Rick Hahn and Josh Byrnes are candidates for the Cubs’ GM opening, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (Twitter link). Brian Cashman of the Yankees, Billy Beane of the Athletics, Theo Epstein of the Red Sox and Andrew Friedman of the Rays are long shots for the job, Heyman reports.
Hahn, the assistant GM for the White Sox, placed second on MLBTR’s list of GM candidates. Byrnes, Arizona’s GM from 2005-10, is now the Padres’ senior VP of baseball operations. MLBTR’s Transaction Tracker has a full log of his activity as D’Backs GM. Both Hahn and Byrnes interviewed for the Mets last offseason before Sandy Alderson got the job.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has said he's looking for someone with a commitment to player development, a strong analytical background and a track record of success. The Cubs fired longtime GM Jim Hendry last Friday.
Wait, they want to get better, don’t they? Josh Byrnes did nothing but wreck the Dbacks.
He certainly didn’t wreck them. The Eric Byrnes signing certainly didn’t help his cause, neither did making AJ Hinch the manager. But remember they went to the NLCS in 2007, he was a good GM.
He did wreck them. He took Hinch away from player development where he was amazing. He gave a worthless Byrnes way way way to much money. And they went to the 07 ALCS with a team he had yet to do anything with. All he did after was nose dive the organization. PLease show me one positive thing he did for them
HE made some mistakes but didn’t wreck them. He drafted or traded for every productive player the year they went to the NLCS (Dbacks are in the NL). They lead NL West in 08′ but faded when the Dodgers got Manny. You’re trying to be way too dramatic which isn’t accurate.
I’d say a good amount of the team was Josh Byrnes’ baby, with Kevin Towers remodeling the bullpen. It isn’t fair to say he “wrecked” them.
It was Hinch’s baby. He was a great player development man. And Byrnes had nothing to do with bring in Drew, Upton, Young, Kennedy or any of the young guys that now make up their core.
Would the White Sox allow Hahn to interview for the Cubs job?
Yes, but I don’t think he’s leaving the Sox. He’s declined offers for GM jobs in the past. I think he may be on the cusp of taking over the White Sox.
Personally, I think the Cubs are a better situation for Hahn because of all the money, but there’s something to be said for familiarity with an organization, and Hahn’s been a White Sox lifer since entering the baseball industry.
Totally agree.
And he may be the White Sox GM before the Cubs even get a shot at an interview. I would assume a house cleaning in coming for the Sox.
I think that I read that Hahn has a clause in his contract that if the Cubs are interested in him as the GM, he can get out of his contract. I believe he also grew up a Cubs fan. That said, and as a Cub fan, I am still rooting for Ben Cherington in this position.
MLB also has a rule that allows guys like Hahn to interview if the move is up and not lateral.
They’ve already endorsed him for the Cub job, and said they wouldn’t stop him from a promotion. The Cubs/Sox rivalry is more among the fans than the organizations.
The more I hear, the more I hope Hahn gets the job. The panel on Chicago Tribune live all agreed the Cubs need to start making their own names, not hiring big ones with success elsewhere. Hahn would be a great fit, and he’s a Chicago guy.
Friedman HAS to be the guy! If we don’t make a strong push for him ill have a sh1t fit!
Big let down from the idea of getting Friedman.
No on Byrnes. Not enough of a compelling track record imo. Someone would have to present a very strong case for that one.
Don’t know why my comment was being moderated for saying Kenny Williams may likely be promoted. I think the Cubs need to take consideration of former GM Mark Shapiro. I know he’s head of baseball ops in Cleveland. But I wondered if he’d like another crack as GM–particularly GM of the Cubs.
Just hire an old GM as team prez & let him hire someone. I’d feel much better about a Gillick-type hiring our next GM. Someone with huge baseball cred to step up to the mic @ his introductory presser and say “I GOT THIS”
Everyone would like to get Gillick but that’s not going to happen and who in the world is like him
just meant an older type ex-gm whose been there before, someone up top who will call the dugout to MAKE quade yank castro when he’s lollygagging, rather than just a “i’m suuuure he knows what he’s doing”