Openings galore
Columnist Bob Nightengale says baseball will have plenty of front office shuffling,
In the crazy world of baseball, who would ever have imagined the Miami Marlins no longer would be the aberration but the epitome of front office disruption? In the words of one Marlins employee, “In an insane world, the sane appear insane.”
The Marlins, who made the wacky decision in April to have their general manager become their manager, are expected to tell Dan Jennings on Thursday he will be let go effective immediately or at the end of the season.
The question is whether he’ll be back in the GM’s chair, with less power and a blemish on his résumé, reassigned and demoted or out of the organization completely.
The Marlins, according to a high-ranking executive, are strongly considering promoting pro scouting director Jeff McAvoy to become their next GM. The executive spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Welcome to Miami, where four months ago Jennings had an impeccable reputation as a baseball executive, then made the worst decision of his career.
He accepted Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria’s request to have him replace Mike Redmond as manager, with no experience except for a high school stint 30 years earlier. Surprise, surprise, it turned out to be a disaster.
Team presidents David Samson and Mike Hill might want Jennings back as GM, but Loria doesn’t seem to share the opinion.
While Jennings was away from the front office, assistant GM Mike Berger and McAvoy assumed much more power, and some of Jennings’ own people, such as veteran scout Mickey White and Craig Weissmann, were fired or reassigned.
Jennings will learn of his fate Thursday when he meets with ownership. He has three years on his contract. Yet considering the carnival atmosphere that has pervaded the Marlins offices, who could blame him if he actually hopes he’s fired, with a chance to pursue the Seattle Mariners opening or join Buck Showalter with the Baltimore Orioles?
A year ago, it was the defections of Andrew Friedman and Joe Maddon from the Tampa Bay Rays that stirred up the winter in the front office and managerial chairs. This year, it’s already happening — with four GM positions open and enough potential tumult in October that we might forget about the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and perhaps even the Orioles potentially could be searching for chief baseball executives. And there could be eight managerial openings: Miami and the San Diego Padres (definitely), Detroit Tigers (probable), Boston Red Sox (possible), Seattle (maybe), Washington Nationals (unlikely, unless ownership intervenes), Los Angeles Dodgers (depending on October), Cincinnati (might depend on Barry Larkin’s interest) and Philadelphia (grossly unfair it if happens).
A postcard look at the game of musical chairs in baseball’s executive branch: Seattle Mariners GM
Why it’s open now: The Mariners fired Jack Zduriencik after seven years and perhaps their most disappointing season in decades. This is a team that was built to win the World Series and instead was a colossal flop, despite the acquisition of MVP candidate Nelson Cruz.
In the running: The Mariners want to win now and prefer someone with vast experience. We’re talking about you, Kevin Towers, Ken Williams, Jim Hendry, Jerry Dipoto, Frank Wren, Jennings, Larry Beinfest and Dan O’Dowd. If they decide to hire an assistant GM with vast experience, it will either be Billy Eppler of the New York Yankees or Thad Levine of the Texas Rangers. If you want a dark horse, look at the tandem of Pat Gillick/Charley Kerfeld, who worked together in Philadelphia.
What could — or should — happen: Towers, a native of Oregon, has won in his first year on the job with San Diego and the Arizona Diamondbacks and might be atop their list. He also has an advantage, having worked with integral parts of the front office staff, including assistant GM Jeff Kingston, scouting director Tommy Allison and special assistant Ted Simmons. Boston Red Sox GM
Why it’s open now: Ben Cherington walked away when the Red Sox hired Dave Dombrowski to be president of baseball operations. Dombrowski says he would have kept him aboard, but now he can hire his own GM.
In the running: Dombrowski wants loyalty and someone he feels comfortable with, particularly after a feeling of betrayal by some following his firing in Detroit. Wren, who worked with Dombrowski in Montreal and Florida, is the leading candidate. Dombrowski could also turn to Mike Hazen, the Red Sox’s assistant GM, or Arizona vice president Dejon Watson.
What could — or should — happen: The Red Sox, who skirted the MLB minority mandate policy by not interviewing anyone besides Dombrowski for the president’s job, have to abide by the policy this time. They need to talk to Watson, Tyrone Brooks of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Billy Owens of the Oakland Athletics. Still, if Dombrowski is looking for comfort and experience, Wren figures to top the list. Los Angeles Angels GM
Why it’s open now: Dipoto, who no longer wanted to be part of the power struggle with manager Mike Scioscia, walked away. The Angels turned to Bill Stoneman as interim GM, but they’ve begun the interview process.
In the running: The Angels could turn to anyone from Hendry to Towers to Ned Colletti to Eppler to Levine to Watson. Yet there are unique dynamics involved. You need someone to handle the strong personalities and influences of owner Arte Moreno and Scioscia.
What could — or should — happen: The most popular candidate for the opening is Hendry, the only GM in history to lead the Chicago Cubs to three postseasons. Hendry has the acumen and, most important, the person-
ality to blend in with Moreno and Scioscia. Yet one high-ranking Angels executive, who asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, thinks Eppler, Brian Cashman’s trusted assistant, is the front-runner. Milwaukee Brewers GM
Why it’s open: The Brewers and GM Doug Melvin announced last month a mutual decision that Melvin would step down. In truth, owner Mark Attanasio decided he wanted a change.
In the running: The Brewers want a young analytical mind to be GM and also plan to hire a president of baseball operations to guide him. The leading candidates are Atlanta Braves assistant GM John Coppolella, Brooks, A’s assistant Dan Kantrovitz and Angels assistant Matt Klentak.
What could — or should — happen: The Brewers like assistant Ray Montgomery, along with scouting director Zack Minasian, who received a contract extension, but they want a GM from outside the organization. Coppolella has been called “Rain Man” in Atlanta with his brilliance and ability to recall information on any player. Brooks and Kantrovitz will also be considered. Philadelphia Phillies GM
Why it could be open: They’ve had one of the most dramatic downfalls in baseball since 2011. Sure, it’s hardly all GM Ruben Amaro’s fault, but he’s Public Enemy No. 1 among fans.
In the running: This will be strictly new President Andy MacPhail’s call. He has worked with Minnesota Twins assistant Wayne Krivsky at two stops and with Klentak in Baltimore.
What could — or should — happen now: MacPhail will take his time deciding, but Amaro seems destined to take a new role in the organization. Certainly, Krivsky and Watson deserve long
looks, and Dipoto’s and Wren’s names are circulating in the Phillies offices. Cincinnati Reds GM
Why it could be open: Walt Jocketty, who is close to owner Bob Castellini, is expected to stay aboard despite a two-year nose dive, but the question is whether he will continue as GM or in another high-ranking position.
In the running: If Jocketty is promoted, Towers would be the logical candidate. They are grooming assistant GM Dick Williams to eventually be the GM but don’t believe he’s quite ready.
What could — or should — happen: The Reds are expected to stay pat another year, both in the front office and managerial seat, but Hall of Famer Larkin is so revered, he could change their minds in a hurry. Baltimore Orioles GM
Why it could be open: Owner Peter Angelos wants answers as the team regresses while having a depleted farm system.
In the running: The Orioles are headed in the wrong direction after running away from the American League East a year ago. Does this mean GM Dan Duquette is gone, after nearly leaving last winter for the Toronto Blue Jays president’s job? Does this mean that Jennings, who nearly joined the Orioles two years ago before being denied permission by the Marlins, could be free to join Showalter? Or does nothing change?
What could — or should — happen: The Orioles are going to lose some key pieces if nothing changes, but Angelos is used to a dysfunctional front office. He might even enjoy it.