Who Wants Jim Leyland Now?

Much ado has been made in the past that the Phillies picked the affable, pot bellied, national league challenged Charlie Manuel as their skipper back in 2005. Many people did not like this choice, instead wanting Jim Leyland, the chain smoking national league genius. Leyland, of course, quickly paid dividends for The Tigers in 2006, taking them to the World Series. As we all know, the Tigers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games, allowing the Cardinals to become the worst team to ever win a World Series (83 wins). No time to go over fielding bunts in Spring Training, apparently.

Since that time, the Tigers have not played to their potential. Despite the addition of several big ticket free agents, the Tigers have been haunted by the onset of age in their older roster, a bullpen that has never performed the same as 2006, and the haunting feeling that 2006 might have just been lightning in a bottle, and the Tigers simply aren't as good as we (and they) thought they were. And maybe Zumaya's obsession with Guitar Hero.

Conversely, since 2006, the Phillies appeared in their first postseason in 14 years (and were quickly swept out). They are in place to make the playoffs again this year. Uncle Chuck has adeptly managed this team through various injuries, starting pitching woes, and a lineup that is consistently hitting worse than they did last year, from Howard and Utley to Rollins and Ruiz.

Since 2005, Charlie Manuel has gone 351-294 as the Phillies' manager, for a 54.4 winning %. In one less season, Jim Leyland has gone 255-227, for a 52.9 winning %. More wins, more playoff appearances (hopefully), same number of championships. So Why did we want Leyland again?

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Gavin Floyd Update: Basically, he'd still be your #2 starter at this point.

Pitcher Record(Starts) ERA (ERA+)
Gavin Floyd 16-8(31) 3.84(119)
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Phillies Starting Pitchers
Cole Hamels 14-10(33) 3.09(145)
Joe Blanton 8-12(32) 4.79(87)*
Jamie Moyer 15-7(32) 3.78(118)
Kyle Kendrick 11-9 (30) 5.46(82)**
Adam Eaton 4-8(21) 5.80(77)***
Brett Myers 10-13(30) 4.55(98)

* Stats using both AL and NL numbers for this year.
**I know he doesn't start anymore.
***I know he doesn't start anymore either. Does not include minor league numbers.