Comments on: Best GMs In Baseball http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/ And Everything in Between Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:47:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: So Many Baseball Trades…So Little Time | Foul Pole to Foul Pole http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-1434 So Many Baseball Trades…So Little Time | Foul Pole to Foul Pole Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:52:47 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-1434 [...] argue against anything Jack Z has done thus far. For those of us that didn’t rate him in our Top Ten GMs list, I imagine he will be on everyone’s list after next season. With Jack Z’s familiarity [...] [...] argue against anything Jack Z has done thus far. For those of us that didn’t rate him in our Top Ten GMs list, I imagine he will be on everyone’s list after next season. With Jack Z’s familiarity [...]

]]> By: Rene http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-787 Rene Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:41:44 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-787 Yeah that's true, Cashman does spend money a bit better than the others, but that's also because only the boss in NY was willing to spend the money paid to all of those players. So what I"m trying to say is that every GM would have loved to sign CC and Tex. I don't think everyone wanted AJ, but many wouldn't have minded him. No other teams were willing to pay any of those players the money they received, and they didn't get outbid by Cashman, but by the bossman in George. I don't give Cashman credit for those signings at all. I think CC got the highest a pitcher has even gotten, and A-Rod got the most as well. Tex got 2nd I think? We all know those players aren't actually worth that much money, they're all awesome, but honestly, they yanks got them because they were willing to dish out the big bucks and no other team made a higher offer. If CC would have been offered 10 more million by the Giants, he goes there hands down. In a salary capped world, the GM that passes on A-Rod to sign a couple other players, or signs A-Rod and has to actually "work with money" is the one that proves themselves as GMs to me. GMs in baseball are sometimes more puppets than anything. I might be saying this because I would do anything to be a GM of a team like most of us would and we don't seem to understand how some of these people just mess up so bad and we tell ourselves, "I'd do so much better!!" Maybe one day we'll get ranked on a GM poll, hopefully on the better end! Yeah that’s true, Cashman does spend money a bit better than the others, but that’s also because only the boss in NY was willing to spend the money paid to all of those players. So what I”m trying to say is that every GM would have loved to sign CC and Tex. I don’t think everyone wanted AJ, but many wouldn’t have minded him. No other teams were willing to pay any of those players the money they received, and they didn’t get outbid by Cashman, but by the bossman in George. I don’t give Cashman credit for those signings at all. I think CC got the highest a pitcher has even gotten, and A-Rod got the most as well. Tex got 2nd I think? We all know those players aren’t actually worth that much money, they’re all awesome, but honestly, they yanks got them because they were willing to dish out the big bucks and no other team made a higher offer. If CC would have been offered 10 more million by the Giants, he goes there hands down. In a salary capped world, the GM that passes on A-Rod to sign a couple other players, or signs A-Rod and has to actually “work with money” is the one that proves themselves as GMs to me.

GMs in baseball are sometimes more puppets than anything. I might be saying this because I would do anything to be a GM of a team like most of us would and we don’t seem to understand how some of these people just mess up so bad and we tell ourselves, “I’d do so much better!!” Maybe one day we’ll get ranked on a GM poll, hopefully on the better end!

]]> By: Chris Cwik http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-786 Chris Cwik Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:10:08 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-786 Rene, I think I would agree with your arguments for the most part. Guys like Epstein and Cashman don't spend the money poorly. Obviously, going after CC and Tex were no brainers, but it's not like he went all out for Barry Zito or Aaron Rowand or Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews Jr. The point is, if you had the money to spend on the superstars, you would too. I would point out the guys that Cashman didn't spend the money on. I think he's come a long way since Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. If you look at the way the Yankees are constructed now, all the players that are in decline are either free agents or haven't been signed for a long time. He doesn't just keep veteran guys around for the heck of it like Varitek or Griffey Jr. He understands the value of his players, he's just playing with a little more money than most guys. Rene, I think I would agree with your arguments for the most part. Guys like Epstein and Cashman don’t spend the money poorly. Obviously, going after CC and Tex were no brainers, but it’s not like he went all out for Barry Zito or Aaron Rowand or Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews Jr. The point is, if you had the money to spend on the superstars, you would too. I would point out the guys that Cashman didn’t spend the money on. I think he’s come a long way since Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. If you look at the way the Yankees are constructed now, all the players that are in decline are either free agents or haven’t been signed for a long time. He doesn’t just keep veteran guys around for the heck of it like Varitek or Griffey Jr. He understands the value of his players, he’s just playing with a little more money than most guys.

