Deal or No Deal: The Five Best GM's in Baseball

With all the big moves that have been made this past week in baseball there has been a lot of praise for General Mangers such as Jim Hendry, Doug Melvin, and even Billy Beane (who of these three is the only one to give up an ace). Therefore it got me thinking who is the best GM in baseball? 

When talking about Hendry in Chicago the last 24 hours I have heard several references to him being “a god,” “the greatest man there ever was,” and “that guy who just traded for Mark Prior Jr.” (Probably should ignore that last quote). In Milwaukee signs were held up thanking Doug Melvin for making a “real” trade as well as saying he is the first GM Milwaukee’s had in the last 20 years that cared more about winning than making a quick buck.

Yet we can’t just look at the past week or the first half of the season, we must examine GM’s histories. Who has been the smartest with money, made the best trade, and overall improved their team over the tenure. (Note: Also this list is only made up of current GM’s in baseball).

Here is my top Five:

5. Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay Rays – One of the newer and younger GM’s in baseball, Friedman has shown that already he has what it takes to keep up with the big two of the AL East. While not all of the Ray’s success and player development can be attributed to Friedman, a large chunk of their current success can.

In 2005 Friedman was appointed to take over for Tampa’s first GM Chuck Lamar and immediately, along with new owner Stuart Steinberg, began on overhaul on a team that had never won more than 70 games in its existence. He focused the team to be rebuilt around its young outfield and pitching staff lead by newly acquired Scott Kazmir.

During the ’06 season he cut salary by trading away players such as Julio Lugo and Aubrey Huff who didn’t fit into the redevelopment plans of the team. Friedman traded away more longtime Rays in order to rebuild the roster. The moves paid off as the Ray’s were able to acquire through these trades J.P. Howell and Dioner Navarro, two players that have played huge roles in the Rays’ success this year (Navarro even being named to the All-Star team). By cutting certain salaries the Ray’s were able to sign Akinori Iwamura who has anchored down the Ray’s middle infield. Friedman also signed Carlos Pena to a minor league contract previous to the ’07 season and watched Pena hit 46 hrs and win AL comeback player of the year.

Friedman’s largest and riskiest move was to trade number one prospect Delmon Young for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett. So far the move has paid off as Garza has become a large part of the Ray’s young pitching staff and Bartlett has played well at short so far.  Though it hurt to lose such a young star in Young, the move helped fill two large needs for the Rays and made them a better rounded team.

Friedman also signed veteran closer Troy Percival before the season. Percival was one of the league’s top closers this season before he was injured.

Besides rebuilding the team Friedman, the former investment banker, has along with the owners rebuilt the image of the Rays. By dropping the “Devil” and make Tropicana a more fan friendly park (They even have a Ray tank). Audience has reached peaks in the last two seasons and has brought forth the idea of building a beautiful water-front stadium in the next few years.

So despite being young any man that can make the Rays relevant/contenders deserves to be on this list.

4. Pat Gillick, Philadelphia Phillies– Probably the most decorated GM on this list, Pat Gillick has been a winner everywhere he goes.

Gillick started his career with the Toronto Blue Jays as their assistant GM in their inaugural season. The next year he was named GM and over the course of the next 16 years would transform a team that finished with 109 losses into a team that went on to make the playoffs 5 times (back when only four teams made it) and win back to back World Series.

Prior to the ’92 season Gillick acquired World-Series MVP Jack Morris would go on and win 21 games for the Jays that season. Gillick would also sign Dave Winfield who at the time wasn’t the youngest free agent but would play a key role as Toronto’s DH all season and eventual drive in the game winning run in the 1992 World Series.

The next year Gillick would take big risk by releasing Winfield and long time Toronto closer Tom Henke. But with the free cap-space he was able to sign Paul Molitor and Dave Stewart both who would play large parts in a second World Series run.  He also made a key trade in August for Ricky Henderson who would become the Jay’s leadoff man for the rest of the season and playoffs.

After his success up north Gillick moved on and brought his winning ways to Baltimore and reached the ALCS twice.

He then left for Seattle where he would win over 90 games each season he was there. During His first season in Seattle the Mariners won the wild-card and advanced to the ALCS. This however would not compare the success he would have the following season.

Gillick signed a Japanese superstar by the name of Ichiro Suzuki who won rookie of the year and MVP in the same season and helped the Mariner’s win a major league record (tied with 1906 Cubs) 116 games and another trip to the ALCS.

In 2005 Gillick became GM of the Phillies. He implemented the philosophy of trading away aging stars to allow younger players to develop. His first major move was trading away Jim Thome for Aaron Rowand, and two prospects. Not only did this save Philly money but allowed them to develop Ryan Howard who would become MVP and one of the league perennial power hitters.

In 2007 The Phillies made the playoffs by winning the NL East giving Gillick the legacy of making the playoffs with every team he has been a GM with.

A proven winner Gillick has proven that he is one of the game’s all-time greatest GMs.

