With Bobby Evans’ departure from the San Francisco Giants, which general managers might be next?
The dismissal of Bobby Evans as general manager of the San Francisco Giants is a clear reminder that managers aren’t the only ones likely to lose their jobs over the next couple of weeks.
There were only two new general managers in 2018, and only one replaced a GM fired following the 2017 season. Alex Anthopoulos took over in Atlanta following the forced removal of John Coppolella in the aftermath of a scandal involving the improper signing of international players. Nick Krall was promoted to GM in Cincinnati following the organizational elevation of his predecessor.
But that small amount of GM turnover is unusual. Following the 2016 season, four new general managers were named. Red Sox President Dave Dombrowski appointed himself general manager replacing Mike Hazen, who had moved to Arizona to succeed Dave Stewart. In Tampa-St. Petersburg, Eric Neander succeeded Matt Silverman when Silverman was elevated to president of baseball operations. Thad Levine was appointed general manager of the Minnesota Twins in November of 2016, succeeding Terry Ryan, who had retired.
There were nine new GM appointees following both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Evans’ removal creates the second GM opening of 2018, following the illness-driven resignation earlier this year of Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. The Mets have been operated since then by a management consortium. But additional resignations or forced removals are not at all out of the question. Here’s a look at why at least a few general managers should be nervous heading into the 2018-19 off-season.