# How long does Rizzo keep his job? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 13, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633 "2012-10-13T18:06:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/1 "2012-10-13T18:06:17Z")
Now that the Nats have been eliminated, the Rizzo watch begins. How long does he keep his job? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/2 "2012-10-13T18:17:16Z")
Well in a few years he’s taken the Nats from one of the worst records in MLB to the best record and he’s greatly increased attendance and ratings, so I think his job is pretty secure. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/3 "2012-10-13T19:40:49Z")
Yeah… that’s deranged. A team that has never been to a World Series, in its history, now coming off a division title and a playoff spot and with a strong, young roster that will compete for years to come, is going to fire its GM? And replace him with who, Zeus? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/4 "2012-10-13T20:02:02Z")
Replace him with a GM who understands his window is small. There’s NO guarantee of anything in 2013! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/5 "2012-10-14T01:30:55Z")
The choices presented are preposterous. Rizzo will not likely lose his job just for not winning the World Series. It’s a ridiculous standard and the Nationals aren’t going t hold him to it. etv, I know the game 5 loss was frustrating but it isn’t Rizzo’s fault the bullpen blew it, and Rizzo’s bosses know it and are totally on board with his plan. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/6 "2012-10-14T01:50:10Z")
**Rick** -If they had Stras, It probably doesn’t come to that. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/7 "2012-10-14T01:54:08Z")
He’s considered one of the best GMs in baseball and the team overachieved this year. The Strasburg thing was an issue essentially because they didn’t expect to be in contention this year. The team he put together was even better than expected. It’s pretty hard to hold that against him. They could have dealt with the Strasburg thing differently and there are no guarantees, but they would be total idiots to fire him. I think you are more or less the only person who thinks they’d let him go, **etv78**. He is under contract for next year and the club has two more options years, and I’d expect him to be around much longer than that. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/8 "2012-10-14T02:00:44Z")
I was unaware of his contract status. It means they need to win a WS in the next 3 years, he’s on the clock. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/9 "2012-10-14T03:46:54Z")
Well, they certainly expect to be competing for championships over the next few years. But if you think he’s in trouble because they lost a tough first-round series this year, you are completely mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/10 "2012-10-14T03:57:41Z")
I voted “Never” even though it almost goes without saying that he WILL be fired one day. ALmost every GM is. Still, overall, he’s done a great job. I can’t imagine why anyone would want him gone after such a wonderful season. And I say that even though I completely disagreed with the decision to bench Strasburg. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/11 "2012-10-14T06:58:14Z")
I’m not sure it’s the GM’s fault that his team couldn’t hold onto a 6-0 lead. He’ll take a bit of heat over the Strasburg issue, but nowhere near enough to jeopardize his job. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/12 "2012-10-14T10:00:54Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > **Rick** -If they had Stras, It probably doesn’t come to that. I gotta disagree. Stras had a 4.29 ERA for his last six games, he was clearly slumping. Also, Ross Detwiler, the pitcher replacing Stras in the lineup, was the only Nat pitcher to really have productive innings in the playoffs. Also, the Nats offense was missing for the series against the Cardinals. Even if Stras had thrown great games, the Nats still can’t win if they don’t put runs on the board. The Nats choked. It’s not surprising that a young team that only had four guys with playoff experience lost a series to the World Series champions. Next year, Stras is fully healthy and the reast of the team has some much needed (and painful) playoff experience. It’s going to be amazing and Rizzo will be there. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/13 "2012-10-14T20:43:31Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > **Rick** -If they had Stras, It probably doesn’t come to that. As pointed out, this simply is not true. Straburg’s replacement had the best start the Nats got in the series, and they won the game. If you replace Detwiler with Straburg, the series goes the same way. You can’t win the same game twice. Look, I disagreed with the Strasburg thing too; I’m on record here as saying that if they wanted to limit his innings, it should have been planned out better. But it’s just insane to think Rizzo’s job is on the line for it when it did not change the NLDS, was done with the full support of Rizzo’s bosses. Furthermore, you keep saying a GM should do everything he can to win this year. That is obviously not true, and I can prove it: **On July 31, would you have traded Bryce Harper for Ryan Braun?