Who is...?

Question

the best GM in baseball in all the land right now today? and why? give one trade example.

Answer 1

Walt Jocketty of course.
When he picked up Scott Rolen, or Larry Walker, Mark McGwire, the list goes on and on

Answer 2

I would have to say (though i'm very biased being an A's fan) Billy Beane. Beane has consistently led the A's to playoff contention since 2000, even with the losses of very high profile players due to salary constraints. There are few, if any, GMs that can claim to have a competitive team with one of the lower payrolls in all of baseball. The moves he makes (small ones mostly, such as the recent signing of Shannon Stewart) tend to make bigger difference than most people think.

Additionally, he makes very few mistake moves (though the trade of Tim Hudson to the Braves could be one). The A's system has been very good in past years at bringing along young players, especially pitchers, to where they are capable of competing in the majors. However, the farm system for the A's has begun to dry up, as there are very few top prospects left.

In any case, you can depend on the A's to be right there at the finish this year, even with the loss of their best pitcher (Zito) and best hitter (Thomas) from last season.

Answer 3

I would argue for Dave Dombrowski of The Detroit Tigers.
He took The Tigers from 119 losses 3 years ago to becoming American League Champions, and a real contender for years to come.

He had a lot of work to undo all the damage Randy Smith had done. The very first thing he did that put the Tigers back
on the map was to fire Randy Smith & Phil Garnderm and take over the duties of GM.

One of the first trades he made was Jeff Weaver for Jeremy Bonderman (and 2 others who are no longer with The Tigers).
That, in itself, was a coup. Although, at the time I was mad because Jeff Weaver (at that time) was the best pitcher The Tigers had. Also he got Carlos Guillen from seattle for 2 prospects, another steal. Then he signed Guillen to a mutli-year deal. He also just signed Bonderman to a multi-year deal, and avoided arbritation with several others.

Then, of course, there is that Gary Sheffield deal. Although it has yet to play out for both teams...The Yankees & Tigers are both winners there.

Of Course I would like to argue for Dayton Moore as well.
Even though he just took over as KC's GM, he will become a much talked about GM who is heading in the right direction.

Answer 4

Terry Ryan, MN Twins. He'll be entering his 14th year as GM. He is usually handcuffed with payroll by the cheap miser Carl Pohlad, but still fields great teams. He got Santana from the rule 5 draft. (not a place Cy Young winners are usually found!) He has made some mistakes (letting David Ortiz go), but for the most part makes great trades (Pierzynski for Nathan, Liriano, and Boof Bonser) and finds good role players on the trash heap (Denys Reyes, Mike Redmond, Tyner)
He drafts pretty darn well: Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Hunter, Garza, Perkins, Crain, Neshek, Baker, Kubel, Radke, Koskie, Jacque Jones, Mientkiewicz, Guardado, Lawton, Rincon (undrafted free agent). With more names soon to come: Denard Span, Kevin Slowey, Matt Moses, Chris Parmalee, Ozwaldo Sosa, Alexander Smit, Adam Harbin, David Winfree, Brock Peterson, Yohan Pino...
He then usually adds mid level/ cheaper vets to complement like Luis Castillo, Cirillo, Nevin or even guys like Kenny Rogers years ago...

Other noteable deals:
Eric Milton for Punto and Silva
Knoblauch for Guzman, Milton (who were allstars for the Twins at one point)
Brian Buchanan for Jason Bartlett
Bobby Kielty for Shannon Stewart (4th in MVP voting that year)
Roberto Kelly for Joe Mays
Dave Hollins for David Ortiz
Rick Aguilera (old) for Kyle Lohse
Matt Lawton for Rick Reed (won 15 games the next year)
JC Romero for Alexi Casilla (made post season roster)
Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler for Luis Castillo

He takes chances on some odd guys, but for every Bret Boone, Ruben Sierra, or Tony Batista there seems to be good ones that work out like Redmond, Reyes, and Matt Guerrier.

I am a huge fan if you can't tell! Good Question!

Answer 5

Brian Cashman. He was with the Yankees since 1998. They won three World Series Championships while he was there. Enough said.

Answer 6

JP Ricciardi from the jays. He ressurected the jays last season and the jays are going to do well this season. He picked so many key players last season that weren't looking too good but then had a great season with the Jays.

Answer 7

Brian cashman. He put up with George and still has still improved his team while dumped olderplayers Johnson and Sheffield.

Answer 8

Brian Cashman
Arod....Damon....Randy (at the time).....
Trading Shef.....Trading Randy.....ANDY PETTITE...
is there even any competition?