What They Were Saying: AL West GMs
Billy Beane may be the best-known general manager in baseball, but that wasn’t the case when he replaced Sandy Alderson in 1997. Here’s how Beane was presented to fans back when he was promoted to his current position, plus notes on his three AL West counterparts (click here to see what they were saying about AL East GMs and here to see what they were saying about AL Central GMs):
Jack Zduriencik
“Jack Zduriencik, who has made his baseball reputation as a scouting guru, was asked Friday to give a scouting report on his own administrative style.
‘I'm a 24/7 guy,’ he replied. ‘I'm a little no-nonsense. I like to get right down to it; there's a job to be done here, let's not waste each other's time. I like decisions.’" – Larry Stone, The Seattle Times, October 25th, 2008
Tony Reagins
“While the promotion of Reagins keeps the Angels' hierarchy largely intact, it does elevate an inexperienced hand to the critical position of general manager. Though he has spent 16 years in the Angels' organization, Reagins' only experience in negotiating contracts has been in dealing with minor-league free agents.” – Bill Plunkett, The Orange County Register, October 17th, 2007
Jon Daniels
“Daniels' Queens upbringing comes off as rather normal, with no hints of his blazing career path. Following his mother's example, he grew up a Mets fan, first in Fresh Meadows, then in Bayside; it was the mid-'80s, and everyone around him cheered on Davey Johnson and his wild players as the pitching-poor Yankees couldn't make the playoffs. He attended P.S. 26, and before seventh grade, he was accepted into an academically gifted program run by Hunter College on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
‘It was kind of a quick learning process,’ recalled Jon Daniels, ‘to go from a mama's boy from Queens to having a little more court awareness.’- Ken Davidoff, Newsday, November 25th, 2005
Billy Beane
“One of three first-round picks by the Mets in 1980, Beane, an infielder/outfielder, had a six-year major- league career with the Mets, Tigers, Twins and A's.
‘This is something that since I was 18, I've looked forward to doing,’ said Beane. ‘I've wanted to run a ball club.’
And Beane knows he has some work ahead of him. The A's finished 65-97, the worst record in baseball.” – David Bush, The San Francisco Chronicle, October 18th, 1997
Astros Exercise Mills’ 2012 Option, Add 2013 Option
Brad Mills began his rookie season 17-34 but ended it 59-52 and was rewarded today when the Astros picked up his 2012 option. The team also announced a new option for 2013 and expressed confidence in Mills' ability to lead Houston to the playoffs.
“He brings every quality that you look for in a successful Major League manager," GM Ed Wade said. "All that he cares about is helping build a championship club."
The Astros posted the fourth-best record in the National League after the All-Star break under Mills, a 53-year-old who played four seasons for the Montreal Expos and coached for the Red Sox.
Rockies May Be Talking Contract With De La Rosa
There are strong indications that the Rockies started discussing a contract with Jorge De La Rosa this week, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The left-hander hits free agency this offseason, but the Rockies have exclusive negotiating rights until shortly after the World Series ends.
De La Rosa missed two months with a torn tendon in his finger and walks 4.1 batters per nine innings. That will hurt his market value, but his age (29), strikeout rate (8.4 K/9) and groundball rate (52.3%) will likely entice potential suitors.
He doesn’t have to convince the Rockies – they’re interested. Not only did Colorado offer De La Rosa a two-year deal worth $8.75MM in the offseason, GM Dan O’Dowd recently said that re-signing him is a priority. De La Rosa won't cost the Rockies a draft pick, but if he turns down arbitration to sign elsewhere, Colorado will obtain a top pick for losing a Type A free agent.
Signing Gonzalez “Doesn’t Appear To Be Practical”
The Padres will likely explore an extension with their star first baseman this offseason, but the team’s CEO isn’t optimistic about reaching a long-term agreement with Adrian Gonzalez. Jeff Moorad told Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune that it may not make sense for the Padres to keep Gonzalez after 2011.
“While we’d still love to have Adrian here long-term, it doesn’t appear to be practical from a financial standpoint,” Moorad said. “So I’m certainly not counting on that. But we’ll engage and see if there’s a deal that can be made."
Gonzalez will earn $5.5MM next year in the final year of his contract, assuming the Padres exercise their option. That’s a safe assumption since Gonzalez hit 31 homers this year and posted a .298/.393/.511 line in 692 plate appearances.
“At this point, I expect him to be on our roster next season,” Moorad said. “I think [GM Jed Hoyer is] committed to sit down with [agent] John Boggs at some point and I’m sure we’ll get a feel about Adrian’s view of the future.”
Moorad said the team’s payroll will likely be in the $40-50MM range, so paying Gonzalez market value (likely over $15MM per season) seems unrealistic at this point.