** If your answer is no… and I sure hope it is… then obviously you would have to agree a GM should not, in fact, do everything he can to maximize his chances of winning this year. Ryan Braun is a better player than Bryce Harper right now. Having Ryan Braun instead of Bryce Harper would have improved the Nationals’ chances of winning the World Series. Hell, given that Harper went 3-for-23 in the NLDS it’s quite possible that trade would have resulted in the Nats being in the NLCS right now. But to trade Harper for Braun would be insane. It’s just not worth the slight chance of a better playoff run in 2012 to give away the enormous difference in future value and cost between Harper and Braun. You have to balance current chances with the ability to maintain a contender over time. If you took the “win this year” philosophy to its logical conclusion you’d virtually guarantee wrecking your team in a year or two. A GM’s job is to put a good enough team on the field to make the playoffs and hope for the best, because once you hit the postseason you’re playing other good teams and who the hell knows what’s going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/14 "2012-10-14T21:10:54Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > **Rick** -If they had Stras, It probably doesn’t come to that. As pointed out, this simply is not true. Straburg’s replacement had the best start the Nats got in the series, and they won the game. If you replace Detwiler with Straburg, the series goes the same way. You can’t win the same game twice. Look, I disagreed with the Strasburg thing too; I’m on record here as saying that if they wanted to limit his innings, it should have been planned out better. But it’s just insane to think Rizzo’s job is on the line for it when it did not change the NLDS, was done with the full support of Rizzo’s bosses. Furthermore, you keep saying a GM should do everything he can to win this year. That is obviously not true, and I can prove it: **On July 31, would you have traded Bryce Harper for Ryan Braun?** If your answer is no… and I sure hope it is… then obviously you would have to agree a GM should not, in fact, do everything he can to maximize his chances of winning this year. Ryan Braun is a better player than Bryce Harper right now. Having Ryan Braun instead of Bryce Harper would have improved the Nationals’ chances of winning the World Series. Hell, given that Harper went 3-for-23 in the NLDS it’s quite possible that trade would have resulted in the Nats being in the NLCS right now. But to trade Harper for Braun would be insane. It’s just not worth the slight chance of a better playoff run in 2012 to give away the enormous difference in future value and cost between Harper and Braun. You have to balance current chances with the ability to maintain a contender over time. If you took the “win this year” philosophy to its logical conclusion you’d virtually guarantee wrecking your team in a year or two. A GM’s job is to put a good enough team on the field to make the playoffs and hope for the best, because once you hit the postseason you’re playing other good teams and who the hell knows what’s going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/15 "2012-10-14T21:37:17Z")
I don’t think that’s quite fair, **RickJay**. Detwiler had a good start, but if Strasburg is available he pitches twice, including the opener. Game two, which in real life was Zimmermann getting blown up, would be Gio’s first start, and then Zimmermann pitching at home instead of Edwin Jackson in game three (probably for the sweep). If they really wanted to / needed to they could have thrown Gio twice and Strasburg twice. I don’t think they lose two of those games plus Zimmermann’s at home. ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/16 "2012-10-15T00:02:45Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > I don’t think that’s quite fair, **RickJay**. Detwiler had a good start, but if Strasburg is available he pitches twice, including the opener. Game two, which in real life was Zimmermann getting blown up, would be Gio’s first start, and then Zimmermann pitching at home instead of Edwin Jackson in game three (probably for the sweep). If they really wanted to / needed to they could have thrown Gio twice and Strasburg twice. I don’t think they lose two of those games plus Zimmermann’s at home. I agree in general with this. Strasburg most likely pitches in front of Zim in their playoff rotation, pushing Zim back to game 3. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/17 "2012-10-15T00:37:15Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > I don’t think that’s quite fair, **RickJay**. Detwiler had a good start, but if Strasburg is available he pitches twice, including the opener. Game two, which in real life was Zimmermann getting blown up, would be Gio’s first start, and then Zimmermann pitching at home instead of Edwin Jackson in game three (probably for the sweep). If they really wanted to / needed to they could have thrown Gio twice and Strasburg twice. I don’t think they lose two of those games plus Zimmermann’s at home. I don’t think Strasburg pitches before Gio. Gio has been basically as good this year, and Strasburg did struggle down the stretch. Besides, all else being equal, the Nats would still try to limit Strasburg’s innings if possible. > [@madmonk28](#): > > It’s not surprising that a young team that only had four guys with playoff experience lost a series to the World Series champions. I don’t think experience had anything to do with their loss. There is no evidence that teams without playoff experience do better or worse than anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/18 "2012-10-15T00:56:01Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > I don’t think Strasburg pitches before Gio. Gio has been basically as good this year, and Strasburg did struggle down the stretch. Besides, all else being equal, the Nats would still try to limit Strasburg’s innings if possible. But this is a criticism of the Nats’ handling of him, so the point has to be that they wouldn’t do that. I don’t agree that Gio would give them as good a chance to win any particular game, but for the sake of the argument I don’t think it matters. Strasburg wouldn’t just be pitching the game Detwiler pitched. If absolutely nothing else, how’d you like to see Stras in late inning relief? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/19 "2012-10-15T01:45:22Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > I don’t think that’s quite fair, **RickJay**. Detwiler had a good start, but if Strasburg is available he pitches twice, including the opener. Wait… why would Strasburg get two starts ahead of Gio Gonzalez? Gonzelez did not pitch as well as Strasburg this year, he pitched BETTER. Someday Strasburg will b their #1 starter, but right now he’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-rizzo-keep-his-job/637633/20 "2012-10-15T01:49:56Z")
Well, like I said, I don’t agree with either of those statements, but I also don’t think it matters. He’d start twice, was the point.