If you were a major league manager, or a potential major league manager, how bad would you want a job where there was going to be massive amounts of owner interference?

I've never understood why established managers or coaches with winning records want to go to loser teams.  I understand that there is the challenge of trying to build a winner, but if the organization is not capable of doing that, you are just setting yourself up for an ulcer.  Often, just your presence is enough to ramp up expectations and if they aren't met, you are fired in a hail of bad feelings and damage to the work you've done in the past.  Some can overcome that (Joe Torre) and some can't (Trey Hillman perhaps.)

Sure, the Yankees job is a good one because the players are always good, but what about a gig with the Orioles or the Marlins?  Is getting back on the horse worth it knowing you have to deal with Peter Angelos or Jeffrey Loria? 

I was always told when you considered potential employment, it was was far more than just the paycheck.  What's the culture of the company?  Is the company not only committed to success but do they have the resources to be successful?  Is there enough in the cup board for you to achieve a turnaround quickly or is everyone going to have to be cleared out and new people brought in?  Will you get to do that?  What's their track record the last few years?  Why has it been that way?

For a guy like a Buck Showalter or a Bobby Valentine, it isn't necessary for them to ever manage in the majors again unless they really, really want to.  In the case of Showalter, I think he does and he's willing to deal with Peter Angelos to get there.  Having a unique eye for talent, Showalter is a good fit in Baltimore. He's famous for assembling teams that win big after he leaves.  He most likely could do that again in Baltimore since two of the three teams that fired him won championships and this year's Texas team, two years removed from his is poised to win the AL West.

In Florida, Valentine is friends with Loria which may be helpful since the owner likes to meddle a lot.  That said, reports indicate that Valentine smartly realizes it may be a no win situation in Florida.  And, given the fact that this might be Valentine's last gig, he certainly doesn't want to take one that will damage his reputation.  And given the poor relationships he's had with higher ups both here and in Japan, he certainly doesn't want to put himself in a situation like that again. When you have a cushy TV job, it's easy to say no.  And it appears that's exactly what Valentine is going to say.

So, for the moment, Florida is stuck with a big bag of nothing and Valentine is still at ESPN, away from an owner that would probably test their twenty-five year friendship.  It looks like Valentine made a wise and informed choice.