Theo Epstein vs. Brian Cashman: Which GM Is Better?

Not much is going on between the Yankees or the Red Sox right now. No big transactions, no coaching additions, no shots in the media, and the same old rumors.

With a big winter for one, and a more quiet winter for the other, I've been wondering. Is Theo Epstein better than Brian Cashman? Is Brian Cashman better than Theo Epstein?

Let's take a look.

Epstein

Theo Epstein, New York native, has been general manager of the Red Sox since 2002, when he became the youngest general manager in league history.

His resume includes:

• Five playoff appearances (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008)
  
• One AL East Championship (2007)
• Two AL Pennants (2004, 2007)
• Two World Series Championships (2004, 2007)

Theo is widely loved among Red Sox Nation, and he has built arguably one of the better Red Sox teams in decades. In fact, before the 2005 season Theo "retired." It didn't last long, he came back before the season started. In his tenure as Red Sox GM, here are some of the major moves he has made:

• Jumped in the 2002 offseason signing: Ortiz, Mueller, Millar, and Timlin; instrumental parts of the 2004 title run
• Traded Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge de la Rosa to Arizona for Curt Schilling in the 2003-04 offseason, landing an essential component to the 2004 team
  
• Traded Nomar Garciaparra and Matt Murton to Chicago to receive Doug Mientkiewicz from Minnesota and Orlando Cabrera from Montreal
• Traded Henri Stanley to the Dodgers for Dave Roberts; "the steal," 'nuff said.
• Traded Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado, and Harvey Garcia to Florida for Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and Guillermo Mota; we all know how that worked out.
• Drafted Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Masterson, and a plethora of minor-league talent from compensation picks from letting the '04/'05 teams go to free agency

Cashman

Kentucky-born Cashman has run the front office of the Bronx Bombers since 1998, a considerable amount of time longer than Epstein has run the Red Sox.

Cashman's resume:

• Ten playoff appearances (1998-2007)
• Nine AL East Championships (1998-2006)
• Five American League Pennants (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
  
• Three World Series Championships (1998, 1999, 2000)

I don't know if Cashman is idolized among Yankee fans as Epstein is among Red Sox fans—and at one point Cashman almost walked away as well, except he never stepped down from his post like Epstein did. Here are some of Cashman's big moves with the Yankees:

• Signed Scott Brosius and David Cone to contracts in 1998
• Signed Orlando Hernandez and Alfonso Soriano as amateurs
• Signed Bernie Williams
• Traded Joaquin Arias and Alfonso Soriano for Alex Rodriguez; damn.
  
• Traded Homer Bush, Graeme Lloyd, and David Wells for Roger Clemens
• Signed Chien-Ming Wang as an amateur free agent
• Signed Mike Mussina
• Signed Robinson Cano as amateur free agent
• Signed Hideki Matsui
• Traded for Bobby Abreu
• Signed Andy Pettite
• Signed Mark Teixeira
• Signed CC Sabathia
• Has drafted many prospects, including Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Austin Jackson, and stud reliever Phil Coke.

What hasn't Cashman done while with the Yankees? He's no stranger to winning championships, signing big-profile free agents, or to making blockbuster trades.

Is either one better?

No. If Theo Epstein and Brian Cashman were horses in a race, there wouldn't be an easily determined winner with a photo finish.

These guys are essentially the same general manager. They have worked wonders for their team. They've done it through a mix of scouting, free agency, and trades. They've traded the right players away at the right time, or let the right guys file for free agency at the right time.

Basically, these two guys are some of the best general managers in the MLB, aside from small-market guys who turn nothing into something, like Billy Beane.

And you expected Red Sox propaganda, didn't you?