Breaking Down the 2011 MLB GMs

2011 was an exciting year to be a GM. We saw a lot of big trades, and some huge free agent contracts.

This is a ranking of this year's GMs, slowly based on moves that they made this season or moves that impacted their team this season. It is based on 2011 GMs, so if a guy has resigned, he will still be on the list.

30. Ed Wade (Astros)

The team cannot play, the farm system is putrid; when will the Astros invest in a worthwhile scouting department?

29. Kenny Williams (White Sox)

Williams has not had a successful trade or signing since his team won the World Series in 2005. The farm system is sparse and the clubhouse a revolving door.

28. Tony Reagins (Angels)

Reagins continued to invest in bad trades and over-the-hill talent. There’s a reason he stepped down; better that than a firing.

27. Sandy Alderson (Mets)

The best move was nabbing Zach Wheeler for Carlos Beltran, but he couldn’t pull the trigger on a Reyes trade when he had the chance. A re-signing could be a huge risk in 2012.

26. Bill Smith (Twins)

Smith has yet to pull together a worthwhile rotation to get the Twins into the World Series. There are a lot of 2012 questions; can Smith solve them all?

25. Jim Hendry (Cubs)

Hendry finally got the ax after his club pulled up short again. The rotation is bad and the scouting department has yet to turn up anything big.

24. Chris Antonetti (Indians)

The Indians were competitive for the first half, but fell short in 2011. The Ubaldo Jimenez trade raises a lot of eyebrows. The next big move will be what happens with Grady Sizemore.

23. Ned Colletti (Dodgers)

Colletti did the best job he could in 2011, mired in his owner’s controversies. The big test will be retaining Kemp, Kershaw, and Ethier.

22. Andy MacPhail (Orioles)

The development and scouting departments continue to pull up short, but trades and signings paid dividends in 2011.

21. Neal Huntington (Pirates)

The Pirates had another losing season, but Huntington continues to stick to his plan. The first half of the season showed what could be; can they improve in 2012?

20. Ruben Amaro Jr.

The Hunter Pence trade looked like a step in the right direction, but once again the Phillies fell short. Amaro Jr. continues to spend money and ship off prospects without results.

19. Mike Rizzo (Nationals)

Besides a failed Werth signing, things could have been worse; he could have retained Adam Dunn.

Harper, Strasburg, Storen, J. Zimmerman and R. Zimmerman shape a deep core. Kudos for not trading Storen or Clippard.

18. Dayon Moore (Royals)

Stayed pat, exactly what he needed to do. The young prospects showed their stuff this season, and the Royals have big things coming.

17. Jack Zduriencik (Mariners)

Jack Z had a mellow season, but he did acquire some offense in exchange for Doug Fister. The future of the rotation looks really good, and Dustin Ackley has a bright future. The Mariners could finally be back on track.

16. Brian Sabean (Giants)

The Beltran trade is looking ugly, but the Giants were 2010 champs. If he can lock up the young pitchers and get good things out of offensive prospects, he could be adding more championships to his portfolio.

15. Kevin Towers (Diamondbacks)

Kirk Gibson had a huge hand in the D-Backs’ success, but someone had to hire him. Towers kept the bullpen in tip-top shape and proved he still has what it takes to be a big-league GM.

14. Michael Hill (Marlins)

Built a great 2011 club and finally built a worthwhile bullpen. If 2012 is injury free, the Fish could take back the NL East.

13. Jed Hoyer (Padres)

Shipped off A-Gon for three great prospects. If he can solve the Padres offensive woes, he could get them back to the playoffs soon.

12. Billy Beane (Athletics)

Beane continues to be one of the best GMs in baseball. The Athletics' pitching is World Series-level; they just need that offensive cog.

11. Walt Jocketty (Reds)

Jocketty did not do much this season, but he retained all his major role players from 2010. The Reds were road blocked by the Brewers this season, but their core and farm are deep.

10. Brian Cashman (Yankees)

Found great results out of washed-up talent. It could have been luck, but Cashman continues to be a master of spending.

9. Alex Anthopoulos (Blue Jays)

The sophomore GM continues to be a master of trades, prepping his club for a bright future. Could be on the cusp of taking over the AL East. How did he trade Vernon Wells...seriously...?

8. Frank Wren (Braves)

The team fell short, but the Braves’ well-stocked farm shines brightly on the future of the club. Continues to be a great evaluator of young arms; just needs to get some offense.

7. Theo Epstein (Red Sox)

Results have been a mixed bag. Trades and prospects have had huge impacts, but his track record from free agency has been ugly as of late.

6. Doug Melvin (Brewers)

Acquired two starters who have anchored the rotation all season. Has yet to lock up Fielder, and trades have drained the farm system. Melvin has an uphill battle.

5. John Mozeliak (Cardinals)

Made minor moves that paid huge dividends. The Cardinals surprised everyone. The next test: retaining Pujols.

4. Andrew Friedman (Rays)

Continuously does more with less. The farm is still deep, but with shallow pockets, how long can the party last?

3. Daniel O'Dowd (Rockies)

Didn’t get great results from the team he fielded, but has worked hard to lock up a young core. The Jimenez trade will pay off huge dividends in the next few years.

2. Jon Daniels (Rangers)

Daniels couldn’t retain Cliff Lee, and the Rangers still won the West. Made some wise bullpen acquisitions in July to keep the team chugging along. Maintains a deep farm.

1. Dave Dombrowski (Tigers)

Dombrowski is finally getting dividends from the Miguel Cabrera trade. The Doug Fister trade rocketed the Tigers into the postseason. Always spends money wisely.