It's the circle of life. One baseball season ends, another begins.
But between that ending and beginning is the annual silly season, where rumors erupt across the Internet. Rumors about free agent signings, trades, and the like blossom like flowers, regardless of their merit.
The Reds will be the subject of many of these rumors over the coming off-season, as the team searches for a new manager and sees its' roster re-shaped by free agency.
Here's an initial round-up of managerial rumors and buzz from around the 'net, where we find eight names already speculated about in the press:
** The first thing we can do, apparently, is safely take Tony LaRussa out of the mix. Despite his past relationship with Walt Jocketty, the Chicago Tribune explains that LaRussa would only consider a front-office role at this time.
** High on radar would be pitching coach Bryan Price, a highly-organized individual who holds players accountable. Sounds like a fit, doesn't it? Expect his name to come up early and often.
** Also on the radar would be one-time Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, currently ensconced in Louisville. At least according to John Fay:
That tweeted should have read: IF they stay in-house, my guess is Price or Riggleman. With Price being the top candidate #reds
— John Fay (@johnfayman) October 4, 2013
** If that's not enough, the Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Daughtery throws out another bushel of names, only to say that they wouldn't really be interested or are "dark horses". He adds to the list Scott Rolen, Barry Larkin, Joe Morgan, and Chris Speier.
** Lastly, there is highly-regarded young coach Eduardo Perez, currently bench coach with the abysmal Houston Astros. He's a Cincinnati native, has previously been interviewed for manager jobs, and certainly brings a name that resonates in Cincinnati. He admits that he would find the opening "interesting".
So, that's what we've seen so far. One can expect all sorts of names to get floated, but there's one thing to remember: None of this has been confirmed by the Reds. It's all speculation at this point.
But no one says it isn't fun to speculate.
