lopez's (and others, but especially Lopez) abilities due to working harder or a change in his team will follow within a year. Also, something that's been lost in most of the reports is that he mentored Varitek (and several other C's though to what extent I don't know) and may be able to help Clement improve his game behind the dish. In regards to catching in general he should be able to have a hand in helping 3+ talented young catchers along just by next season. In general, if the team works as hard as it sounds Wakamatsu will demand, the improvement should be obvious. Add a half dozen+ good moves in changing the roster and maybe their belief that they can win now (without sacrificing the future) isn't so far fetched. We'll see, but it gives me reason to hope while I'm waiting to hear and see more.

You are not currently logged in. If you'd like to comment on this report, please log in.
Haven't created a Prospect Insider account yet? Sign up!