Is AA a Good GM?

[Angrioter]

Just found a good article about Mozeliak and sabermetrics:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/32471/how-the-cardinals-use-sabermetrics

 

f*** I want a guy like that running my favourite team.

 

“

Now we're able to combine these advanced stats with the ability now to really create a model that gives us sort of recommendations on contracts, salary and length," he said. "When you start thinking about things like the aging curve -- that is something I think 20, 30 years ago when players were signing contracts, they were signing contracts for what they accomplished -- now people are signing contracts for what you expect them to do.

 

”

-- John Mozeliak

 

We should kidnap it him

[Dick_Pole]

This is what makes this debate so frustrating. People are throwing out stuff like stats and roster management.

 

It's not like it takes a genius to implement some kind of saber analysis into your repertoire. Any idiot can look at some stats and use the sort or filter function in Microsoft Excel. Nor does it take a genius to have basic roster management skills.

 

The most important trait a GM can have is negotiation skills and its subset of traits (personable, outgoing, aggressive etc). Alex has proven in the past with contract negotiations and with trades he excels in this aspect with the exception of the Dickey trade where that was a clear overpay. The problem is the end goal he is aiming towards is f***ed up. There's no one better at assembling a dominant and deep bullpen than Alex. One that is so deep that there's 3 or 4 guys capable of being in an MLB bullpen rotting in triple A and running out of options. And it was created at the detriment of depth at an MLB roster where your core five guys (Lawrie, Reyes, Rasmus, Bautista, EE) have a good chance of averaging less than 120 games each in any given season. Who in their right mind does something like this?

[Dick_Pole]

During his tenure the bullpen is 10th in the AL in fWAR, and 11th in ERA.

 

Yeah but getting Colby Rasmus was his prime focus until he realized that having Fransisco Cordero in the bullpen was not a winning situation.

[Boxcar]

It's sad to see people clawing and fighting to find some redeeming qualities in AA, only to fail and decide to blame Beeston.

[connorp]

During his tenure the bullpen is 10th in the AL in fWAR, and 11th in ERA.

 

Lol. Torched

[itaos]

The Wells trade was a miracle so I cant give up on him yet. However, the Dickey trade was atrocious as he must have been salivating over the contract. If he admits failure and trades off Rasmus++ I will believe again. However, if he trades more than either Sanchez or Stroman alone for Samardzija or signs Ubaldo to a large deal it will be time for a change.

[Boxcar]

The Wells trade was a miracle so I cant give up on him yet. However, the Dickey trade was atrocious as he must have been salivating over the contract. If he admits failure and trades off Rasmus++ I will believe again.

 

Wells trade was all Arte Moreno, bro. That's the truth. You can credit AA for saying yes, I guess.

[itaos]

If Johnson performed it would have been worth it. Reyes alone is going to cost a lot. At the time of the trade it was considered a good deal like the Dodgers-BoSox trade. The Dickey trade should have stopped at D'Arnaud. It was a trainwreck at the time and hasnt aged well.

[Boxcar]

Anyone else find it weird that the common narrative right now is that the Dickey trade was terrible but the Marlins trade was alright?

 

Wasn't that always the case?

[Boxcar]

If Johnson performed it would have been worth it. At the time of the trade it was considered a good deal like the Dodgers-BoSox trade. The Dickey trade should have stopped at D'Arnaud.

 

If Johnson performed, the result would have been a worse draft pick and possibly an awful, expensive extension for an injury prone pitcher with red flags galore.

[Abomination]

Wells trade was all Arte Moreno, bro. That's the truth. You can credit AA for saying yes, I guess.

 

Let's be honest. If someone like Bean or Friedman had managed to dump a contract like Wells, people would be giving them all the credit for pulling it off.

[itaos]

Jays absolutely could use Alvarez, Nicolino, DeSclafani and Marisnick given the lack of results from the trade. Wish it could be undone, but think Syndergaard will have the biggest impact out of the group.

[havok24]

I love how the Rays managed to scoop up the best asset out of that trade. That's the icing on the cake.

[Boxcar]

Let's be honest. If someone like Bean or Friedman had managed to dump a contract like Wells, people would be giving them all the credit for pulling it off.

 

Unless they knew the truth, which we do. If it helps your case to support AA, go for it but I prefer to see things how they are.

[itaos]

Wells trade was all Arte Moreno, bro. That's the truth. You can credit AA for saying yes, I guess.

 

I never read that article. It would absolutely change my view and would be ready to bring out the pitchfork calling for AAs head.

[Boxcar]

I never read that article. It would absolutely change my view and would be ready to bring out the pitchfork calling for AAs head.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/vernon_wells/

 

"In a long article outlining the Angels' troubles under Arte Moreno, CBS Sports' Scott Miller reports that the Halos owner was the driving force behind the club's ill-fated trade for Vernon Wells before the 2011 season. Moreno threatened to fire former GM Tony Reagins if he failed to complete the deal within 24 hours, Miller says. Here's more out of the American League.."

[itaos]

Thanks for digging that up. AA got lucky in dealing with a moron for his best deal. Guess that means Sanchez or Stroman will be gone in yet another overpay.

[havok24]

And then after receiving that gift AA immediately moves Mike Napoli for Frank Francisco lol.

