Checking in on the league’s front office landscape:
- Previous reports suggested the Phillies might not be in a hurry to replace former GM Matt Klentak, potentially relying on interim GM Ned Rice to run their day-to-day baseball operations until the end of 2021. That still might be the case, but Philadelphia’s at least doing their due diligence already. Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo is under consideration for the job, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network (Twitter link). He was also in the mix for the Phillies’ GM vacancy back in 2015, when the position went to Klentak. Picollo joined the Kansas City organization in 2006 and has been an AGM under Dayton Moore since 2008.
- The Angels fired GM Billy Eppler after the season. In their search for a replacement, owner Arte Moreno is looking for an executive with experience leading a scouting or player development department, Morosi reports. Los Angeles is in the very early stages of the process, but Morosi runs down a handful of names already under consideration.
- After parting ways with president of baseball operations Michael Hill, the Marlins are set to embark on an executive search as well. One person worth keeping an eye on when the hiring process kicks off, according to Sportsgrid’s Craig Mish (Twitter link): Yankees special assistant Jim Hendry. The 65-year-old has been in the New York organization since 2012. His tenure has overlapped with Marlins CEO Derek Jeter’s playing career, as well as Miami director of player development and scouting Gary Denbo’s time in the Yankees’ front office. Hendry is most well-known for his stint as Cubs general manager from 2002-2011.
Angels – just dont pick dombrowski
At least Dombrowski would get the Angles into the playoffs.
It’s pitching that’ll get them in
Problem is Moreno forces the GM to take players he wants not what the GM wants. Moreno needs to go for the angels to win again. We already know that Moreno will throw money at the highest paid free agent and then expect the angels to win.
Exactly. A GM can’t operate autonomously here.
YUP
JJ – I don’t think GM’s ever operate in a vacuum without input from the owner. It’s the owner’s money so he obviously has a say in where his money is spent. Traditionally, Moreno will spend money on a big bat, but won’t spend it on a pitching staff. It’s proven every year that pitching wins championships. Without it nothing else matters, as the Angels have shown. We’ve had a stacked lineup and great defense for years with zero results. It’s because of poor pitching. The next GM will have to consult with Moreno on acquisitions but he or she also needs to convince Moreno that the lineup is secondary to an overhaul of the entire pitching staff.
A lot of the possible names listed for the Angels sound interesting. Seems like good backgrounds with results in player development
That list is out dated, most are not qualified, Scott Sharp is the best name so far, looks like DD wants to stay in Nashville
Naw, I thought tbay at first but the Angels sitting president alluded to the org being rotten from within (player development and scouting) and he’s gonna spring for someone who can really build infrastructure.
The thing to look for most is if they separate powers of John Cipriano (angels President) and whoever leads baseball ops. Currently the reports of meddling have come from both Arte and JC and if they find someone who can build a real dev org that will have to stop.
I agree. I think there needs to be a sharp separation of powers/input for real change to happen. The question is will that be allowed to happen.
John Carpino is the President of the Angels.
The Dodgers head of scouting would fit that
Who gas pipe? Or the guy who’s been fired 3x’s? Wrong!!
The scout who discovered Mike Trout has been fired 4x. Scouts get fired, more than anyone else in baseball.
Exactly, and far too often, but that make them competent to be a GM! Remember, Grichick was their 1st pick, Trout happened to fall in place nicely!
FYI, they were set to take Trout as their top pick way before the draft even started. Check out that great story.
It’s hard to believe in this day and age that any baseball fan doesn’t realize that Trout was the Angels real first pick.
Memo to Middleton: Sign. Michael. Hill.
Accept no substitute.
LOL…as a Marlins fan that had a front row view of Mike Hill’s ineptitude, I find it hilarious that people are singing for him to join their team.
I hope hope hope that the Phillies or Mets get this guy. That would be awesome…for Marlins fans.
I hear John Coppoella is available LOL
In jail for life!
He’s not in actual jail
The guy built the current Braves team. If it was possible, he would be a great choice.
Theo Epstein for angels.. Arte spends money and Cubs ownership got cheap after World Series win
The cubs had the 3rd highest payroll in 2019 at 220 million, I don’t understand this narrative. Their payroll commitments just caught up with them
We surely know that Epstein will not go to the real challenge of running a small market team. He’s learned that analytics works well with a bunch of money backing you up.
