30 GM's and where they rank.

[BSN07]

Thought this was a good read, and a pretty fair judgement on these guys. Whats everyone else think?

 

 

 

This winter's round of signings and trades are, for the most part, over and done with. So the time for assessment has arrived.

 

It's not hard to find opinions on how each team's general manager has fared throughout the most recent Hot Stove season, but we're going to widen the scope a bit. What follows are the "GM Rankings" for MLB's current crop of top executives. The rankings are, of course, highly subjective, and they're based mostly on each GM's tenure with his current team (although, for those GMs who have toiled elsewhere we'll give minor consideration to their entire bodies of work).

So let's light this candle …

 

1. John Schuerholz, Braves

On the job since … October 1990

Playoff appearances: 14

 

The peerless GM running the peerless organization, so there's really no argument here. Schuerholz has, of course, won consistently and convincingly, and he's also managed to maintain a generally strong farm system over the years.

 

2. Walt Jocketty, Cardinals

On the job since … October 1994

Playoff appearances: 7

 

No GM is better at pulling off the big trade. Since coming to St. Louis, Jocketty has executed one-sided deals for players like Mark McGwire, Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Edgar Renteria, Woody Williams, Mike Timlin, Darryl Kile, Larry Walker, Dennis Eckersley, Fernandos Vina and Tatis and Chuck Finley, among others.

 

3. Terry Ryan, Twins

On the job since … September 1994

Playoff appearances: 4

 

Billy Beane gets most of the ink when it comes to small-market success stories, but Ryan's work has been even more impressive. Under Ryan, the Twins have cultivated a tremendous eye for amateur talent and knack for identifying (and nabbing) projectable prospects in other organizations.

 

4. Billy Beane, A's

On the job since …October 1997

Playoff appearances: 5

 

Tight budget, much success. Now he's done it without two-thirds of the "Big Three" in the rotation, and the A's have finally won a playoff series.

 

5. Theo Epstein, Red Sox

On the job since … November 2002

Playoff appearances: 3

 

Epstein works with tremendous payroll flexibility, but he also does a fine job of vetting the "freely available talent" markets (see: Papi, Big). Under Epstein, the Sox have the occasional weakness for conspicuous consumption, but on the whole they've been quite successful since he took over.

 

6. Dave Dombrowski, Tigers

On the job since … October 2002

Playoff appearances: 1

 

Under Dombrowski, the Tigers have become one of most daring teams in baseball when the amateur draft comes around. They won the pennant last season, and with all those power arms in the system they're not going anywhere.

 

7. Kevin Towers, Padres

On the job since … November 1995

Playoff appearances: 4

 

He's in a class with Beane and Ryan in terms of succeeding without loosened purse strings. The difference is that Towers has been doing it for years. For the first time in franchise history, the Pads have reeled off three straight winning seasons.

 

8. Kenny Williams, White Sox

On the job since … October 2000

Playoff appearances: 1

 

Five years ago, Williams would've been near the bottom of this list. No exec in recent memory has evolved to such a degree. He identifies weaknesses and addresses them efficiently, and he often deals from a position of strength on the trade market.

 

 

The Mets' Omar Minaya and the Braves' John Schuerholz are trying to one-up each other in the NL East. (Rich Pilling/MLB / Getty Images)

 

9. Omar Minaya, Mets

On the job since …September 2004

Playoff appearances: 1

 

Minaya trusts his youngsters and does well in terms of identifying premium talent and filling holes on the roster. He's also made the Mets the destination for Latin talent. Let's also not forget the solid work he did under impossible circumstances with Montreal.

 

10. Larry Beinfest, Marlins

On the job since … February 2002

Playoff appearances: 1

 

Perhaps the most underrated operator in the game today. Beinfest has a World Series ring, and he did a tremendous job of trading off vets for young talent at the behest of Jeffrey Loria.

 

11. Brian Cashman, Yankees

On the job since … February 1998

Playoff appearances: 9

 

It's difficult to know which decisions Cashman is making and which are dictated to him from on high. The Yankees have won and won often on his watch, but those limitless coffers have more than a little to do with that.

 

12. Bill Stoneman, Angels

On the job since … November 1999

Playoff appearances: 3

 

Stoneman makes seriously questionable contract decisions from time to time (e.g., Darin Erstad, Gary Matthews Jr.), but there's no questioning the overall success he's had.

 

13. Mark Shapiro, Guardians

On the job since … November 2001

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Outstanding job assembling the young talent that's now in place. Occasionally gets desperate in the search for relievers and is overly loyal to Eric Wedge. Still, the Tribe's poised for a nice run in the brutal AL Central.

 

14. Doug Melvin, Brewers

On the job since …September 2002

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Never deserved to be fired at Texas. Brewers farm system improved under Melvin, and they're now darkhorse contenders in the NL Central.

