MLB: Ranking baseball’s best executives
Baseball decisions aren’t as easy to make as you think. Every team has a top executive who builds a roster, and hopes his moves pay off. Here are the best executives in the MLB.
Behind every team, every player, every trade, every free-agent signing, and every manager hiring is one man. He runs the front-office, puts together a team, and tries to acquire that one middle-reliever that no one has ever heard of. He is the mastermind of the front-office.
I say mastermind because the dynamic and the hierarchy in the modern-day front office has changed in recent years. There used to be a general manager who created the roster, and the owners and presidents who ran the business side of things.
Now, there are both General Managers(GM) and Presidents of Baseball Operations. The only difference is that most Presidents of Baseball Operations have a GM or assistant GM working under them. In this article, we will reference to the top decision makers in a front office as “executive”, regardless if they serve as general manager or President of Baseball Operations.
Most fans believe that structuring a roster and putting men on the field would be easy. However, it’s probably the toughest job in sports. Drafting talent, developing players, finding a coaching staff, making acquisitions, and doing it all within a fixed payroll are just some of the few challenges of running a team.
Many teams have a hard time finding the right baseball executive while others get lucky. There are many things to consider while deciding how good a top executive is. We must look at current success, World Series wins and playoff appearances, and what kind of payroll and budget they are working with. In this list, we will take all that into consideration and rank the best executives in the MLB.
Next: Dan Duquette
#10 Dan Duquette – Baltimore Orioles General Manager
Dan Duquette made a name for himself with the Boston Red Sox when he served as their GM from 1994-2002. In his time there, he led the Red Sox to a 656-575 record and led them to three postseason appearances. He also drafted Nomar Garciaparra and signed both Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon.
He’s lead the Orioles to four straight winning seasons, and it looks promising that it’ll be five by the time October comes around as the Orioles sit in first in the AL East. They’ve made it as far the ALCS under Duquette in 2014.
Duquette has not been a big spender in Baltimore, but instead seems to find players for cheap that succeed there. He helped resurrect the career of Nelson Cruz in 2014 when he hit 40 home runs for the Orioles. This year, he took in Mark Trumbo, who leads the MLB in home runs with 30.
He’s also had draft success, most notably Kevin Gausman. He’s started 59 games in the last four seasons, and has been one of the young arms the Orioles have depended on.
Duquette has made himself a hot commodity with Baltimore. Last year, the Blue Jays tried to poach him for their President of Baseball Operations position, but the Orioles never allowed the trade to advance. They know Duquette is a top executive, and want to retain him in orange and white.
Next: Dave Dombrowski
#9 Dave Dombrowski – Boston Red Sox President of Baseball Operations
The Red Sox made a huge splash when they hired Dave Dombrowski after his sudden departure in Detroit last season. With Boston growing tired of Ben Cherington and wanting a veteran presence, it was the perfect fit
Dombrowski has a ton of experience in the front office, starting at age 31 when he was the Montreal Expos GM. He then moved on to be the GM with the Marlins when they won their first World Series, and lead the Tigers to two World Series appearances and five first-place finishes.
Now in Boston, he’s already improved a team that has placed fifth in the AL East three of the last four years. Dombrowski acquired an established closer, an ace, bullpen arms, and depth for Boston in his first off-season with the team. To boot, he used their first-round draft pick on Jason Groome, a young high-school pitcher who’s been compared to Clayton Kershaw.
Dombrowski is known for making big deals, earning himself the nickname, Dealin’ Dave. In Detroit he acquired guys like Miguel Cabrera, David Price, Yoenis Cespedes, Max Scherzer, Prince Fielder, Ian Kinsler, Magglio Ordonez, and Ivan Rodriguez.
It looks like the trend will continue in Boston. He has the assets in his farm system, and a pot of gold in John Henry. It’ll be no surprise if he takes Boston to the playoffs for years to come. The only big question for Dombrowski is if he can win the big one?
