Welcome to the weird new world of the free-agent manager, in which the fellows traditionally hired to be fired start to exert some control and extract some revenge. Thursday, the New York Post offered a scenario in which Valentine would leave the New York Mets to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Piniella fleeing Seattle for Shea Stadium in a possible package deal with star shortstop Alex Rodriguez. The Daily News, not to be out-scooped, countered with informed speculation concerning a possible deal between the Mets and Dusty Baker, who has been feeling unloved in the wake of the San Francisco Giants' playoff slaughter by the Mets. Given the Mets' continuing presence in the playoffs, it all seemed a little strange. What happens, innocents asked, if Valentine wins the World Series.
All bets are off.
Used to be, managers worked at the pleasure of upper management. Walter Alston managed the Dodgers for 23 seasons, from 1954 through 1976, and he never had more security than a one-year contract. Lately, however, the leverage see-saw has shifted. As the going rate goes up, the more confident managers are inclined to let their contracts expire in order to see what the market will bear. When the Mariners approached Piniella about an extension last winter, and again in the spring, he put them off rather than negotiate in a one-bidder vacuum.