Brian Fuentes Rips Bob Geren: A's Relief Pitcher Criticizes Manager

One day after Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez called out his teammates and New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon ripped his own players, Oakland A's relief pitcher Brian Fuentes decided to criticize his own manager.

After the A's lost their sixth straight game on Monday and Fuentes earned his fourth loss in as many appearances, the lefty criticized manager Bob Geren's "unorthodox managing." The former Angels closer said that he has "zero" communication with his skipper.

"There's just no communication. Two games on the road, bring the closer in a tied game, with no previous discussions of doing so. And then, tonight, in the seventh inning, I get up. I haven't stretched, I haven't prepared myself," he explained. "If there was some communication beforehand I would be ready to come into the game -- which I was, when I came into the game, I was ready. Just lack of communication. I don't think anybody really knows which direction he's headed."

Fuentes has an ERA of 5.06 and already has a career-high seven losses. The 35-year-old hasn't had a save opportunity since May 8.

Monday's loss to the Angels marked the fourth straight tie-game situation for Fuentes.

Comments

[cookerman45]

12:18 AM on 05/25/2011

he sounds like one of those whining Yankees

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

12:03 AM on 05/25/2011

He has a point.

[RobH413]

11:11 PM on 05/25/2011

True story, but he shouldn't have gone public with it without first trying to resolve it in house.

[hawkny]

09:04 PM on 05/24/2011

Some managers need to be called out... more than most of us who like baseball think...
But, the rule of thumb in any job situation is "don't bite the hand that feeds you" when it comes to employee/employer relations.
There is almost always a method to air grievances, in house, when the need exists..

[Oilvike]

07:36 PM on 05/24/2011

The A's have always been my favorite AL team, but I haven't paid much attention to them lately. They have been really boring during the Geren era.

[billybuck]

05:53 PM on 05/24/2011

Luxury problems, I tell you. He's making millions to "put up with" his
manager.

[smusmu]

04:28 PM on 05/24/2011

Always be ready! You never know when the skipper will call upon you. He will be fired within the next 2 weeks.

[klinzboy]

04:21 PM on 05/24/2011

Good bye Brian!

[DrObvious]

01:51 PM on 05/24/2011

Things are frustrating for Fuentes and the Angels ... but then again,  they're not crashing like my Minnesota Twins.
 
Criticizing the manager?    Gotta be kidding.    That'll fly like an iron butterfly    .....
 
 ina gadda davida baby .... don't cha know that i love you u

[JacksonHts]

03:21 PM on 05/24/2011

you mean the Athletics, dont you

[Andrew Crispell]

01:14 PM on 05/24/2011

Your job is to throw pitches...you should always be ready.

However Geren is an idiot. He pulled Cahill in the 6th inning after only giving up 1 hit and a run.

[uhavenoface]

10:46 PM on 05/25/2011

"Your job is to throw pitches...­you should always be ready."

that's roy halladay's job too. he's only ready once every five games.

basically you don't understand anything about baseball today.

[RobH413]

11:10 PM on 05/25/2011

Try again, bud. This guy is a relief pitcher.