Managerial Notes: Porter, Samuel, Padres
As Marlins executive Larry Beinfest recently pointed out, it's a good time to be a managerial candidate in the major leagues. Here are the latest updates on the many openings around the game:
- The Pirates announced (on Twitter) that they interviewed Bo Porter for their vacancy today. The team has already interviewed Eric Wedge for the position.
- Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates seem likely to interview Juan Samuel as a managerial candidate.
- Samuel, who briefly managed the Orioles this year, has spoken informally to the Brewers about their managerial job and would like to be considered for it, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun and Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley is not looking or lobbying for a managerial job, according to Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
What They Were Saying: AL Central GMs
Ever wonder how Dave Dombrowski was perceived before he ran the Marlins and long before he ran the Tigers? Keep on reading to see how he and the rest of the American League Central General Managers were described when they were hired as GMs for the first time (and click here to read about some top AL East execs):
Chris Antonetti
“Back when he was an unpaid Montreal Expos intern, pocketing 25 cents per ice cream cone sold at Florida State League games, Chris Antonetti understood the value of seeing a plan to its fruition. At least, you'd have to assume he did.
"Because how else would you explain someone who had recently completed the University of Massachusetts sports management graduate program hawking Drumsticks in the 100-degree heat for a little cash on the side?” – Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com, April 13th, 2010
Dayton Moore
“Now 39, well-dressed, with a graying brush cut, Moore is serious about building a team in the manner of his mentor with the Braves, John Schuerholz, who ideally had three or four homegrown players competing each season for major league roster spots. Moore wants to develop the type of prospects who, if necessary, can be dealt for established major leaguers, as the Braves did last year.” – Richard Sandomir, The New York Times, June 25th, 2006
Bill Smith
“Bill Smith didn't play the game and learn to scout it like [former Twins GM] Terry Ryan. His beginning as a baseball executive began in a non-traditional way. When Smith was finishing at Hamilton College in upstate New York, the winter meetings were being held nearby in Toronto. Professors were skeptical about him skipping his last classes, but he wanted a job in the sport … The son of a Coast Guard officer, a native of New Hampshire, and a French major at Hamilton, Smith fit that bill with a background he called a 'little bit off the wall.'" – Dave Campbell, The Associated Press, September 14th, 2007
Kenny Williams
"Don't expect the 36-year-old Williams – formerly the White Sox' minor-league director – to go into the [approaching team] meetings with a wheel-and-deal mentality … 'I really needed to get a handle on things at the organizational meetings because I've been so absorbed with the minor-league system,' Williams said.” – Scot Gregor, The Chicago Daily Herald, November 2nd, 2000
Dave Dombrowski
“In Montreal, the new boss is the same age or younger than five of his Expo players, and folks are more than a trifle puzzled. David Mark Dombrowski is 31.
"Cherub-faced, he looks younger. Buck Rodgers, the Expos' manager, was in Double A ball before his new boss was born. More than a few of Dombrowski's fellow general managers in the major leagues could pass for his grandfather. Beaver Cleaver, for crying out loud, is older than Dombrowski.
"So, folks wonder, who is this young whippersnapper and how is it that he can become the general manager of a major-league baseball club before his 32nd birthday? Well, it helped Dombrowski that he has an aggressive-but-amicable personality, good baseball acumen and a slick ability to pass himself off as someone who has spent 31 years in administration rather than 31 years on earth. It helped that he was the recipient of a break several years ago from the late Bill Veeck.
"And it helped that he was in the right place at the right time, a much-needed antithesis to the drab, ineffective Bill Stoneman, whom he replaced last week as the Expos' man in charge of player-related matters.” – Marty York, The Globe & Mail, July 16, 1988
Odds & Ends: Halladay, Dodgers, De La Rosa
Links for Thursday, as we await another day of playoff games. It will be nearly impossible to match the show Roy Halladay put on in his playoff debut last night, but October baseball is always worth following…
- Former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he was surprised not to see better offers for Halladay when the right-hander was on the market last year. "We kept sitting there saying, ‘This is Roy Freaking Halladay! Do people know?’ Not only will you have him for this year, but you’ll have him for next year."
- Dodgers executive De Jon Watson told Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse that Zach Lee and James Baldwin are two farmhands to watch. The 2010 draftees are impressing their new organization with their play so far. (Baldwin, the son of former MLB pitcher James Baldwin, is an outfielder.)
- Krasovic also says the Rockies “likely will lose” Jorge de la Rosa to free agency this winter. GM Dan O’Dowd recently said re-signing the left-hander is an offseason priority for the team.