 

15. Pat Gillick, Phillies

On the job since … November 2005

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Since leaving Toronto, Gillick's success has mostly been a matter of good timing. Poor track record of building farm systems, but a capable "win now" exec.

 

16. Josh Byrnes, Diamondbacks

On the job since … November 2005

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Too early to make any lasting judgments about Byrnes, but he's one of the brightest young GMs in the game today. Nice work seamlessly integrating the wealth of young talent. Javier Vazquez trade was a masterstoke.

 

17. Brian Sabean, Giants

On the job since … September 1996

Playoff appearances: 4

 

The Giants have won a pennant and three division titles under Sabean, but his neglect of the farm system and his willingness to part with the few prospects the Giants have developed are not to his credit. Neither is his undying fondness for decline-phase veterans.

 

18. Tim Purpura, Astros

On the job since …November 2004

Playoff appearances: 1

 

The ‘Stros have won a pennant under Purpura, but Gerry Hunsicker's fingerprints were all over that team. He's done little to distinguish himself, but he's kept Houston in the competitive fray. Purpura, like Towers, Epstein and Cashman, is skilled at blending statistical and traditional methods of evaluating talent. Long-term, he should become one of the game's best.

 

19. Dayton Moore, Royals

On the job since … June 2006

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Moore has made some nifty additions during his brief tenure, but the trade of Andy Sisco for yet another DH/corner defender type was highly dubious. Lots of work ahead in a ruthlessly tough division, but elite talents like Alex Gordon and Billy Butler are on the way.

 

20. J.P. Ricciardi, Blue Jays

On the job since … November 2001

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Last season, the Jays finished higher than third place for the first time 1993. He's made the organization more efficient, but the farm system has foundered badly under him, mostly because of his college-heavy drafts. Ricciardi's social skills and media savvy also leave much to be desired.

 

21. Ned Colletti, Dodgers

On the job since … November 2005

Playoff appearances: 1

 

The Dodgers netted a playoff appearance in Colletti's first season, but in the process he traded away a number of high-ceiling prospects. He learned his craft under Sabean, so the "prospects are bargaining chits" mentality was heavily inculcated.

 

22. Andrew Friedman, Devil Rays

On the job since … November 2005

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Very little track record to go on, but so far Friedman has failed where Chuck LaMar failed — in finding pitching. That's the challenge going forward.

 

23. Jon Daniels, Rangers

On the job since … October 2005

Playoff appearances:

 

Daniels has done some good things, but he's betrayed a questionable eye for pitching. The Rangers' front office needs to understand that groundball pitchers are a necessity, and chasing the likes of Barry Zito (thankfully for Texas he signed elsewhere) is not defensible. He also took the short end of the Alfonso Soriano trade with D.C.

 

24. Jim Bowden, Nationals

On the job since … October 2004

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Bowden is the depth and breadth of inconsistency. He's occasionally brilliant on the trade market (see immediately above and below), but he's a poor evaluator when it comes to signing upper-tier free agents.

 

25. Jim Hendry, Cubs

On the job since … July 2002

Playoff appearances: 1

 

Hendry was brilliant as a scouting director, but he's woefully overmatched as a GM. He's failed to identify pitchers well suited to work in Wrigley, and that trend continued this winter. Hendry's now operating with a high payroll, but it's not likely to make much of a difference.

 

26. Mike Flanagan, Orioles

On the job since …December 2002

Playoff appearances: 0

 

The O's these days aren't as miserable as they're often made out to be, and the farm system is improving. However, the pointless — and expensive — patch job remains the hallmark of this once-proud organization. Flanagan has the smarts, but he lacks the autonomy to run the organization his way.

 

27. Dave Littlefield, Pirates

On the job since … July 2001

Playoff appearances: 0

 

If you haven't had a winning season in almost 15 years, then you'd at least hope the farm system is brimming. That's not the case with Littlefield and the Pirates. In particular, he's done a poor job managing his 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft. There's no discernible plan in Pittsburgh.

 

28. Wayne Krivsky, Reds

On the job since … February 2006

Playoff appearances: 0

 

Krivsky hasn't been in Cincy for very long, but he's already done damage. In particular, the 2006 trade that sent Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner to the Nationals in exchange for Bill Bray, Gary Majewski, Royce Clayton, Brandan Harris and Daryl Thompson was, from Cincy's perspective, one of the worst trades of the decade. Like a lot of GMs whose teams toil in hitter-friendly parks, Krivsky acts out of desperation when trying to find pitching.

 

29. Dan O'Dowd, Rockies

On the job since … September 1999

Playoff appearances: 0

 

One of the modern world's great mysteries is how O'Dowd is still employed as a Major League GM. He discards prevailing strategies like used tissue, and the farm system has churned out precious little on his watch. He's the guy who gave Mike Hampton the 15th-largest contract in sports history and signed Todd Helton through 2011. ‘Nuff said.

