2012 MLB Spring Training: 5 General Managers Who Are Already on the Hot Seat

MLB general managers frequently lose their jobs.

Often times, executives are terminated for completing questionable transactions or seemingly not doing enough.

These five active GMs meet that criteria. Their jobs are in jeopardy entering 2012.

I am not suggesting that they are incompetent or unqualified.

They have all been confident in their past decisions, but now must be held responsible for gambles that simply aren't panning out.

Frank Wren (Atlanta Braves)

The Atlanta Braves are stacked with talented, affordable major leaguers like Brandon Beachy, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel. Moreover, Julio Teheran and Tyler Pastornicky are among their superb prospects ready to contribute in 2012.

But general manager Frank Wren did nothing this winter to counteract the major transactions completed elsewhere in the National League East. The Braves did not sign or acquire anybody of the caliber of Jonathan Papelbon (Philadelphia Phillies), Jose Reyes (Miami Marlins) or Gio Gonzalez (Washington Nationals).

Wren is not responsible for developing the aforementioned pre-arbitration eligible players into MLB All-Stars. However, keeping them atop the depth chart suggests that he hasn't prepared for the scenario in which they bust.

Additionally, he deserves to take heat for his handling of Michael Bourn and Dan Uggla.

Bourn is a terrific lead-off hitter and center fielder entering his final year under team control. Wren has yet to ink him to a contract extension.

Meanwhile, he granted Uggla too much security as a free agent in November 2010.

The one-dimensional second baseman is due a $13 million annual salary through 2015. All that despite being a notoriously weak fielder.

If Atlanta drops in the standings this regular season, Wren will be out of a job.

Jack Zduriencik (Seattle Mariners)

The MLB playoffs are a pipe dream for the Seattle Mariners in 2012.

What a difference two years makes.

Preparing for the 2010 season, GM Jack Zduriencik traded for a top-of-the-rotation pitcher in Cliff Lee and negotiated a backloaded extension with longtime ace Felix Hernandez.

He nabbed the versatile and speedy Chone Figgins off the free-agent market for four years and $36 million.

Oh yeah, and Milton Bradley? So much better than Carlos Silva, right?

The future appeared bright, but the present is embarrassing.

Bradley didn't work out, Figgins forgot how to hit, Hernandez is getting expensive (remember, the extension was back-loaded) and Lee was sent to Texas for nondescript prospects.

Coming off consecutive piss-poor seasons, Zduriencik had the confidence to complete one newsworthy transaction before camp.

He dealt Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero, addressing a need in the heart of the Mariners batting order.

Despite getting a commitment from ownership last August, he is squarely on the hot seat.

Having this latest move backfire would be the nail in Zduriencik's coffin.

Chris Antonetti (Cleveland Indians)

I'll give Chris Antonetti some points for his foresight.

He acquired veteran Derek Lowe immediately following the 2011 regular season. Lowe is somebody that can log innings while "Fausto Carmona" deals with his identity issues.

Now for the criticism...

Lowe—even at $5 million—was a poor investment. It would be hard to justify paying him the league minimum!

Although the 38-year-old is durable, Baseball-Reference.com valued him at 0.3 wins below replacement last season.

It also appears Antonetti will be striking out with the Grady Sizemore deal.

He retained the longtime Cleveland Indian with a one-year, incentive-laden agreement.

Not performance-based enough, though—it guarantees Sizemore $5 million. And guess who's already injured?

Beyond that, Antonetti is struggling to extend Asdrubal Cabrera and definitely kicking himself for having surrendered Drew Pomeranz and Alex White to the Colorado Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez last July.

Judgment is pending on all these transactions, but it's shaping up to be four swings-and-misses.

That's beyond what it is needed to be punched out in most baseball situations.

Alex Anthopoulos (Toronto Blue Jays)

Alex Anthopoulos is another young executive at the controls.

The knock against him? Too trigger-happy.

The Roy Halladay deal had to happen and dumping Vernon Wells has been a success.

However, I take exception to everything else.

In July 2010, he parted with shortstop Alex Gonzalez—one of only a few veterans on the roster at the time—for Yunel Escobar, a coach's nightmare because of his immaturity.

Anthopoulos didn't get enough for catcher Mike Napoli in January 2011 and has no use for center fielder Colby Rasmus (acquired last July).

Most recently, he failed to deliver the big-name free agents that the Toronto Blue Jays require.

With money to spend, he couldn't woo Yu Darvish or Prince Fielder north of the border. And now nobody can take the Jays seriously as potential contenders in the American League East.

This is a make-or-break campaign for Anthopoulos. Prepare for a whirlwind of panic-driven moves.

Kenny Williams (Chicago White Sox)

The 2005 World Series was a long time ago.

So what has Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams been up to lately?

He selected outfielder Alex Rios off waivers a couple summers ago.

Under contract through 2014 and due an eight-figure salary each season, Rios was expected—at least by Williams—to be a perennial All-Star.

Unfortunately, his plate discipline stinks.

Particularly in 2011, Rios was antsy at the plate. He posted an embarrassing .613 OPS despite 137 starts.

Williams had similar optimism about Jake Peavy upon acquiring him from the San Diego Padres.

He unloaded four pitching prospects and took on Peavy's expensive contract.

And there's more—Williams insisted on the trade while Peavy was on the disabled list!

Although the former ace is now past that ankle injury of 2009, he has struggled with his health. Only 38 MLB starts for him after 30 months on the team.

In the American League, Peavy has watched his earned run average balloon and strikeout rate plummet. 

Adam Dunn is the latest "game-changer" Williams has taken a liking to. Ripping him for that move would be too easy.

Williams has oodles of GM experience, having served the White Sox in that capacity since October 2000.

Regardless, because he pursues all the wrong players, couldn't get along with his own club's manager and hasn't been winning games, his position hangs in the balance in 2012.