Rating MLB general managers for 2021: The NL Central
By Bill Felber
NL Central GM rankings: No. 1 — Mike Girsch, St. Louis Cardinals general manager
+2.4 WAA
Mike Girsch was the sole NL Central general manager to actually improve his team’s fortunes during 2021. His +2.4 overall score ranked ninth among all MLB GMs, but it was five games better than any of his divisional peers.
Girsch largely relied on the team’s existing talent base. He made a comparatively modest 32 personnel moves affecting the major league roster. Sixteen of those moves – exactly half – benefitted the team, while 15 hurt it and one was neutral.
Three major pluses elevate Girsch’s season to the status of above-average. He re-signed veteran pitcher Adam Wainwright, and Wainwright enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. He went 17-7 in 32 starts with a 3.05 ERA, all of that adding up to +1.8 WAA.
The second key move, statistically even more valuable, was the promotion of rookie shortstop Edmundo Sosa. In 113 games, Sosa batted .271 and added +11 defensive runs saved, adding up to +2.1 WAA.
Finally, of course, was Girsch’s ability to fleece Colorado out of All Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, +1.9 WAA, in exchange for a modestly ineffective pitcher and some prospects.
That deal was most of the reason why Girsch emerged as the fifth most effective general manager at the trade table during 2021.
His final score left him fifth overall among NL general managers, trailing only the Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman, the Giants’ Scott Harris, the Padres’ A.J. Preller and the Phillies’ Sam Fuld.