Ranking the six MLB GM openings from Red Sox to Marlins
Now that the Phillies have cut ties with Ruben Amaro Jr., there are six GM openings in baseball. Let's attempt to rank them by desirability.
By
Mike Axisa
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5 min read
Thursday afternoon, the Phillies declined to extend the contract of senior vice president and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., which was a nice way of saying he was fired. A search for a permanent GM will begin immediately while assistant GM Scott Proefrock takes over on an interim basis.
There are now six GM openings around the league, and of course some jobs are more desirable than others for various reasons. We're going to attempt to rank these six GM openings from most desirable to least desirable. Obviously this is totally subjective. You're welcome to disagree. Away we go.
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1. Boston Red Sox |
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Pros: Excellent farm system, young players at MLB level, ton of money, historic ballpark, dedicated fan base The Red Sox have a plethora of young talent at the MLB level (Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr.) and in the minors (Yoan Moncada, Rafael Devers, Alex Benintendi), plus ownership has shown they run one of the highest payrolls in baseball on an annual basis. At the same time, Dombrowski was hired as the new president of baseball operations last month, and he'll likely heavy influence and the final say on all major decisions. No GM has true autonomy, but the next Red Sox GM could have less than most. Also, the Red Sox are in danger of finishing in last place for the third time in four years and ownership is going to want to this team turned around fast. |
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2. Philadelphia Phillies |
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Pros: Much improved farm system, lots of money, possible No. 1 pick in 2016 draft Amaro is leaving behind a sorry MLB roster -- Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola, Ken Giles and Odubel Herrera are potential here-to-stay building blocks, that's about it -- but a greatly improved farm system with impact talent not far from the big leagues, most notably shortstop J.P. Crawford. Ownership has always been willing to spend and the Phillies don't have a ton of future contract obligations. In fact, they have only $64 million in salary commitments for 2016. This is a club that has not had a payroll under $160 million since 2010 and they just signed a new monster television deal. Money is no issue. The new GM will have a great farm system, a super high draft pick in 2016, and a ton of cash to play with in the coming years. At the same time, MacPhail recently signed on as team president, and he figures to have the dominant front office voice. That's a bit of a drawback. |
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3. Seattle Mariners |
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Pros: Great city, great ballpark, King Felix The Mariners might be the best "clean slate" GM job available. The next GM will need to be experienced, and will presumably get a chance to bring in his own people -- scouts, analysts, coaches, manager, etc. -- and build the team in his view. The Robinson Cano contract probably won't end well, but ownership is willing to spend (example: Cano), Felix Hernandez is still only 29, and it's a wonderful ballpark and city. Lots to like here, assuming the next GM can figure out why elite prospects like Dustin Ackley, Justin Smoak, Jesus Montero and Mike Zunino stopped hitting as soon as they got to Safeco field. |
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4. Milwaukee Brewers |
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Pros: Great ballpark, revived farm system, dedicated owner, Selig ties The Brew Crew do have some bad contracts on the books -- Ryan Braun is signed through 2020, Matt Garza through 2017 -- but they are also an indication owner Mark Attanasio is willing to invest in the team despite their mid-range payroll and market size. The club has a revived farm system thanks in part to their deadline trades and their ballpark is fantastic, so those are two big positives. This is a sneaky desirable GM job. The potential for a sky high payroll does not exist, but the Brewers have a good owner and a bunch of talented young players, plus former commissioner Bud Selig is perpetually in their corner. Unfortunately, they'll also have to compete with the Cardinals, Pirates and Cubs in the toughest division in baseball. |
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5. Los Angeles Angels |
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Pros: Mike Trout, lots of money, Southern California weather On one hand you have Trout, the best all-around player in baseball, and he's still only 24. On the other hand you have an unfireable manager in Mike Scioscia, who has way more pull than the typical manager. The power struggle with Scioscia led to Jerry Dipoto resigning as GM earlier this summer, remember. The Angels also lack impact talent in the farm system -- it's getting better but is still one of the worst systems in the game -- and owner Arte Moreno wants to win right now, while Trout is still in his prime and before Albert Pujols turns into a pumpkin, so much so that he's stepped in and brokered deals himself in recent years. Not ideal working conditions for a GM. |
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6. Miami Marlins |
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Pros: New ballpark, great city, Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton Dan Jennings was moved from GM to manager earlier this year and the team technically does not have a GM at the moment. They've been preparing to make sweeping front office changes however, and a new GM figures to be part of those changes. Fernandez and Stanton are two young megastars with marquee value who can absolutely be at the center of a World Series contender. The core is already in place. Jeff Loria is the very worst owner in sports though, one who changes the direction of the franchise on a whim and rarely runs a respectable payroll. As a result, the Marlins have a tough time cultivating fans despite winning two World Series relatively early in their existence. As long as Loria is calling the shots, it's very hard to see how this franchise will thrive long-term regardless of who takes over as GM. |
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