NY Post: Sherman: If Sox manage to make change, former captain a good fit

In the past, you would dismiss someone who was just a year out of the game with no professional managing experience. But the success this year Robin Ventura of the White Sox and the Cardinals’ Mike Matheny — both returning to old haunts as first-time-anywhere managers — is changing the rules. In addition, Don Mattingly is having great success with the Dodgers after never previously managing. ...

Boras’ threat clearly a factor in babying Strasburg ...

If that were not enough, this certainly sounds like an “or else” threat about what would happen if the Nationals disregarded [Boras’] counsel and Strasburg busted: “There is an ethical and legal consideration here,” Boras said. “Who is not going to follow expert medical advice? What kind of liability do you take on to ignore that?”

Boras has been obsessed with this since the Braves pushed his client, Steve Avery, to throw 828 1/3 innings between the regular and postseasons through his age-23 campaign — the eighth-highest total in that age group during the expansion (post 1969) era. Avery never had a high-caliber season again and was done at 29. Now some of the pitchers high on that list — such as Bert Blyleven, Felix Hernandez and CC Sabathia — have gone on to thrive and have high-level health. But the list is filled with a boatload of cautionary tales such as Dwight Gooden, Bret Saberhagen, Don Gullett, Jeremy Bonderman and Alex Fernandez.