Let's be honest. Jim Tracy is a "yes man." He's a company man. Kevin Malone hired him because he knew Tracy would go along with whatever he wanted, unlike Davey Johnson. Dan Evans kept him, because, well, Tracy always stayed in line. And now Paul DePodesta is likely keeping Tracy because the GM can suddenly trust his manager to respect the principles of sabermetrics. In a sport where the influence of a manager may only be marginal, it sure helps to be the manager who everyone can work with.

That all said, Jim Tracy is a fine manager. In fact, he could wind up with the NL Manager of the Year Award, an honor he came close to winning in 2001 and 2002. Tracy is a good-tempered and good-natured humble individual who exudes a positive attitude in the clubhouse that seems to rub off well on his players. He's done a decent enough job as a communicator. He seems to have acquired a fair amount of basbeall knowledge. And his teams have always overachieved.

There is absolutely no justification for getting rid of Jim Tracy. Unless Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Dusty Baker, or Mike Scioscia magically falls into your lap, Jim Tracy is as good as anyone to have around.