Indians GM Mark Shapiro talks managers and future

Indians GM Mark Shapiro shares a little of his philosophy.

Mark Shapiro, who is turning his general manager duties over to assistant Chris Antonetti at the end of this season, sat down with Eli Greenspan of mlbdailydish.com to talk a little about his philosophy, a trade or two and his future.

One topic was the selection of a manager, something Shapiro has done a few times in his tenure with the Tribe. Most recently, he tapped Manny Acta to lead the young team. Greenspan asked Shapiro what criteria he expects to find in a skipper.

There is no one thing you look for in a manager. You do your best to find the attributes and characteristics most suited with your current situation. Manny [Acta] has been a successful manager and coach at every single level - Montreal, New York - He has a rock solid foundation. He understands multicultural needs of players, it's important. Natural tensions do develop, but our relationship is to communicate and to maintain a common goal, a common vision. So far, good things.

We'd have had a few more questions if it'd been us:

1. Which player do you most regret letting go and/or trading?

2. How do you feel about fan reaction to the annual fire sale the Indians seem to launch around the trading deadline every year?

3. Do you and/or the owners realize the relationship between empty seats and the unwillingness (or, charitably, the in ability) to spend money to acquire and maintain quality talent?

4. CC Sabathia. Cliff Lee. Victor Martinez. Omar Vizquel. What the HECK were you thinking?

5. We suspect Question No. 4 would have been Question No. Last. But it would have been worth it to ask.