Paul Hoynes's post on Cleveland Indians | Latest updates on Sulia

Cleveland Indians sign Terry Francona to 4-year deal to be new manager

I've never believed that managers sell tickets. I think people come to the ballpark to watch talented players on winning teams. But the Indians hiring of Terry Francona was a much needed move. The talent is still questionable on this team. There are no prospects in the high minors, but Francona is a proven big-league winner. He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. The 2004 club ended 86 years of waiting for a title in Boston. Indians fans have been waiting only 64 years for their next World Series title. Francona brings credibility and a reputation of working with and developing young position players in the big leagues. The Indians need both, which is why they gave him a four-year deal. It has to be one of the largest contracts ever given to a first-year manager by the Tribe. The next bit of good news would be that Sandy Alomar Jr., the other candidate for the Tribe's managerial job, has accepted a spot on Francona's staff. Alomar was Manny Acta's bench coach this year and learned a lot. His education would continue under Francona until a big-league manager's job came his way. As of yet, Alomar hasn't said he'd take the job. He could be a managerial candidate in Toronto or Boston this winter.