By now, I'm sure you've looked over our list of players that will be free agents after the 2011 season numerous times, but what about general managers? With some help from Cot's Baseball Contracts, here's the list of GMs without contracts for 2012…
- Andy MacPhail, Orioles – Technically, MacPhail isn't the GM, he's the president of baseball operations. He's still the guy calling the shots though. Last October we heard that he doesn't have any plans to approach owner Peter Angelos about a new deal before his current one expires.
- Neal Huntington, Pirates – Team president Frank Coonelly said he expects Huntington to be in Pittsburgh "for a long time" earlier this year.
- Walt Jocketty, Reds – Cincinnati is clearly a team on the rise, so it seems likely that ownership would want to bring Jocketty back after the season.
- Dave Dombrowski, Tigers – A few months ago we heard that the fates of Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland could be a package deal based on the team's performance in 2011.
- Brian Cashman, Yankees – The third longest-tenured GM in the game would seem to be on rocky ground after being over-ruled by ownership on the Rafael Soriano signing, but we heard afterwards that he still has the "full backing" of the Steinbrenners.
Dallas Melendez
When someone gets “full support” i notice them getting canned very soon after. Of course, this may only apply to football, with wade phillips and josh mcdaniels (and almost Tony Sparano)
Guest 6953
Then again if the owners were strangely quiet (almost impossible for the Yankee ownership) everyone would speculate that Cashman was gone. It is just too early to tell right now. Lets discuss in July especially if the Yankees are 10 games back.
GiantPaul1954
Sabean’s option has already been picked up for 2012
basemonkey
Regarding Andy MacPhail, the owner came out this offseason and publicly said that he expects Andy “is not going anywhere,” pretty much assuring that he gets resigned.
OrangeCards
Agreed. Unless this season blows up, or Andy is offered the commissioner’s job, he’ll be back in Baltimore.
theHoundDawg
The new Steinbrenner is an impulsive hot head like his father was in his non-dead younger years. He will not give Cashman the long leash and support the old dead man did. If the scumstripes don’t deliver this season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see hanky go after a guy like Jocketty.
hardcoreforhardcore
Look how bitter this guy is.
TapDancingTeddy
“non-dead?”
theHoundDawg
You like “pre-dead” better? The dead Steinbrenner’s lifeless body was propped up for several years before they gave in and buried him. Remember the All-Star game? Remember Weekend at Bernie’s?
TartanElk
I think “post-life phase” would’ve been more effective.
TapDancingTeddy
Nope. It doesn’t resonate with me.
On the other hand, I’m beginning to like the “Look how bitter this guy is.” comment more and more.
theHoundDawg
Not bitter, just hate that south bronx cadre of under-achieving millionaires working for billionaires. At least some of the players earn part of their $$ rather than inheriting it as did the dead Steinbrenner and then his offspring.
GO DODGERS!!!!!
Add: And I guess none of the current players are convicted felons as was the dead Steinbrenner.
joe
assuming your theory is true wouldn’t that put the sons in charge meaning the style won’t change from the “non-dead” era to the next generation?
theHoundDawg
The dead Steinbrenner style did change – it was not until he let go of his micromanaging and let the pros take over that they ever won anything. hanky is going the same route and will have to learn the hard way.
YanksFanSince78
So you’re saying that George was a hot head before he dies but now that he is dead he’s a lot more mellow? Guess I would have to agree. Wtf?
Also, Hank doesn’t call the shots. Hal, and to a lesser extent, Levine have more power.
Also, most of the changes regarding managers and GM’s that George was notorious for firing, came during an era where the team didn’t even make the playoffs (1981 thru 1993).
Cashman has fielded a team that has made the playoffs every year except 2008 and has won 4 WS regardless of who the architect was for the first 3. GMs good enough to field 95 +win teams in the AL East are doing pretty damn goodjobs. He can’t pitch and hit too.
pageian
Cashman is the perfect GM for NY. Smart, diplomatic, good baseball IQ. I can’t really think of another GM in the game that would thrive like he has with the Yankees. Maybe Beane, Theo, Friedman. Maybe not. Don’t get me wrong, Cashman isn’t perfect, but he’s very weIl suited or the situation he’s in. If the Steinbrothers let him go over some silly power trip they’ll be harming their own team.
baseball33
Oh, that’s what Cashman is doing as Yankee GM. He’s thriving. Oh
Rabbitov
A lot of GMs would be well suited for a job with a bottomless wallet.
notsureifsrs
i know, right?
-o. minaya
OrangeCards
I know your comment was mainly intended for comical purposes, but an extra 70 million a year might of helped to cover up some of Omar’s mistakes.
YanksFanSince78
Or it would’ve lead to bigger and even better mistakes.
notsureifsrs
easy game
-j.p. ricciardi
elclashcombo
no complaints here
– theo epstein
YanksFanSince78
Even Kevin Towers said that during the brief year he spent as special assistant that he saw the realities of being the Yankee GM and it was far, far more complicated than the regular x’s and o’s that come with the job. Prime example…..Arod and Soriano’s deal.
coolstorybro222
You’re not a GM when you are with the yankees, you are basically a glorified wallet holder bringing out the money when the big stars are free agents.
cocktailsfor2
Jobs less volatile / stressful than being NYY GM:
Bomb Squad
Qaddafi’s Bodyguard
Fireworks Manufacturer
Fringe Member of Soprano Family
Red Shirted Crewman on USS Enterprise
Guest 6954
I love the last reference to Star Trek. lmao
TapDancingTeddy
Yeah, LMAO about that extra crewman who beamed down on the original Star Trek! Dead for sure by the first commercial!
That being said, Cashman has had a long run. This year will come down to how the pitching staff holds up, and if it doesn’t, what he can do about it.
FowlofCanada
You gotta be a woman to be Qaddafi’s bodyguard.
Smrtbusnisman04
Neil Huntington will be in Pittsburgh for many years to come.
LET US compare Neil Huntington to the GM he replaced, Dave Littlefield;
Dave Littlefield’s last 6 first round draft picks:
2002- Bryan Bullington (one word: BUST!!)
2003- Paul Maholm (average finesse SP)
2004- Neil Walker (good today, but was considered a bust 2 yrs ago, credit neil to have patience with him)
2005- Andrew Mcutchen (Great 5 tool talent)
2006- Brad Lincoln, SP (supposed to be a frontline SP, Brad was drafted ahead of names that include like Kershaw, Lincecum, Morrow, and SCHERZER)
2007- Daniel Moskos, RP (Seriously? you could have had Matt Wieters, and you get an average SP)
Neil Huntington:
2008- Pedro Alvarez (Good power and could become a 1B in near future)
2009- Tony Sanchez (Controversial, but he has shown great defense and could get called up this year)
2010- Jameson Taillon (solid strong arm with promising offspeed pitches)
2011- Gerrit Cole/Matt Purke (prospectively) (Great future frontline SP)
Must I keep going??
Smrtbusnisman04
Oh come on! not one Like?? I established a valid argument. Is logic useless in today’s MTV world??
Karsch
Lame Duck?
Robert D
The Oriole hate is getting old fast…