MLB Trade Deadline: 4 General Managers Most Likely to Alienate Their Fanbases

The job of an MLB general manager can be a tricky one.

Not only does the GM have to win now, but also keep an eye on the future of the franchise.  When other factors are thrown into the mix, one of those priorities can outweigh the other, leading to a potentially sticky situation.

Finances, contract situations, the level of fan frustrations—all of these figure prominently into decisions that our team's GM will make.

Maybe the GM is given an ultimatum: win or else.  Maybe it's a GM trying to relive past glory with a team that just doesn't have it.  Or perhaps he's from a team that just doesn't have the finances to keep their best player.

No matter the situation, fans are going to be alienated by the decisions they make.  Not every GM has a blank checkbook at their disposal, or a talent-laden farm system, but it's up to them to put something together that works...either for this year, the future or, in the best case scenario, both.

Here's a list of the four MLB general managers who are most likely to alienate their fanbases in the upcoming days and weeks of the 2011 MLB season.

Kenny Williams

It's been six seasons since the Chicago White Sox head man won a championship for the title-starved fans of Chicago.

A first round exit and a couple of second place finishes later, and Kenny Williams finds himself in a potential win-or-else situation. 

Williams was handed an ace, who turned out to be not so much an ace anymore, in Jake Peavy.

He was given the authority to sign the high-priced slugger Adam Dunn, which has exploded in his face.

Now he finds his underachieving White Sox in third place in a weak AL Central.  Fans are ready to revolt in Chicago and, barring a late season turnaround, Kenny Williams may be looking for employment elsewhere next year.

Dave Dombrowski

Dave Dombrowski has led the Detroit Tigers back to relevancy in the American League.  In the previous decade and a half before Dombrowski, the Tigers were invisible to both fans and opponents.

However, since a World Series appearance in 2006, it's been annual disappointment in Detroit despite the loose purse strings of owner Mike Illitch.

This past offseason, Dombrowski was given the freedom to add Victor Martinez, Joaquin Benoit and Brad Penny to a team that already featured Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander and a solid secondary cast.

However, second half collapses have become common in Detroit which might lead to an itchy trigger finger for Dombrowski come trade time.

If Dombrowski trades some high level prospects such as Jacob Turner or Nick Castellanos and fails to deliver a division title, the fans in Detroit will be screaming even louder for a new GM.

Doug Melvin

You think Dombrowski and Williams are in trouble, check out Doug Melvin.

Melvin has assembled the ultimate underachiever in Milwaukee.  The Brewers are loaded with blue chippers like Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Zach Greinke and Rickie Weeks, but have nothing to show for it.

Any time a major deal is made, it's expected that the Brewers are involved as they've added names like CC Sabathia in the past and Zach Greinke and Shawn Marcum this year.

It comes with a price, however, as the Brewers farm system is depleted and ranked among the worst in baseball.

All the Brewers have to show for their barren farm system is a single playoff victory.  They need to make a long postseason run this year or a major overhaul could be coming, and perhaps years of losing thanks to the lack of talent in the minors.

Jim Hendry

If the previous three GMs are in hot water, then Cubs' Jim Hendry is bathing in lava.  The Cubs are once again in a fire sale as it appears anyone and everyone is available. 

There's no more Steve Bartman to blame in Wrigleyville, as the playoffs are a distant memory.

The Cubs are a mess and don't appear to be getting any better as they're trying to unload their terrible signings like Armanis Ramirez and Carlos Pena.  They've already dealt Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians and more are sure to follow.

Cubs fans may be the most patient fans in the world, but frustration levels in the north side must be at an all-time high as another losing season is about to come to a close.