]]> By: Rene http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-785 Rene Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:59:16 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-785 Nice topic BUT I have to put in my 5 cents when looking at this issue from a money point of view. Being a Marlins fan, and realizing we don't believe in paying the big stars the big money (Hanley, arguably the best SS in the game, is under contract thru either 2013 or 2014, at $76 million). That's actually not that much compared to what other teams would pay him, but anyway, my point is... It's hard to rate GMs in my opinion because some are given way more money to operate in the same playing field as others, and in the end we know that's not fair. You can rate GMs in a salary capped sport, but in baseball, it's tougher. I personally think Brian Cashman is horrible. Any GM with an owner behind him willing to spend over 200 million on CC, Burnett, and Tex is as lucky as hitting the lottery. Just like I could've been the head coach of the Lakers last season and probably won the title, it works the same way for these GMs. Where you can find the good GMs is within the small market teams that put together a good mount of competitive seasons in a few years. For example, the Marlins, Oakland (at times), the Rockies... If Larry Beinfest and/or Billy Beane would be given the reigns to the Yankees or the Red Sox, I'd see record breaking win seasons in the mix... However, I think you can make a list of bad GMs, such as Omar Minaya (yes injuries aren't his fault but that's what you get for paying old players big money)...I think Minaya is a horrible GM, and I'd also throw Brian Sabean in there, even though it looked like Zito earned about 4 million of his 136 million this season! Marlins champs in 2010!! And Beinfest/Hill as the good GMs that they are, will HOPEFULLY let Uggla walk!!! If we pay that guy money, our GM takes a step back in my book... Nice topic BUT I have to put in my 5 cents when looking at this issue from a money point of view. Being a Marlins fan, and realizing we don’t believe in paying the big stars the big money (Hanley, arguably the best SS in the game, is under contract thru either 2013 or 2014, at $76 million). That’s actually not that much compared to what other teams would pay him, but anyway, my point is…

It’s hard to rate GMs in my opinion because some are given way more money to operate in the same playing field as others, and in the end we know that’s not fair. You can rate GMs in a salary capped sport, but in baseball, it’s tougher. I personally think Brian Cashman is horrible. Any GM with an owner behind him willing to spend over 200 million on CC, Burnett, and Tex is as lucky as hitting the lottery. Just like I could’ve been the head coach of the Lakers last season and probably won the title, it works the same way for these GMs. Where you can find the good GMs is within the small market teams that put together a good mount of competitive seasons in a few years. For example, the Marlins, Oakland (at times), the Rockies…

If Larry Beinfest and/or Billy Beane would be given the reigns to the Yankees or the Red Sox, I’d see record breaking win seasons in the mix…

However, I think you can make a list of bad GMs, such as Omar Minaya (yes injuries aren’t his fault but that’s what you get for paying old players big money)…I think Minaya is a horrible GM, and I’d also throw Brian Sabean in there, even though it looked like Zito earned about 4 million of his 136 million this season!

Marlins champs in 2010!! And Beinfest/Hill as the good GMs that they are, will HOPEFULLY let Uggla walk!!! If we pay that guy money, our GM takes a step back in my book…

]]> By: Monty http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-772 Monty Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:57:27 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-772 I back Kenny cause he's good and bash Smith because he's not good. It's that simple I back Kenny cause he’s good and bash Smith because he’s not good. It’s that simple

]]> By: Marco http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-768 Marco Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:39:17 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-768 Monty, I find it interesting that the reason you back KW is the same reason why you get at Bill Smith. Maybe it's Ozzie that makes teams good? Even though they missed on the Young deal, and the Santana deal was awful, they always contend, draft way better than a lot of teams, and have paid nearly nothing for Mauer the last three years. Monty, I find it interesting that the reason you back KW is the same reason why you get at Bill Smith. Maybe it’s Ozzie that makes teams good?

Even though they missed on the Young deal, and the Santana deal was awful, they always contend, draft way better than a lot of teams, and have paid nearly nothing for Mauer the last three years.

]]> By: Monty http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-765 Monty Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:11:32 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-765 Because Gardy makes lemonade. Find me some moves that Smith has made that have made the Twins a stronger team, because in his short time as GM, he has whiffed a fair amount of times. No way is he a better than KW. Because Gardy makes lemonade. Find me some moves that Smith has made that have made the Twins a stronger team, because in his short time as GM, he has whiffed a fair amount of times. No way is he a better than KW.

]]> By: Chris Cwik http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-764 Chris Cwik Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:48:44 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-764 It's weird though because a lot of the Twins success seems to be put on Gardenhire, when actually Smith is the one bringing in the players for him. Bill Smith isn't my favorite either, but based on the payroll limitations, his team always contends. Why does Gardy get all the hype? It’s weird though because a lot of the Twins success seems to be put on Gardenhire, when actually Smith is the one bringing in the players for him. Bill Smith isn’t my favorite either, but based on the payroll limitations, his team always contends. Why does Gardy get all the hype?

]]> By: Monty http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/2009-11-12/best-gms-in-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-763 Monty Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:44:55 +0000 http://www.foulpole2foulpole.com/?p=1765#comment-763 What's your favorite move by Bill Smith so far? Is it... 1. Trading the best pitcher in the game, at the time, for a decent set of players. 2. Giving the Rays Bartlett and Garza for Delmon Young 3. Paying Michael Cuddyer 33 million in 2008 and recently picking up an 11 million dollar option for 2011 or 4. Giving $9 million to Craig Monroe and Livan Hernandez last year? What’s your favorite move by Bill Smith so far? Is it…
1. Trading the best pitcher in the game, at the time, for a decent set of players.
2. Giving the Rays Bartlett and Garza for Delmon Young
3. Paying Michael Cuddyer 33 million in 2008 and recently picking up an 11 million dollar option for 2011 or
4. Giving $9 million to Craig Monroe and Livan Hernandez last year?

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