Will ex-Mets manager Randolph get a second chance?

It took Willie Randolph 12 tries, a dozen interviews, to finally land a big-league managing job.

So now that Omar Minaya, the general manager who saw something in Randolph that 11 previous GMs did not, has dismissed Randolph, how likely is it that Randolph will get a second chance?

As we move forward from the shock and awe of the Mets' Midnight Massacre, the baseball intelligentsia will more fully evaluate Randolph's job performance with the Mets, and his culpability in what happened over his last year on the clock. But the early conventional wisdom seems to be that Willie will get an opportunity for redemption.

"I cannot tell you if Willie managed the Xs and Os of the game, because the game is so complex, and players' performances helps you succeed with that," e-mailed Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who has known Randolph since they played in the Pirates' minor-league system in 1972. "I do know some of the other criteria of a manager, Willie possesses: Passion, works hard, takes losses hard, knows the game, willing to learn and cares.

"If there are some things Willie could get better at I guarantee he will work at it. I am a big believer in second chances and I hope Willie gets that opportunity. I did not enjoy seeing what happened because I know both Willie and Omar, and I know they are both hurt by what transpired. I know we all want it to be a game, but let's face it, it is a tough business."

"I do think he will manage again," one official from an American League team opined, on the condition of anonymity. "He had a winning record in a tough environment, and I suspect someone will give him another shot in perhaps a little less intense atmosphere down the road."

Others around the industry expressed this sentiment, essentially: "I don't know, but I hope so."

Yes, if anything, the way the Mets botched the firing should help Randolph's case. Bad managing happens all of the time. But when a manager gets whacked as memorably as Randolph did, along with coaches Rick Peterson and Tom Nieto, people talk. The industry is abuzz over the way this went down.

Another factor in Randolph's favor: He has a strong ally in commissioner Bud Selig, for whom Randolph played with the 1991 Brewers. Selig didn't even attempt to hide his satisfaction when the Astros hired former Brewer Cecil Cooper as their manager last year. Owners often like to make the commissioner happy.

Randolph earned his dismissal, in this space's humble opinion, with the Mets' poor record over the last year. Yet he did excellent work in his first two seasons on the job, 2005 and 2006.

Of course, most managers, upon receiving a second chance, have to express public contrition, to explain what they learned about what went wrong the first time around (although, interestingly, new Mets skipper Jerry Manuel didn't really have to do that yesterday). Can Randolph, notorious for his stubbornness, perform that trick?



Here's the pitch

Look at the starting pitching that has been available on the trade front the past few Julys. Last year, Kyle Lohse, traded from the Reds to the Phillies, made the highest impact, In 2006, the Yankees did well by acquiring the now deceased Cory Lidle from the Phillies. And in 2005, the Yankees unwittingly struck gold when they imported Shawn Chacon from Colorado.

There haven't been many big names available, in other words. Yet this season, the landscape could look different. It could be a buyer's market, due to an abundance of available starters, albeit only one high-end guy. Cleveland seems likely to shop C.C. Sabathia - I don't see the Yankees paying the necessary price - as well as Paul Byrd. San Diego could shop Randy Wolf and Greg Maddux.

The Reds, looking to rebuild under new GM Walt Jocketty, could see what they get for Bronson Arroyo. And the Twins, unless they return to contention shortly, will see what they can get for Livan Hernandez. Perhaps Washington will shop impending free agent Tim Redding, although GM Jim Bowden often asks for too much. Throw in free agent Freddy Garcia, who hopes to be ready by August (rehabilitating from right shoulder surgery), and contending teams could have an interesting buffet of starting pitchers to help their clubs.



Last licks

Interesting assertion by Omar Minaya, that he didn't fire Randolph Sunday night because he would never fire someone in uniform. Last year, the Mets intended to dismiss hitting coach Rick Down when he reported to Shea Stadium the day after the All-Star break. But word leaked out the night before, so Down didn't have to do the "perp walk."

Officials from other clubs were particularly galled by the Mets' firing of Nieto, the first-base coach whose only crime was being Randolph's friend. It reminded one Yankees official of George Steinbrenner's desire to fire first-base coach Roy White, in 2005, because White "looked stoic" in the first-base coaching box.