Call to the pen
Fansided

Which MLB GM is on the chopping block?

By Bill Felber

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 30: President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox Dave Dombrowski looks on during batting practice before a MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 30, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 30: President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox Dave Dombrowski looks on during batting practice before a MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 30, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
(Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Who’s the Next MLB GM to go?

Jeff Bridich, Colorado Rockies

Bridich’s contract with the Rockies is a closely guarded secret. Neither the terms nor duration have ever been specified.

That makes it impossible to know what kind of contractual leverage Bridich might have. At the same time, it suggests that he’s “serving at the pleasure” of the Monfort Brothers, Rockies owners, and could be removed basically at any time.

Given Colorado’s disappointing 60-84 record and last place standing in the NL West, that time could be soon.

Bridich’s 2019 off-season was not inspiring. On the plus side, he did sign the franchise’s face, Nolan Arenado, to an 8-year extension. Aside from that, however, his signings were not helpful: Daniel Murphy, Carlos Gonzalez and Mark Reynolds all proved to be net negatives. Nor has the farm system proved helpful. It’s two biggest names, Raimel Tapia and Garrett Hampson, both have disappointed.

To the extent it helps him, Bridich is close to a Rockies lifer. A Harvard graduate, he joined the team’s front office in 2004 – he was 27 at the time – serving in various capacities including director of baseball operations. When Dan O’Dowd retired following the 2014 season, Bridch succeeded his former boss.

Since then the Rockies have twice qualified for post-season play, losing the wild card game to Arizona in 2017 and being swept in the division series by Milwaukee in 2018. Nevertheless, the Rockies are a sub-.500 team, 381-412, during Bridich’s tenure.

So Bridich’s security really hangs on several unknowables: How satisfied are the Monforts with what the team has done, to what extent do they hold Bridich responsible for the 2019 failures, and what, if anything, would it cost them to get rid of him?

Home/MLB News