MLB: Ranking the Top 10 General Managers in Baseball

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane speaks to the media during MLB media day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane speaks to the media during MLB media day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean speaks to the media during MLB media day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean speaks to the media during MLB media day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Brian Sabean, San Francisco Giants

  • 2015 Payroll: $173,326,003 – 4th in MLB
  • Assumed Position: October 1, 1996
  • Major Accomplishments: 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series Champions

Even if the San Francisco Giants hadn’t won the 2014 World Series, Brian Sabean could have been dubbed the best general manager in the game.

Sabean has three championships to his credit in the last five-seasons. Most of his success has been tied to pitching and timely hitting.

First off, hiring Bruce Bochy has his manager has been the best move of his baseball career. Bochy handles pitching staffs and bullpens better than anybody.

Some of the pitching talent to come through the organization includes Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Mait Cain and Zack Wheeler. Of course, Bumgarner was the most recent arm to announce his presence to the world last fall.

Sabean’s uncanny ability to find clutch-hitting is also a major reason for all the hardware in San Francisco. He always finds a way to put a “team” together, rather than a collection of talent.

San Francisco’s current hold on the baseball farm market isn’t great. In fact, Baseball America has their organizational talent ranked No. 27 overall.

That doesn’t take away what Sabean has done for this franchise during the last six-seasons. All it means is the franchise needs to reload a bit after many years of success.

It’s tough to remain on top for the better part of a decade. If anybody can do it though, it’s Sabean.

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