Friday, October 28, 2005
It’s five o’clock on a Friday…the regular crowd shuffles out of the office…and Theo Epstein still isn’t signed.
A good General Manager is not hard to find, but the great ones are. Most can woo free agents with other people’s money, and the good ones find diamonds (Ortiz) and other useful assets (Arroyo, Kapler, Bellhorn) in the rough. The separation from good to great GMs is their ability to not only “think outside the box”, but to be bold enough to act on it. In three years, Theo has shown the willingness to do just that.
First, he broke a gentlemen’s agreement and claimed Kevin Millar off waivers. The old guard was pissed, but the Sox got an above average first baseman at no personnel cost.
Second, he placed one of the elite hitters in the game, Manny Ramirez, on unconditional waivers. Theo double-dogged-dared any team to claim Manny. He was willing to throw away a future HOF bat to get out from under his contract. The move took balls.
Thirdly, Theo came a p-hair away from trading the aforementioned FHOFer, a Boston icon, Nomah for the debatable best all-around player in the game, A-Hole and O-Mags. The deal would have circulated close to a half a billion dollars, two FHOFers and two All-Stars. It was a huge freaking deal that stayed on table. Regardless, it was a brave and creative deal.
Finally, the Sox did move the stah, Nomah, and Matt Murton (who should start for the Cubs next spring) for Doug Men-whatever, Lando Cabrera, and the future right to purchase the Millennium Falcon. Jezz, trading a Boston living legend for defense! Theo didn’t care much about joe fan public or his need for Secret Service like protection. He made the deal that lead to a World Championship.
Bold, imaginative and resourceful moves are what distinguish the good from great General Managers. Theo Epstein is one of only four great current GMs – the others are Billy Beane (VP and part owner), John Schuerholz (Executive VP) and Mark Shapiro (Executive VP) - traded Robbie Alomar, Bartolo Colon and got out of paying Baez. Theo should be paid and have a similar spot in the organization’s hierarchy as the other three. Numerous – four or so - other employees should not be at the same level or higher on Yawkey Way than Theo Epstein.
A good General Manager is not hard to find, but the great ones are. Most can woo free agents with other people’s money, and the good ones find diamonds (Ortiz) and other useful assets (Arroyo, Kapler, Bellhorn) in the rough. The separation from good to great GMs is their ability to not only “think outside the box”, but to be bold enough to act on it. In three years, Theo has shown the willingness to do just that.
First, he broke a gentlemen’s agreement and claimed Kevin Millar off waivers. The old guard was pissed, but the Sox got an above average first baseman at no personnel cost.
Second, he placed one of the elite hitters in the game, Manny Ramirez, on unconditional waivers. Theo double-dogged-dared any team to claim Manny. He was willing to throw away a future HOF bat to get out from under his contract. The move took balls.
Thirdly, Theo came a p-hair away from trading the aforementioned FHOFer, a Boston icon, Nomah for the debatable best all-around player in the game, A-Hole and O-Mags. The deal would have circulated close to a half a billion dollars, two FHOFers and two All-Stars. It was a huge freaking deal that stayed on table. Regardless, it was a brave and creative deal.
Finally, the Sox did move the stah, Nomah, and Matt Murton (who should start for the Cubs next spring) for Doug Men-whatever, Lando Cabrera, and the future right to purchase the Millennium Falcon. Jezz, trading a Boston living legend for defense! Theo didn’t care much about joe fan public or his need for Secret Service like protection. He made the deal that lead to a World Championship.
Bold, imaginative and resourceful moves are what distinguish the good from great General Managers. Theo Epstein is one of only four great current GMs – the others are Billy Beane (VP and part owner), John Schuerholz (Executive VP) and Mark Shapiro (Executive VP) - traded Robbie Alomar, Bartolo Colon and got out of paying Baez. Theo should be paid and have a similar spot in the organization’s hierarchy as the other three. Numerous – four or so - other employees should not be at the same level or higher on Yawkey Way than Theo Epstein.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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