- The Marlins outrighted Brett Carroll, Hector Luna, Mike Rivera, Taylor Tankersley and Tim Wood, which means those five players are no longer on the team’s 40-man roster.
Mets Rumors: Boras, Hart, Alderson
It's been another frustrating year for Mets fans, but the organization is looking for a new GM and at least one major agent says the team is capable of much better. Here are the details:
- The Mets have about seven top GM candidates and a longer list of 30 people they'd consider for the job, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
- The Mets will interview White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn for their GM vacancy, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.
- Agent Scott Boras told Dan Martin of the New York Post that the Mets have what it takes to turn the team around. "The issue is transferring the success they enjoy in business and operating revenue issues and getting it to the field," Boras said. "I know they're working hard."
- Boras said the Mets are a "valid option" for his free agents and added that New York City is "a great place to play."
- Former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he has interest in becoming the next Mets GM. Now a senior adviser to the Rangers, Hart does not appear to be a leading candidate for the job, according to Sherman.
- The Mets "definitely" consider MLB executive Sandy Alderson a GM candidate, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com hears that Alderson would not need MLB's permission to take an offer from the Mets (Twitter links).
Matsuzaka Remains In Boston’s 2011 Plans
Physical conditioning and improved secondary pitches have placed Daisuke Matsuzaka firmly in Boston’s projected 2011 rotation. A Red Sox source told Alex Speier of WEEI.com that Matsuzaka is “very much” a part of the organization’s plans going forward. The Red Sox won’t try to trade the pitcher, partly because they saw improvement over the course of the 2010 season.
"To look where we were with him in March, and where we are now, I think we feel a lot better about it now,” GM Theo Epstein said.” Along the way there’s been consistent velocity that we hadn’t seen the last couple years, and some improvement in the secondary stuff, even as recently as his last couple starts, so again more positive signs to take into the winter."
Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield and Felix Doubront give Boston more rotation depth than most teams, but the organization expects to rely on seven or eight starters over the course of a full season, so Matsuzaka is likely staying put.
Peter Gammons suggested on WEEI last week that the Red Sox could flip Matsuzaka to the Mets for Carlos Beltran, but the Red Sox appear to have little interest in Beltran, according to Speier.
Third Base Options For The Indians
Indians GM Chris Antonetti told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that finding a third baseman will be one of his main jobs this winter. Here’s a look at needs, options and possible solutions for the Tribe:
The Goal
It would make sense to sign someone who can play third for a year while Jared Goedert and Lonnie Chisenhall develop into major league regulars. Goedert, 25, batted .283/.358/.532 with 27 homers in the upper minors this year. Chisenhall, who turned 22 this week, had a strong season at Double-A, but likely needs seasoning.
Antonetti told Hoynes that he’d like to see improved infield defense next year, so free agents who can hold their own at the hot corner will appeal to Cleveland's front office.
The Options
Jayson Nix, Cord Phelps, Luis Valbuena and Andy Marte are internal options for the Indians, but none of the four have guarantees and it seems more likely that the Indians will add someone from outside the organization.
Adrian Beltre is a fantastic defender, but he has set himself up for a long-term deal and the Indians are probably not looking to make a long-term commitment to a third baseman given their minor league depth at the position.
Lots of other third basemen hit free agency this winter; the Indians could approach Jorge Cantu, Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada, Brandon Inge or Juan Uribe about a deal. All of those players should draw interest from multiple teams – Inge has discussed a deal with the Tigers – but there should be plenty of alternatives.
Joe Crede has a reputation as a good defender and could look to return next year after sitting out the 2010 season. Felipe Lopez and Pedro Feliz could also be considerations for the Tribe, but, like Crede, both come with question marks.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jose Lopez and Edwin Encarnacion are all non-tender candidates and could be available via trade or, by December, free agency.
A Possible Solution
The Indians have lots of choice, but here’s one solution I’d like to see: longtime Indian Omar Vizquel paired with Edwin Encarnacion (if he’s non-tendered). Vizquel, a switch-hitter who handles right-handers better than left-handers, could face tough righties and be a late-game defensive replacement at third and short. Encarnacion, who mashes lefties, could start against all southpaws and lots of right-handers.
The Indians may not have the chance to sign either player and even if they’re both available, there are surer ways for Antonetti to improve his infield defense than combining a 44-year-old with someone who has played below average defense in every season of his career (Encarnacion’s career UZR/150 is -11.7).
But Vizquel can still get on base (.341 OBP in 2010) and play all around the infield and Encarnacion definitely has power. It’s one fun option to think about, even if the Jays decide Encarnacion is worth $5-6MM in arbitration and Vizquel re-signs with the White Sox.