 

30. Bill Bavasi, Mariners

On the job since … November 2003

Playoff appearances: 0

 

No GM is worse when it comes to identifying free-agent targets, and on the trade market he's also played a little fast and loose with the organizational depth. He'll leave the M's as an organization that's in demonstrably worse shape than when he arrived.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

 

30. Bill Bavasi, Mariners

On the job since … November 2003

Playoff appearances: 0

 

No GM is worse when it comes to identifying free-agent targets, and on the trade market he's also played a little fast and loose with the organizational depth. He'll leave the M's as an organization that's in demonstrably worse shape than when he arrived.

 

Psh...are you trying to say paying Adrian Beltre $13 million to be a .268/25/89 guy isn't a good move?

 

Then again...I'd be thrilled if we get that out of Drew. Blahhhh. This still makes me nauseous everytime we bring it up. :thumbdown

[jacksonianmarch]

If this article was written a yr ago, I'd agree with Epstein's rating. But the fact that his team exploded last yr, coupled with the fruits of horrible trades becoming ripe for other teams and a farm that is devoid of MLB ready talent should drop him a little. I agree with Cashman's rating. We have no idea what has been his move or what wasnt up until a yr ago when he wrestled control away.

[Soxfan1]

Agreed. At this point, Cashman is the bettert GM.

[Linda]

9. Omar Minaya, Mets

On the job since …September 2004

Playoff appearances: 1

 

Minaya trusts his youngsters and does well in terms of identifying premium talent and filling holes on the roster. He's also made the Mets the destination for Latin talent. Let's also not forget the solid work he did under impossible circumstances with Montreal.

 

 

21. Ned Colletti, Dodgers

On the job since … November 2005

Playoff appearances: 1

 

The Dodgers netted a playoff appearance in Colletti's first season, but in the process he traded away a number of high-ceiling prospects. He learned his craft under Sabean, so the "prospects are bargaining chips" mentality was heavily inculcated.

 

Bull s***.

 

Minaya traded away Kazmir. L.A. is still the Latin destination, unless he's referring to buying Beltran and Delgado. Reyes is not the whole team.

 

On the other hand, the remark about Colletti trading away the top prospects is false. Here are the guys he traded away and the return:

 

Edwin Jackson -- gave him plenty of time to pan out and he got worse. Traded him for Baez, which was a good move at a time when Gagne appeared to be injured for a while. Baez was then traded for Betemit. Jackson for Betemit is a great trade.

 

Dioner Navarro -- blocked Russell Martin's path to the majors. Couldn't hit. Traded for Lugo. Another good trade.

 

Antonio Perez -- traded for Ethier, went on to hit .100 for Oakland.

 

In the meantime, Ned Colletti held on to Billingsley, Kuo, Martin, Ethier, Loney, Kemp, Laroche, Elbert, etc.

 

Colletti is showing that he's one of the best GMs in MLB.

[TheKilo]

Agreed. At this point' date=' Cashman is the bettert GM.[/quote']

 

Ehhhhh...I'm not so sure.

 

Theo's bg fault is constructing a bullpen. But at least his team has won a WS in this decade.

[TheKilo]

Bull s***.

 

Minaya traded away Kazmir. L.A. is still the Latin destination, unless he's referring to buying Beltran and Delgado. Reyes is not the whole team.

 

On the other hand, the remark about Colletti trading away the top prospects is false. Here are the guys he traded away and the return:

 

Edwin Jackson -- gave him plenty of time to pan out and he got worse. Traded him for Baez, which was a good move at a time when Gagne appeared to be injured for a while. Baez was then traded for Betemit. Jackson for Betemit is a great trade.

 

Dioner Navarro -- blocked Russell Martin's path to the majors. Couldn't hit. Traded for Lugo. Another good trade.

 

Antonio Perez -- traded for Ethier, went on to hit .100 for Oakland.

 

In the meantime, Ned Colletti held on to Billingsley, Kuo, Martin, Ethier, Loney, Kemp, Laroche, Elbert, etc.

 

Colletti is showing that he's one of the best GMs in MLB.

 

 

 

Pierre signing aside, he's done a good job. And while I think he's a little low on the list, shouldn't he win something before we proclaim him one of the best in the MLB?

[Linda]

Re: Cashman... anybody could be a good GM with that budget. If he can't win with that $$$, he's a failure.

[Linda]

Pierre signing aside' date=' he's done a good job. And while I think he's a little low on the list, shouldn't he win something before we proclaim him one of the best in the MLB?[/quote']

 

I'm just saying that the comment about trading away top prospects is ridiculous. I still think the Pierre signing is okay. Not a great signing, but not bad. The jury is still out on that one.

 

Winning the NL west in his first year is a good start.

