MLB: Ranking the decade’s best general managers

MLB: Ranking the decade’s best general managers

1. Mike Rizzo, +143.0 games (Washington Nationals, 2010-19)

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The Nationals’ 2019 World Series title provided a capstone to Rizzo’s decade-long tenure as general manager.

Until that win, the Nats had been more post-season disappointment than regular-season success to their fans. But Rizzo’s record has been consistently solid, generating annual positive long-term impact and – with the exception of 2018 – annual short-term impact as well.

A University of Illinois graduate, Rizzo was an assistant coach at the University of Illinois when he attracted the attention of White Sox GM Larry Himes, who hired him as a scout.

From 2000 to 2006 he served as director of scouting for the Arizona Diamondbacks when he was named assistant GM of the Nationals by Jim Bowden. He succeeded Bowden following the 2009 season.

His short-term moves have favored the Nats to an almost mystical degree. Those have included his free-agent signing of Patrick Corbin (+4.0 games in 2019), his promotion of Bryce Harper (+3.4 games in 2012), and his trade acquisition of Gio Gonzalez (+3.2 games in 2012).

Over the decade, Rizzo’s short-term dealings improved the Nats by an average of 4.1 games per season, peaking at +15.1 games in 2015. His signing of Max Scherzer (+5.1 games) was the defining characteristic of his tenure.