Best GM in the game?

[NAHSTE]

Gob had a post about Alex Anthopolous in another thread which had me thinking on this. Obviously AA is up there, but he may not even be the best GM in his own division.

To me it comes down to Friedman, Theo, Wren and AA.

What say you all?

[Sharkweather]

1. Andrew Friedman
2. Theo Epstein
3. Frank Wren
4. Alex Anthopoulos
5. Dayton Moore

Just Missed
Daniel O'Dowd
Jon Daniels
Walt Jocketty

[deathdealer]

Theo

[dave]

Alex Anthopoulos

He magically unloaded Vernon Wells' contract and keeps getting good players for pretty much nothing. He should be nominated for sainthood.

[Youk]

My homer pick is obviously Theo. My issue with that is his recent failings in Free Agency. Yes, he has had his shining moments, but Drew, Matsuzaka, and Crawford haven't really lived up to their money. Crawford is less than a season in and is already looking like a bust, and I'll be honest, I was pumped for the Matsuzaka signing back in the day.

Not saying that Theo is a terrible GM, or even average. Just throwing a little negativity out there.

[Swarley]

My homer pick is obviously Theo. My issue with that is his recent failings in Free Agency. Yes, he has had his shining moments, but Drew, Matsuzaka, and Crawford haven't really lived up to their money. Crawford is less than a season in and is already looking like a bust, and I'll be honest, I was pumped for the Matsuzaka signing back in the day.

Not saying that Theo is a terrible GM, or even average. Just throwing a little negativity out there.

I'd throw Lackey in that FA group over Crawford any day. I still think it's way too early to brand the Carl signing as a failure. If Carl still fails to produce next season, then I would no doubt.

[Youk]

I'd throw Lackey in that FA group over Crawford any day. I still think it's way too early to brand the Carl signing as a failure. If Carl still fails to produce next season, then I would no doubt.

Ah, completely forgot about Lackey, I knew I was missing someone. I wouldn't call it a failure yet, but from the beginning they overpaid, just like with Drew. Would I have made the same decision? Yes, most likely. But I'm a fan who needs to complain, so complain I will.

[EmpireWF]

How does Theo get so much love but Cashman gets none?

Aren't they practically the same style (throw money at big FA's, have a nice group of prospects ready to deal or call up if necessary, perennial W.S. contenders, have actually won, too)?

[zack54attack]

Jim Hendry

 

[NAHSTE]

How does Theo get so much love but Cashman gets none?

Aren't they practically the same style (throw money at big FA's, have a nice group of prospects ready to deal or call up if necessary, perennial W.S. contenders, have actually won, too)?

I've just never liked Cashman that much, but I guess Theo gets the "cerebral" bonus points from other people.

[Youk]

How does Theo get so much love but Cashman gets none?

Aren't they practically the same style (throw money at big FA's, have a nice group of prospects ready to deal or call up if necessary, perennial W.S. contenders, have actually won, too)?

I think Cashman gets knocked down because of transaction that were out of his control, under the reign of Steinbrenner. It's a shame, because when he did make the moves he preferred, I believed they were better than Steinbrenner's.

[RyanLeaf16]

Give me Friedman everyday of the week. I'll take him over any GM in the league.

[Guest]

For their whole bodies of work, it is hard to argue against Larry Beinfest, Brian Cashman, Theo Epstein and Andy MacPhail, as well as Walt Jocketty.

Beinfest has presided over the Marlins second WS title, and drafted well for them. He is now President of Baseball Operations and the Marlins do have a GM, but I am sure a lot of moves still come down from Beinfest. Cashman deserves recognition for his years with the Yanks and putting up with the Steinbrenners. Epstein took a solid Red Sox roster and built it into a winner. He's had some lapses in free agency, but he drafts very well and makes good trades.

Meanwhile, Andy MacPhail has a long list of work, laying the foundation for the Minnesota Twins over 20 years ago, and they still stick to what he put into place there for player development. Under his watch as President with the Cubs, they did draft well and saw success. The Orioles are a different story so far. Still, he deserves recognition for his work with the Twins for sure.

Walt Jocketty did some great work for the Cardinals for years, bringing in TLR, drafting Pujols and was with them for 13 years.

Today, I don't think anyone does more with less than Andrew Friedman. He's one of the best minds out there, and he has to be, because Friedman more than any GM needs to be worried about the future, as well as the present, when he makes any transaction. AA is certainly on his way up there, but I want to see the Jays make the playoffs before I crown him.

Frank Wren is probably my second. He had a failed term as the de facto GM of the Orioles, but has really done a great job with the Braves, and made some great trades to get value for the team.

I also want to point out Dan O'Dowd. I am glad that the Rockies gave him a chance to continue his work despite the Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle contract debacles. He's built a really good team up in Colorado and I think people tend to ignore them.

[kyhadley]

My homer pick is obviously Theo. My issue with that is his recent failings in Free Agency. Yes, he has had his shining moments, but Drew, Matsuzaka, and Crawford haven't really lived up to their money. Crawford is less than a season in and is already looking like a bust, and I'll be honest, I was pumped for the Matsuzaka signing back in the day.

Not saying that Theo is a terrible GM, or even average. Just throwing a little negativity out there.

Crawford is hitting .305 since May 25th. Which after today's game will be exactly half of the season played. I think thats enough to be done with the bust comments.

[Berowsk]

How is Ruben not even mentioned yet? He's not the best, but the dude's acquired a key piece for the team at the deadline since he's been with us. He's built and maintained a championship caliber teams and he's only been a GM since 08.