[TheKilo]

I'm just saying that the comment about trading away top prospects is ridiculous. I still think the Pierre signing is okay. Not a great signing, but not bad. The jury is still out on that one.

 

Winning the NL west in his first year is a good start.

 

I definitely agree.

 

BTW, that's the same way I feel about the Drew signing.

[Linda]

I definitely agree.

 

BTW, that's the same way I feel about the Drew signing.

 

If healthy (and that's a big IF), Drew will make you guys happy.

 

But if he's hurt at all, either he won't play, or he'll try to play through it, and you'l get a RF playing at 25%.

[TheKilo]

If healthy (and that's a big IF), Drew will make you guys happy.

 

But if he's hurt at all, either he won't play, or he'll try to play through it, and you'l get a RF playing at 25%.

 

I agree. When healthy Drew is far better than Nixon or Damon could hope to be.

 

I have cautious optimism because he's played a lot the last few seasons, pitch to his wrist notwithstanding.

 

We'll have to find out come April.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Bull s***.

 

Minaya traded away Kazmir.

 

No he didnt, Jim Duquette traded Kazmir.

[Linda]

No he didnt' date=' Jim Duquette traded Kazmir.[/quote']

 

My bad. He did trade Mike Jacobs though. So the knock on Coletti should apply to Minaya also.

 

Also, I found this article:

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_327085850.html

 

which had the following statement:

Delgado nearly joined the Mets last season before signing a $52 million, four-year deal with Florida. But he was disenchanted with the way the Mets recruited him a year ago, saying the team tried to appeal to his Latin heritage too much.

And NYM is supposed to be the Latin Destination? LMAO.

[Soxfan1]

Minyana has bought his status on this list. Its painfully oblivious.

 

Beltran

Pedro

Delgado (Only traded because of price tag)

 

 

Piazza might have gave them the home town discount as well. I haven't been following Lo Duca over there, but i know Piazza didn't have a bad season.

[jacksonianmarch]

Minaya did not deal away Kazmir. Steve Phillips did.

[jacksonianmarch]

and he traded away Mike Jacobs for Delgado, which looks like a damn good trade right now.

[Linda]

Minaya did not deal away Kazmir. Steve Phillips did.

 

 

and he traded away Mike Jacobs for Delgado, which looks like a damn good trade right now.

 

Thanks for pointing that out again.

 

Seriously, do you even read the thread before posting?

[TGov]

Re: Cashman... anybody could be a good GM with that budget. If he can't win with that $$$' date=' he's a failure.[/quote']

 

Well I mean when you can get pretty much any player you want, and you still can't win, I gotta agree, he has failed...

 

but one of the biggest things that the NYY doesn't have is team chemistry, all they have are star players who all want the spotlight, who don't know how to play together, as a team... and team chemistry in my mind is one of the biggest things you need, I mean look how far the Tigers and Marlins went last year... The Yankees change there team every year, I'm surprised the GM even knows everyone's name...

 

I'm kinda surprised that Theo #5 on the list but he is a pretty damn good GM, hence is why we did what we did to get him back...

 

and I gotta give it up the the Braves GM John Schuerholz, he definitely has been the best GM during his time with the Braves, I mean 14 playoff appearances!?... he's awesome, I hope they can get back to there routes next season...

[jacksonianmarch]

Cashman was a puppet GM for most of his tenure in NY. He doesnt have a long track record to go on.

[a700hitter]

Being a puppet is being a loser.

[jacksonianmarch]

Being a puppet is being a loser.

 

call it what you want. Then he was a loser until last yr.

[Mr Crunchy]

a payroll twice the size of everyone else should put cashman at the bottom of the list

when youre the odds on favorite year in and year out and fail 6 years in a row??

thats classic underachieving that would get anyone of us fired in the real world

 

anyway

the nomie for meintxx and cabrerra was a great deal for 3months

nomar,the manic depressive ,anti social psychitzo should be in california

theo won

and continues to be the only gm to win with a payroll in excess of 100M

but duquette built the core of that team

theos legacy so far

19,000,000.00 for 1 year of renteria

hillebrand for bunny kim??

arroyo for wmp

he got schilling on a salary dump by zona

he did sign foulke and that was a huge part in 04

petey delivered ortiz to him on a silver platter after theo signed millar and jeremy giambi

the nl batting champion freddy sanchez and their closer went for jeff suppan and sauerbrauten

2 men who couldnt make our 03 playoff roster for a batting champion and a closer??

 

the nl rookie of the year and a guy who threw a no hitter as a rookie went for josh beckett and his 5.00 era

 

the book is still open on that deal

as it stands today??

we got f***ed there too

but the book is open on that deal and i for 1 will never fault him for that move

the farm looks better according to the media who will forever be washing this kids balls

lets see what this vaunted farm produces

26 months from now we'll know exactly how good theo is in evaluating talent

 

theo in my opinion is larrys hand puppet