But if it does happen, how is Manuel an upgrade on Willie? I’m not really familiar with his track record, but even if he is tactically better (almost anyone would be) he may be too laid back for a team that desperately needs an Earl Weaver-style kick in the rear. Anybody have a better read on Manuel the manager?

There’s no reason to think this will change anything. The team is losing games because it doesn’t have the players - specifically, the hitters - to win. God Himself couldn’t get a better OPS out of these corner outfielders.

While I’m not opposed to talking about the idea (as part of making this a white-flag/rebuilding year), it sounds like change for the sake of change rather than for the sake of improvement. There’s one big question here: why do it? Who would you possibly trade Reyes for that would make the team better over the long term? It would have to be one hell of a package. There are teams out there that could provide a group of young talent you’d have to think about moving him for - Tampa Bay springs to mind - but there is no incentive for them to take him; and teams with that kind of young talent also likely to be averse to paying the extra salary it will take to retain Reyes over the long term, as he eventually becomes more expensive. I can’t see any deal that would make sense—and almost any equivalent young hitter we could swap him for would play at a less challenging defensive position, making the bat less valuable. Seriously, Reyes is, at the very least, among the 20 or 30 most valuable young players in the game; what improvement could trading him bring in return? I just don’t see it.

By the way, just so you know, the Nietzsche book in your signature is called Human, All Too Human, not just “All Too Human.”