Next: Jeff Luhnow
#8 Jeff Luhnow – Houston Astros General Manager
It’s pretty apparent that the Houston Astros are the young, rising team in the MLB. A lot of their recent success is largely in part due to Jeff Luhnow.
Luhnow was brought into the MLB by the Cardinals in 2003. Once a corporate man, Luhnow was brought into the organization to help with “moneyball”, but found a knack in scouting and player development. Now, one of his strongest suites is building a farm system.
He made huge strides when he was first hired by the Astros in 2011. His original plan was to rebuild the franchise and be winning by 2017. He quickly turned the Astros abysmal 26th ranked farm system into the 18th best and then 9th best farm system in MLB.
In his first two seasons, the Astros didn’t have a winning percentage over .340. Things picked up in 2014, but took off in 2015. Last year, they finished 10 games over .500, and made it to the American League Division Series. The team currently sits in second place in the AL West with a 53-44 record.
Luhnow has been responsible for top talent like Carlos Correa, who won the Rookie of the Year in 2015. He’s also drafted major league pitcher Lance McCullers, first baseman A.J. Reed, and the recently promoted Alex Bregman.
In addition to his roster upgrades and minor league overhaul, Luhnow brought in A.J. Hinch to steer his ball club. The decision to bring him in has paid off as he’s lead the Astros to a .534 winning percentage over the last year and a half. With a limited payroll to work with, Luhnow has impressed as the Astro’s GM.
#7 Billy Beane – Oakland Athletics President of Baseball Operations
It’s not too often that Hollywood decides to make a blockbuster film on a baseball general manager, so you know Billy Beane is doing something right.
Beane changed the way rosters were built when he began using the “moneyball” theory and looked differently at players. Beane has never had much money to work with in Oakland…in fact he’s never had a payroll of more than $86 million. So what he’s done with the Athletics since 1998 has been improbable and incomparable to other low budget teams.
Beane has led the A’s to 12 winning seasons, six Division Titles, and eight playoff appearances. The biggest knock, and reason he sits so low on this list, is because he’s never reached the World Series. But the success that he’s had in the regular season is unmatched.
Beane is known for pulling off mega-trades and flips, regardless of who is involved. He is a guy who doesn’t regret decisions, and rarely admits fault. He’s drafted Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Nick Swisher, Joe Blanton, Huston Street, Sean Doolittle, Sonny Gray, and Addison Russell.
Beane refuses to pay out big contracts and has always made do with what he’s had. He’s become a master at looking for players that other clubs deem less valuable. He’s sent 24 players that he has acquired to the All-Star game, and then usually finds a good time to ship them out.
Beane will be with the A’s until at least 2019 when his contract expires, but when it’s all said and done, I expect him to have a spot in Cooperstown.
Next: Jon Daniels
#6 Jon Daniels – Texas Rangers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager
Jon Daniels has been around for a long time. When he took over the Rangers in October of 2005, he became the youngest GM in MLB history. He’s led the Rangers to six winning seasons, three Division Titles, six postseason appearances, and two World Series trips.
Daniels has managed to stay on board with Texas with two ownership groups, which is quite a feat, and didn’t let his youth and rough first years in Texas destroy him.
He’s made some great trades in the past, most notably trading Mark Teixeira. In that trade he netted Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, and Matt Harrison, all key players in their World Series runs.
Daniels brought in Adrian Beltre, who has probably been the Rangers best and most consistent player in the last five years. He resurrected Josh Hamilton, making him a five-time All-Star and MVP winner. Daniels has acquired big name guys like Cliff Lee, Carlos Lee, and now Cole Hamels.
The future has never looked brighter in Texas. They are in first in the AL West, are most likely headed back to the playoffs, and have a crop of young players such as Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, and Lewis Brinson. The Rangers currently have the third best farm system according to MLB.com.
Daniels isn’t even 40 yet, and has already imprinted his name in the Ranger’s history books.
Next: Dayton Moore
#5 Dayton Moore – Kansas City Royals General Manager
Dayton Moore is a baseball name that has exploded over the last two years, and rightfully so. Unlike Jon Daniels, Moore was able to win one World Series title with the Royals after making trips in back-to-back years.