3. Billy Beane, Oakland A’s – Beane has redefined the way baseball teams have been together over the past decade.

Beane who has been GM of the A’s since ’97 has been able to put together a team time and time again that has been successful on the field yet have one of the cheapest payrolls. He has consistently finished the season in the bottom 10 for salaries but top 10 in wins.

How he has been able to accomplish such success is through his implementation of Sabermetrics (an analysis of players through objective stats) and his key instincts.

Though Beane’s moves have no always been popular with the fans that usually pay off in the end for his team, for example Beane had put together one of the best pitching staffs in baseball with his big three in Hudson, Mulder, and Zito. Slowly he let each one go despite all three of them have immense success during their time with Oakland. But Beane stuck to his gun and would not overpay for players that he felt had already had their best years. Beane traded Hudson to the Braves where he has spent substantial time on the DL and has yet to make an All-Star team there. Traded Mulder to St. Louis for Dan Haren, Haren developed into a perennial star while Mulder failed to match his success, went to the DL numerous times, and if you watched the Cardinal’s game on Wednesday might never pitch again.  Finally he didn’t resign Zito who went on to sign an enormous deal across the bridge with the Giants. If you follow baseball at all you know how that has turned out (Zito has been considered one of the worst free agent signings of all time).

The A’s made the playoffs from 2000-2004 under Beane and again in 2006 where they reached the ALCS.  

Beane has recently had success by signing aging starts, who he believes can still contribute, rather cheaply. These include Mike Piazza and Frank Thomas both who produced positively during their stay with the A’s.

This year many expected the A’s to be in a rebuilding process but they have 50 wins and are again in the playoff hunt.

Many continue to question Beane’s methods but no one in baseball can match Beane’s success with the money he has spent. Beane has revolutionized the game as many teams have now hired Sabermetric experts after seeing his success. Beane even serves on the board of trustees for the company NetSuite as their owner believes this is analytical approach and great instincts are perfect for the company.

2. Jim Hendry, Chicago Cubs – Love him or hate him you have to admit he is one of the most proactive GM’s in baseball.

Hendry has never been afraid to pull of the big trade to help improve his team (unlike another GM in Chicago who resides at the Unite Center).

Since his appoint in 2002 by then Cub’s President Andy MacPhail Hendry has made numerous exciting moves that has helped shape the loveable losers into World Series contenders.

Hendry’s first major move was to trade controversial pitcher Julian Tavarez and at the time a little known minor league pitcher named Dontrelle Willis for starting pitcher Matt Clement and closer Antonio Alfonseca.  At the first the deal looked like a homerun as the Cubs acquired a quality starter who would be an anchor in the rotation for years to come and a reliable closer for only a spot starter and unknown minor leaguer. However Hendry began to catch criticism later as Willis would go on to win the 2003 Rookie of the Year award, become an All-Star, and beat the Cubs in the ’03 playoffs. While Alfonseca and his 12 fingers had several meltdowns and became an instant bust with the Cubs, Clement would be one of the most consistent Cubs pitchers but never matched the success Willis had in his early years with Florida.

Hendry had the privilege as well to try and get rid of several bad contracts the Cubs had.  Being the dealmaker he was he found a taker for disliked, overpaid, and underperforming catcher Todd Hundley. He sent Hundley to the Dodgers for two aging starters: 2B Mark Grudzielanek and 1B Eric Karros. Though the two never were superstars with the Cubs they both contributed positively and provided veteran leadership for the ’03 season.

Hendry’s finest hour came midway through the ’03 campaign as the Cubs had been one of baseball’s top teams but began to stumble after centerfielder Corey Patterson, who was having a breakout year, injured his knee.  Hendry trade unproductive second base prospect Bobby Hill and underperforming veteran Jose Hernandez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for centerfielder Kenny Lofton. Lofton would become the Cub’s leadoff man and anchor the outfield for the rest of the season. Also received in the trade was a young, error-prone, third-basemen named Aramis Ramirez.

Ramirez would blossom into one of the game’s third basemen and perennial All-Star while Hill would slowly disappear from Major League Baseball. 

Hendry would also acquire during that season beefy slugger Randall Simon from the Pirates who would provide power for the Cubs during their ’03 playoff run.

After the disappointment of the ’03 season Hendry sent off young Hee Seop Choi to the team that had beat the Cubs in the playoffs, the Marlins, and received Derek Lee in return. Now most of you probably have never heard of or don’t remember Hee Seop, well he would disappear two years later and reappear in Korea in ’07. Lee on the other hand has become an All-Star and a leader for the Cubs since then.

In the ’04 season Hendry also made more trades and signings that would bring Greg Maddux, Michael Barrett, and Latroy Hawkins to the team. The Cub’s seemed destined to finish what they had started in the ’03 season.  At the trade deadline Hendry made a trade that seemed to be the last piece of the puzzle. In four team trade he  traded away shortstop Alex Gonzalez and prospects Brendan Harris, Francis Beltran, and Justin Jones. While the Cubs received All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and  prospect Matt Murton. Yet injuries and a late season collapse would prevent the Cubs from making the playoffs.