 

Napoli has put up 11.3 fWAR since the trade ugh lol. It's weird though because the Wells trade was viewed as AA's finest moment as GM, but a few days later he deals Napoli for a reliever and it's all down hill from there. Napoli would have been a very nice fit for this team for f*** sakes.

[Fearthedoc]

but a few days later he deals Napoli for a reliever and it's all down hill from there.

 

The Beginning of the End.

[Jays]

The thing that bugs me about AA is that I really think there is a very good GM in him. He has his faults but I really believe he was pressured into putting a competitive team on the field last season by Beaston and the higher ups and as a result he s*** the bed. None of last winter really fit with what he was doing.

 

I wouldn't say a very good GM. Maybe just a good GM in him. He does have some upside. Building from the farm. Aquiring underated/undervalued/'problem' players. I don't think he understands advanced stats and such and it prevents him from having the ability to be a very good GM until he opens his mind to them.

 

But it does look like he was pushed into the situation we're in now. The worst part about this is the things that he does well, he can't do them now. He's being forced to trade his prospects to fit the window and he may not be able to acquire a Morrow type player because Beeston is looking for vets and proven players. AA probably isn't even allowed to trade guys like Janssen because we're trying to compete now, when he should be capitalizing on their value, all because the people above him want to win now.

[connorp]

Even following the narrative that AA was forced to put a contender on the field..

 

He wasn't ordered to go seek out such and such. He wasn't ordered to give up way too much for a Reyes contract MiA desperately wanted out of, same with MB..and 1 year of JJ. Also maybe instead of Dickey with the value he traded he could have added Gose/Nolin and such and had a chance at guys like Samarzija.

 

One thing AA is known for is working the phones and I doubt there weren't other things he was working on. He chose the wrong path. So he should never get a mulligan for what happened last year.

[GeorgiaPeach]

Like Havok said, the best asset in that deal was Yunel Escobar. I refuse to give the FO a mulligan for punting $50+ million in surplus value because he wrote a bad word on his face.

 

Blame the fans and media for the firestorm.

 

Wave of the future, people getting fired for tweeting or posting bad stuff. Better now just to say it to these pussies in society that can't handle racy comnents.

[GeorgiaPeach]

I wouldn't say a very good GM. Maybe just a good GM in him. He does have some upside. Building from the farm. Aquiring underated/undervalued/'problem' players. I don't think he understands advanced stats and such and it prevents him from having the ability to be a very good GM until he opens his mind to them.

 

But it does look like he was pushed into the situation we're in now. The worst part about this is the things that he does well, he can't do them now. He's being forced to trade his prospects to fit the window and he may not be able to acquire a Morrow type player because Beeston is looking for vets and proven players. AA probably isn't even allowed to trade guys like Janssen because we're trying to compete now, when he should be capitalizing on their value, all because the people above him want to win now.

 

And we have intelligent posters on here who want the team to follow through with this absolutely f***ing stupid idea of going all in.

[connorp]

Blame the fans and media for the firestorm.

 

Wave of the future, people getting fired for tweeting or posting bad stuff. Better now just to say it to these pussies in society that can't handle racy comnents.

 

Actually it was just typical media sensationalism and Jays buckling to nasty calls/letters from GLAAD and whatever other pro-gay organizations. I doubt the typical fan worried on it. Maybe thought it was without class and smack him on wrist sure. Even if I was a gay man, don't think I would lose sleep on it

[Caper]

And then after receiving that gift AA immediately moves Mike Napoli for Frank Francisco lol.

 

As bad as that turned out... I don't see how EE would have gotten as much rope as he did with Napoli around. I think EE would have been thrown to the curb.

[Anemic0ffense]

Actually it was just typical media sensationalism and Jays buckling to nasty calls/letters from GLAAD and whatever other pro-gay organizations. I doubt the typical fan worried on it. Maybe thought it was without class and smack him on wrist sure. Even if I was a gay man, don't think I would lose sleep on it

 

I couldn't care less what people do behind closed doors, but the fact of the matter is, the gay militia owns the media.

[Caper]

Napoli should have been catching though.

 

It's pretty easy to say that now. I remember when the trade was made.... I'm sure someone can dig up the old thread... there was not this chorus of bluejay fans outraged over flipping Napoli... though I'm sure everyone now will say they knew it then.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Caper

[Caper]

I couldn't care less what people do behind closed doors, but the fact of the matter is, the gay militia owns the media.

 

What if that someone was.... Ian Watkins!!

[connorp]

It's pretty easy to say that now. I remember when the trade was made.... I'm sure someone can dig up the old thread... there was not this chorus of bluejay fans outraged over flipping Napoli... though I'm sure everyone now will say they new it then.

 

Pretty sure i remember most people were pissed

[GD]

Napoli should have been catching though.

 

This isn't meant to be taken too seriously, but imagine if AA had foreseen Arencibia's shortcomings and made another move as he does fairly well just before a prospect blows up, and he traded Arencibia for something valuable and had let Napoli be our catcher. EE would have still emerged at DH, and then maybe when Napoli's hips flare up last winter, we sign Martin to catch.

 

At this time of year, hindsight is so much fun to use. That's a lie it's so so painful help I just want to watch a good team