Moore took over in the Royals’ front office midway through 2006. The Royals hadn’t been to the World Series since 1985, and they were coming off five losing seasons out of their last six. He didn’t have a very successful go at things in his first seven seasons, all under .500. However, he kept building the farm system, and using the draft to bulk for the future.
Moore is responsible for brining in Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Yordano Ventura, Greg Holland, and Kelvin Herrera. Although he didn’t bring in Alex Gordon, he stuck with him and watched him develop into one of the top outfielders in the MLB.
Moore isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on a trade. He sent Zack Greinke away for Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar, two All-Star, gold glove caliber young guys. He also made big time moves to to get veteran players such as James Shields, Johnny Cueto, Ben Zobrist, and Wade Davis.
He also came away with one of the most successful manager hires in recent years. In 2010, he brought in Ned Yost after he was surprisingly fired by the Brewers in the middle of a playoff race. His decision paid off big time, as Yost has overseen the development of the Royals’ young core.
Moore spent over six and a half seasons rebuilding the Royals franchise until their first winning season in 2013. Since then their two World Series trips and one ring have elevated him to executive stardom.
Next: Mike Rizzo
#4 Mike Rizzo – Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager
Mike Rizzo took over the struggling Nationals team in 2009, and since then has been regarded as one of the best executives in baseball.
His success began in the draft, selecting All-Star Stephen Strasburg and MVP Bryce Harper. Those two have both blossomed into superstars and perennial award winners. On top of those two, he also drafted an MVP candidate in Anthony Rendon, and the current top prospect in the MLB Lucas Giolito.
Rizzo took over a team that had yet to finish above fourth place since moving to Washington D.C. He’s changed the culture in Washington and has given them four straight winning seasons and two playoff appearances.
Rizzo’s biggest trade came when acquiring Gio Gonzalez in 2012. He’s been on the back end of the roation since, but has 59-42 record in the last four years. He built a team that had a phenomenal starting rotation, built around Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmerman, Gonzalez, and Doug Fister.
He’s also either drafted or acquired pitchers Joe Ross, Tanner Roark, Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Fernando Abad, and Tom Gorzelanny. He has built his team around pitchers, starting with a strong rotation and a shutdown bullpen.
He’s also created a model farm system. Creating a team centered around young superstars isn’t easy to do, but on top of that, he’s also preserved his minor league teams, stockpiling them with prospects. In 2011 he took the farm system from 24th best to 13th, and since then hasn’t fallen below 13th all but one year.
Rizzo is paid very well by the Nationals, and rightfully so. They are a team constantly at the top of the NL East, and have a World Series caliber roster ready to contend.
Next: John Mozeliak
#3 John Mozeliak – St. Louis Cardinals Senior Vice President and General Manager
It’s not easy to be one of the most successful and consistent teams over a nine-year period, but John Mozeliak has made it look easy. Since taking over the Cardinals, Mozeliak has never endured a losing season. He’s lead St. Louis to six postseasons, four division titles, and four Championship Series. On top of that, he’s been to the World Series twice and won once.
Mozeliak runs his franchise in a model way. He is big on scouting players and developing home-grown talent. He doesn’t dip into the free-agent pool often, and knows the right time to make a good trade. His one manager hire, John Matheny, who was a head-scratcher, proved to be the perfect replacement for Tony La Russa.
Mozeliak is responsible for so many of the Cardinals best players. He was brave enough to trade away Jim Edmonds in his first big move. With that trade, he acquired David Freese, who hit the ginormous game six home run that lead to a World Series win.
He has an eye for good talent. Through either the draft or amateur free-agent market, Mozeliak has brought in and developed: Matt Carpenter, Trevor Rosenthal, Lance Lynn, Michael Wacha, Oscar Taveras, Carlos Martinez, Kolten Wong, Shelby Miller, Stephen Piscotty, Aledmys Diaz, Matt Adams,
All of those players have been crucial to the Cardinals at one point in time, and serve as very good young players around the MLB. Mozeliak hasn’t had much money to work with, he’s never had more than $121 million in payroll, but doesn’t let that affect his roster.
