Bobby Valentine, who has spent the last six seasons managing Chiba Lotte in Japan, is returning to Baseball Tonight as an analyst.
Why is this important? He's a trendy name for Manager 16. However:
Valentine, who previously worked for ESPN in 2003, will take on expanded duties in 2010. He will appear on "Baseball Tonight" and 1050 ESPN Radio in New York, and contribute to ESPNNewYork.com, the local ESPN sports site that launches next year.
Does this disqualify him? Not necessarily, as Yahoo's Gordon Edes explains Valentine could have an out clause in his contract should he be offered a managerial position.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