During the ’05 and ’06 seasons Hendry started trimming away the fat as the Cubs fell further into a tunnel of disarray. He traded away Cub legends Sammy Sosa and Greg Maddux, as well as long-time Cub Kyle Farnsworth. Though the Cubs did not receive a lot in return it freed up salary for the offseason prior to the ’07 season.

During this time Hendry resigned Ramirez. Signed new Cubs skipper Lou Piniella. Brought in current Cubs second basemen Mark DeRosa as well as starting pitchers Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis. His biggest signing though was superstar Left Fielder Alfonso Soriano. All of these players would play huge roles in getting the Cubs back to the playoff in ’07.

Also during the season he would trade away feuding catcher Michael Barrett. This would eventually clear the path for Geovany Soto, who would be brought up and even start for the Cubs during the playoffs. This year Soto has become the first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star game.

The ’08 season hasn’t been any different as Hendry has continued to make moves to put the Cubs in position to win their first World Series in the last 100 years. He locked up team Ace Carlos Zambrano to an long term deal in the offseason. He signed japans superstar Kosuke Fukudome to play right field for the Cubs.  He also signed brought in Jim Edmonds after he was cut by the Padres. Since being with the Cubs Edmonds has re-found his offensive stroke and stellar defensive play that made so many Cubs hate him when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals.  He and Reed Johnson, who was also picked up after being cut, have provided stability in center field this year, a position many feared would be a weakness for the Cubs.

His biggest move this year had to be acquiring Oakland Ace Rich Harden and pitcher Chad Gaudin for Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, and Josh Donaldson. Patterson and Murton have split time between the Minors and the Bigs this year. Donaldson has struggled in Double-A and Gallagher despite having lots of potential has been very inconsistent this year.

Every deal that Hendry has made has been to bring the Cubs closer to a World Series ring. He has knack for what many call “ripping off” teams by trading away young prospects that never pan out for instant help. He has an uncanny ability for make big trades when the Cubs need it, as you can see in ’03 and this year. His moves have made him one of the best GM’s in baseball and if he does finally bring home  a World Series ring for the Cubs, maybe then he can rightfully be referred to as a god.

1. Theo Epstein, Boston Red Sox- Six years ago Larry Lucchino was named the new president of the Red Sox.  By the end of the season he made MLB history by hiring 28 year old Theo Epstein as the youngest GM in MLB history. Two years later Epstein ended an 86 year championship drought by not winning a World Series once but twice.

After working PR for the San Diego Padres, Epstein was hired by his former boss, Larry Lucchino, to work underneath him and was eventually named GM to replace interim GM Mike Port.  Soon after being named GM Epstein along with the new management team of John Henry, Tom Werner, and Lucchino implemented a system of Sabermetrics similar to Billy Beane’s.  During the ’03 season through this new system the Sox lead the majors in batting average, set a new team record for homeruns, and broke the all-time record for slugging percentage.

Epstein also made key trades on his way to a first World Series championship.  Prior to the ’04 season Epstein traded for superstar pitcher Curt Schilling. Rumor has it that Epstein spent thanksgiving dinner with the Schilling family trying and eventually convincing Curt to waive his no-trade clause and join the Red Sox. Luckily he did because Schilling’s heroic efforts would help the Sox on their way to the title.

Epstein made his riskiest move by trading long-time Red Sox and fan favorite Nomar Garciappara for Doug Sienkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera. Sienkiewicz leadership and bat along with Cabrera’s glove and speed, matched with the speed of late-season pickup Dave Roberts proved to be a deadly combination for the Sox.

Despite some key losses over the next few years Epstein would compensate by trading for Ace Josh  Becket and third basemen Mike Lowell both would play key roles in the Sox second championship run.

The Sox also developed many young pictures including Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Jonathon Papelbon under Epstein and as well as center fielder Jacob Ellsbury. Each one of these players have become some of the league’s young players, not only contributing now but providing a bright future for Sox Nation.  

However prior to the ’07 season Epstein signed the Japanese grand prize Daisuke Matsuzakaand also set-up man Hideki Okajima, these two imports would help make Boston’s pitching staff one of the best in the MLB.  Epstein continued the youth movement by moving Julio Lugo to make room for young Dustin Pedoria who would go on and win the ’07 AL Rookie of the Year award.

These key moves culminated in yet another World Series title as the Red Sox swept the Rockies. This year the Red Sox are yet again in the race having one of the best records in baseball.

Despite only being in the league for less than a decade and being so young Theo Epstein has accomplished more than many GM’s will accomplish in their entire careers. The charismatic Bostonian (grew up a mile away from Fenway) has built a team around superstars but also has some of the best young talent in baseball. Furthermore Epstein doesn’t dish out money to those who can’t produce his system of Sabermetrics has been a huge part of his and Boston’s success. He has figured out a formula that so many can’t and because of this will continue to be successful for years to come. This is why Epstein is my number GM and plus any man that can break a curse and win two World Series in four years when it took 86 to win one, deserves some credit.