Mozeliak is a small-market GM who operates one of the most successful teams of the last decade.
Next: Theo Epstein
#2 Theo Epstein – Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations
Theo Epstein is the hotshot who broke the Red Sox 86-year curse, and might be able to do the same in Chicago. He’s arguably one of the great baseball minds, bringing in boatloads of talent in the last decade.
In Boston, Theo gave the Red Sox two World Series, and acquired big names like Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Adrian Gonzalez, John Lackey, and J.D. Drew. He also gave David Ortiz a chance – that paid off.
He is responsible for drafting or signing: Dustin Pedroia, Anthony Rizzo (yes, drafted by Boston), Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Reddick, Jed Lowrie, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart, Christian Vazquez, Henry Owens, Matt Barnes, and Travis Shaw. It’s even more impressive that most of these guys are fueling the Red Sox #1 offense in baseball currently.
When Theo fled to Chicago in 2011 he started building immediately. He brought in his right-hand man in Boston, Jed Hoyer from San Diego. In the midst, he also acquired his old draftee Anthony Rizzo.
Theo’s work through the draft has been instrumental in building the Cubs’ young, star-studded roster. He drafted Javier Baez in 2011, following that up with Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant in 2013, and power-hitter Kyle Schwarber in 2014.
Theo has been a master of trades. He’s landed Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, All-Star shortstop Addison Russell, All-Star outfielder Dexter Fowler, and Miguel Montero. He’s also hit the free-agent market, bringing in Jon Lester, John Lackey, Jason Heyward, and Ben Zobrist. Let’s also not forget that he’s responsible for bringing Joe Madden to the Second City.
His Chicago Cubs are one of the best teams in the MLB currently, and advanced to the NLCS last season. If all goes right, Theo really does have the look of the man who will break the Curse of the Billy Goat, and overcome the antics of one Steve Bartman.
Epstein has an impressive executive tree under him. Jed Hoyer was his assistant GM in Boston, and now serves as GM in Chicago. He worked above Ben Cherington in Boston before he became the GM, and also groomed current Boston GM Mike Hazen.
Theo Epstein has overseen the development of great players in the MLB. He’s won two World Series and looks to add a few more. When Theo decides to end his baseball career, I assume he’ll have a spot in Cooperstown.
Next: Brian Sabean
#1 Brian Sabean – San Francisco Giants Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations
Brian Sabean is one of the most underrated executives in all of sports. He served as the GM of the Giants from 1997 to 2014. It’s almost hard to track all of Sabean’s moves in SF, and some of them might be left off this list.
When he first took over, he rebuilt the Giants from a 94-loss season to a 90-win season. In his 18 years as GM, the Giants had just five losing seasons. They advanced to the postseason seven times and won three World Series. In 2010 he put together the “Island of Misfit Toys” and won a World Series and since then has built teams around the draft.
Sabean’s first big move was trading for Jeff Kent. It was considered a poor move at the time but paid off in a big way. Kent spent six years with the Giants, and won an MVP. Sabean has been responsible for acquiring Juan Uribe, Freddy Sanchez, Cody Ross, Carlos Beltran, Hunter Pence, J.T. Snow, and Ryan Vogelsong (to name a few).
Sabean then created a very successful environment by depending on the draft. In recent years, he has selected: Matt Cain, David Aardsma, Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Zack Wheeler, and Joe Panik.
He’s been a master of bringing up his young talent and filling in the rest of the roster with veterans. He is responsible for hiring Bruce Bochy, an extremely successful managerial hiring. Bochy has amassed a 520 winning percentage and three rings in his 10 years with the Giants.
Sabean was the longest tenured GM in the MLB, and although he no longer serves the position, he does run the shots. He’s put together now, 19 successful years in San Francisco, even in his five losing seasons. To hold a job down for as long as Sabean has speaks volumes about his talent in the front office.