Here's the latest on some GM vacancies and other front office moves…
- Would Billy Beane be a good fit as the Yankees' general manager? Mike Silva of the New York Baseball Digest takes on the question and wonders how Beane would navigate the politics of the Yankee front office. Beane's name has been whispered in connection with the Cubs' GM vacancy, and Silva agrees that if Beane leaves Oakland for any job, it would be in Chicago.
- The Cubs have signed Oneri Fleita to a four-year contract extension to continue as the club's vice-president of player personnel, reports Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Tigers were reportedly interested in hiring Fleita, which is why the Cubs moved to lock him up despite the fact that Chicago's GM candidates could have possibly wanted to fill that position themselves.
- Three AL East general managers will likely be staying put, says FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (video link). The Yankees and Brian Cashman are mutually interested in continuing their relationship, Andrew Friedman is "extremely loyal" to Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and since Theo Epstein has one year left on his Red Sox contract, an interested suitor like the Cubs would have to give Epstein the proverbial "offer he can't refuse" in order to convince him to leave.
- Also from Rosenthal, he hears from sources close to Ozzie Guillen who feel the manager's recent demand for a contract extension was "a classic Ozzie diversionary tactic" to take the heat off the players. On the other hand, common sense dictates that Guillen wants more job security and doesn't want to risk being fired in mid-season if the White Sox struggle in 2012. One anonymous GM tells Rosenthal to bet on both Guillen and Kenny Williams staying in Chicago, since Jerry Reinsdorf is loyal to both men.
beane would not work out well in NYC. He needs full control of a team and the Steinbrenner’s simply aren’t going to let him have it.
I really want to see what beane could do with a big market team.
beane would trade all the Yankee top prospects and would trade Nova, Hughes, Joba, Robertson , Gardner and Cano. No thanks
beane would trade all the Yankee top prospects and would trade Nova, Hughes, Joba, Robertson , Gardner and Cano. No thanks
Beane isn’t going anywhere
Kinda weird thing but if I saw any of these guys walking down the street I wouldnt know who they were… Unless it was a guy who looked like Brad Pitt wearing a As hat…
I also would love to see Beane in command of a big market team. No matter which, just a team that would spend big on the draft as well as the open market rather than a cheap one like he is stuck with.