It’s kind of like Phil Jackson’s Triangle Offense works well when it has MH and Scottie or Shaq, Kob, and Rice or Kobe and Pau. Not so much with Carmeeeelo and the equipment manager.
Epstein is good at what he does. He delivers on the goal which is to win a WS
Let’s see if he can deliver in Pittsburgh.
Angel Owner should ask the Dodgers permission to speak to Friedman. Arte should offer him the title as President and double his salary and has full authority. .He can name the GM. I’m sure Maddon wouldn’t mind.
Friedman is the Dodgers President and why would he ever leave. There’s only 1 GM job that is arguably more prestigious than the Dodgers.
Leave the Dodgers for the Angels and their meddling owner? Not going to happen.
As I wrote. Arte would give the Title as President and Full Authority and he can pick his GM while getting paid double what the Dodgers pay him.
Titles are superfluous. Moreno can name someone The Heavenly Overlord and Guardian Protector and you’ll still have him calling shots.
I’ll take that title even with a meddling owner
Friedman already has the title of President and is under contract through 2024. Pretty sure he’s not leaving any time soon.
Halo Hank you are doubling down on your ignorance.
Putting aside the fact the Dodgers would not grant permission …
Friedman already is President of baseball operations so how are you offering a better title?
Double his salary to what $20 million per year. Insane.
You are going to let him have full authority. Haha he already has.
Oh he can pick the GM? He already does that.
Friedman just signed a new deal with the Dodgers a few months ago.
and why would the Dodgers allow that..? As you said, they would need to give permission.
HaloHank I think you should lay off the comments as what you said is just embarrassing to you.
Looks like the Angels have passed on Dombrowski and are headed in the right direction. I’m pleasantly surprised given that Arte and his crack advisor Tony LaRussa are instrumental in the search. Keep up the good work gentlemen.
Logan White drafted well with the Dodgers who also had a solid international scouting system. After leaving the Dodgers he went to the Padres who also have been strong in the draft and international signings. He understands player development. Both San Diego and LA utilize analytics so it seems he would have an understanding of that and both teams were/are in the post season this year which seems to have it’s advantage. Both teams have been active traders. All that said White seems to check off all the boxes.
tony regins for the angels! he was very good in scouting and great in player development. as a gm he took a fall for arte.
I liked Regins, his problem was the same as Eppler’s problem, couldn’t close the deal with FA. Regins was able to draft pitchers though.
Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo is under consideration for the job
Hahahaha
This is too funny
Mike Arbuckle Sr. was the vanquished opponent after Pat Gillick retired and Ruben Amaro was chosen instead as Gillick’s successor
Arbuckle went to the Royals as an adviser and Amaro destroyed what Gillick built
Now the Phillies are looking to the Royals???? How ironic and Arbuckle just retired
Anyway…
Jim Hendry for the Marlins? Yikes. I’ll say this: Jim liked to get things done, but it wasn’t always the smart things. The Cubs needed a leadoff hitter and a middle of the order bat, so they gave Soriano a monster deal, and used him in the leadoff spot when his OBP and strikeout rate were trash. What should they have done instead? Carlos Lee was a free agent that same season and would have been cheaper and was a monster in the NL Central. That’s just one of many blunders Hendry has credit for.
The worst part about Hendry and his team under him were his draft picks. The Cubs had numerous top 10 picks with Hendry at the helm, and I don’t know that any became an impact player. The Marlins are still a young and upcoming team. They can’t afford to miss on top picks the way Hendry did with the Cubs.
Correction – Baez was a Hendry draft pick.
The Marlins operate with a committee making decisions. Even if it’s Hendry, he’ll be an opinion on a committee – not the final word.
Cubs made some noise on Hendry’s watch, but they didn’t do anything. At the end of his tenure the Cubs’ roster was jammed up with dead wood and bad contracts that took a while to jettison. Not only that I seem to remember that Hendry was having some significant heart problems late in his tenure. I might give him an interview, but that’s about it.
If your saying you would not hire him why would you give him an interview
McLeod, Owens and White are my top 3 GM picks.
Can we get 2? One as President of baseball Ops. And one as GM? That would be an elite front office with a great future.
Arte could have made a run at Friedman a couple if years ago when his contract was up. They didn’t. I would go for the guy who succeeded Friedman in TB.
Middleton ought to hire me. Been avidly following this team since 1953. I’d build a farm system which would year after year develop and add significant pieces to the MLB roster.
Oh, wait. That sounds like the Dodgers’ guy. Nuff said!