10 candidates for GM vacany named

[Diamondback Jay]

Tony La Russa has named his ten initial candidates for the GM vacancy.


The current ten are: Allard Baird, Larry Beinfest, Billy Eppler, Gary LaRocque, Ray Montgomery, Hal Morris, Tim Pupura, Thad Levine, Dave Stewart and DeJon Watson.

Some interesting names on this list.

 

[Shaggy]

Are there any good one on that list? Where have them GMed before?

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Are there any good one on that list? Where have them GMed before?

Beinfest was the GM for the Marlins from 2002-2013. Was badly hamstrung with the worst owner in baseball as his boss. His results of prospects and trades were a mixed bag of results. The Blue Jay salary dump has worked in their favor. Beckett for Hanley and Sanchez was good. Drafting Giancarlo Stanton was also. However his return for Miguel Cabrera was atrocious and he had a few other pretty hair raising trades along the way.

Baird was GM of Kansas City (2000-2006) and Purpura the previous GM of Houston (2005-2007). Baird made some trades which badly failed. Purpura was the GM when Houston went to the WS but the team was all Gerry Hunsicker built.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

The names I am personally fondest of on this list are LeRocque and Watson.

 

[Phrazbit]

Yeah, at first glance, and with my limitted knowledge on these guys, LaRocque seems the most appealing and I'd imagine the likeliest given the Cardinal connection.

I like the idea of hiring a dude who's got a solid track record of scouting and developing from within. Our policy the last few seasons of patching holes through either expensive veteran contracts or trades that create even larger holes is the worst method I can think of building a roster. It leaves very little margin for error, and even the best GMs screw up here and there, when you're draining your salary flexibility and shipping off your cheaper assets those screw ups get magnified.

 

[AZ Native]

I think we should hire Lefty, he has all the answers. Then we can take potshots at him. Just kidding Lefty, love your passion.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Yeah, at first glance, and with my limitted knowledge on these guys, LaRocque seems the most appealing and I'd imagine the likeliest given the Cardinal connection.

I like the idea of hiring a dude who's got a solid track record of scouting and developing from within. Our policy the last few seasons of patching holes through either expensive veteran contracts or trades that create even larger holes is the worst method I can think of building a roster. It leaves very little margin for error, and even the best GMs screw up here and there, when you're draining your salary flexibility and shipping off your cheaper assets those screw ups get magnified.

I am fond of the Cardinal way of operation. This organization let a player widely regarded as tje best player in baseball at the time walk and were no worse off.. The very next season, they let Loshe walk on the heels of a Cy Young quality season and went to the World Series. This past offseason, they let another major contributor walk and are again going to make the playoffs. I'd kill to see Arizona have that kind of system in place.

 

[Phrazbit]

I am fond of the Cardinal way of operation. This organization let a player widely regarded as tje best player in baseball at the time walk and were no worse off.. The very next season, they let Loshe walk on the heels of a Cy Young quality season and went to the World Series. This past offseason, they let another major contributor walk and are again going to make the playoffs. I'd kill to see Arizona have that kind of system in place.

Exactly. They have so much depth in their system that they have been able to shrug off serious injuries and free agent loses and still contended at the highest level. The Dbacks have had several injuries this season but the season was already off the rails before the majority of those happened. Really, the moment Corbin went down the season was in the tubes, it left us with a rotation of #4 starters... despite their relatively high salaries. The Cardinals meanwhile have dealt with injuries to front line starters like Wairwright and Carpenter, the free agent departure of Loshe... and they seem to shrug each blow off and contend anyway. Their system depth has also allowed them to make big trades to supplement an already strong contender, such as their trades for Holiday and Beltran. It recalls the days of the Diamondbacks trading from a position of strength to land Schilling... as opposed to in recent years where Towers was constantly trading from corners he painted himself into, as part of a desperate move to patch holes... which in turn only further weakened the depth.

So yeah... I'd really like to adopt the Cardinal way of building a roster. Hard to say how much of it LaRocque has masterminded but he should certainly have a strong understand of the philosophies.

 

[Lefty]

I think we should hire Lefty, he has all the answers. Then we can take potshots at him. Just kidding Lefty, love your passion.

If I was the GM the Diamondbacks would still have Upton, Parker, Skaggs and Bauer.

 

[DWKB]

Going to school in Kansas during the Baird KC years I have a huge fear of that name being mentioned. Horrible drafts and development systems, crappy FA vet signings, KT-esque.

 

[Phrazbit]

On the radio (910) they seem to think the job is Dave Stewart's to turn down.

 

[overseascardfan]

On the radio (910) they seem to think the job is Dave Stewart's to turn down.

Didn't we already try an agent turned GM and crash and burn (Moorad)? I would rather promote Ray Montgomery.

 

[Iceman]

That the same former A's pitcher Dave Stewart?

 

[FArting]

That the same former A's pitcher Dave Stewart?

Yes