Despite all the attention that has been paid to Gabe Kapler’s in-game decision making, from his use of analytics to his utilization of the bullpen, the biggest threat to his first season as manager is a circumstance that isn’t entirely his own doing.
The first rumble of discontent surfaced before the first pitch had been thrown, when Odubel Herrera expressed his displeasure at being left out of the Opening Day lineup. On Thursday, the murmur increased a few decibels, when Nick Williams made some on-the-record comments that left little doubt about his disenchantment with his current playing time.