Who is the Best GM in Baseball?

[witesoxfan]

I count playoffs as results, not seasons above .500. Especially with how weak the central was for a long time. Is he horrible? No, but I really don't see how there's any way you can say he's the best.

 

I count trophies. The Twins have like 4 playoff appearances in the 00s and have 1 playoff series win. The White Sox have 2 playoff appearances, only 1 under KW, and have 3 series wins, all coming in the same postseason.

 

Yeah, I can be a homer too. The Sox have been a better organization because they keep the talent they need, they get the talent they need, and they have won one. Most of that is largely due to KW.

[StrangeSox]

I count trophies. The Twins have like 4 playoff appearances in the 00s and have 1 playoff series win. The White Sox have 2 playoff appearances, only 1 under KW, and have 3 series wins, all coming in the same postseason.

 

Yeah, I can be a homer too. The Sox have been a better organization because they keep the talent they need, they get the talent they need, and they have won one. Most of that is largely due to KW.

 

Ok, then give KW best GM in the AL Central. That I can see. But best GM in baseball? If you're just counting on the results of the crap shoot that is the playoffs, you have to give it to Epstein. I'm still not seeing what criteria makes KW the best GM.

[Leonard Zelig]

Ok, then give KW best GM in the AL Central. That I can see. But best GM in baseball? If you're just counting on the results of the crap shoot that is the playoffs, you have to give it to Epstein. I'm still not seeing what criteria makes KW the best GM.

 

People are giving their opinions on a White Sox message board, what do you expect?

[StrangeSox]

People are giving their opinions on a White Sox message board, what do you expect?

 

I'm just asking for someone to give a reasonable explanation/ justification for picking KW, that's all.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

Ok, then give KW best GM in the AL Central. That I can see. But best GM in baseball? If you're just counting on the results of the crap shoot that is the playoffs, you have to give it to Epstein. I'm still not seeing what criteria makes KW the best GM.

 

Why do you have to give it to Epstein? While I agree he has a done a good job, what has he done that makes him so beyond a doubt better than everyone else? He came to a team that already had Manny and Papi. Signing Dice-K doesnt count, that was only a matter of who had the most money. He aquired Beckett and Lowell but he gave up Anibal Sanchez (no-hitter) and Hanley Ramirez (top 5 player IMO at age 24). A GM is repsonsible for putting pieces together but he cant control how the players play. The team we had in '06 and '03 should not have choked like they did, and thus it is not a GM's fault.

 

And to whoever threw Cashman's name in the process I have to disagree with. He's done a decent job but its hard to say a guy who gave ludicrous contracts to Kei Igawa, Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright, Hideki Irabu etc... should be mentioned twoards the top. Plus, until recently, they havent had exactly the best farm system.

 

Personally, i voted for Beane, but if the Marlins GM was there i would have considered him too. Its not just about results. Not every team has the same resources and as such not all GM's have the same capabilities. Its all about doing what you can with what you're given. And it's remarkable how often the A's are competitive while seemingly always rebuilding and how many young players the Marlins sign, trade for and develop.

Edited July 23, 2008 by ChiSox_Sonix

[Reddy]

yep i went beane. can't argue with his numbers with such a LOW payroll.

[Big Hurtin]

Why do you have to give it to Epstein? While I agree he has a done a good job, what has he done that makes him so beyond a doubt better than everyone else? He came to a team that already had Manny and Papi. Signing Dice-K doesnt count, that was only a matter of who had the most money. He aquired Beckett and Lowell but he gave up Anibal Sanchez (no-hitter) and Hanley Ramirez (top 5 player IMO at age 24). A GM is repsonsible for putting pieces together but he cant control how the players play. The team we had in '06 and '03 should not have choked like they did, and thus it is not a GM's fault.

 

Not true. Epstein was the GM when Ortiz was signed by the Red Sox.

 

[mr_genius]

KW hands down.

 

[witesoxfan]

Ok, then give KW best GM in the AL Central. That I can see. But best GM in baseball? If you're just counting on the results of the crap shoot that is the playoffs, you have to give it to Epstein. I'm still not seeing what criteria makes KW the best GM.

 

I'm not arguing as to whether he's the best GM in baseball. That distinction belongs to Billy Beane and I don't see anyone even close. The man is rebuilding and selling pieces off this season and his team is still 3 games over .500. That team is loaded and ready to go on a monster run starting next season, if he ever wants to stop selling pieces off.

[NorthSideSox72]

I didn't pick KW, I think there are a few ahead of him.

 

But I do think KW has a strong argument. The GM doesn't coach the team, or play on the field. The GM loads the roster. So, has KW been good at putting a very competitive team on the field? Absolutely he has. He's given his teams the right players to be playoff contenders almost every year. That, to me, is a successful GM.

 

What he's not good at, though, is the farm system. No doubt there.

 

I'll put it this way. If a team goes 8 years, wins 2 championships, but has lousy teams the other 6 years... and then there is a team like the Sox, with 1 trophy but 7 competitive seasons... then I personally think that the Sox GM (KW) is better. He gives the team a good shot at the trophy more often. It may be more disappointing to me as a fan, but I put that final result more on the players and coaches. The ball is in their court to "finish the job".

 

Just my philosophy on the matter of what measures a good GM.

 

[Rowand44]

IMO it's Theo.

 

FWIW KW>Beane imo.