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MLB: Ranking the Top 10 General Managers in Baseball

By Robby Sabo

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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February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Notables

Jun 15, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (left) talks to executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette (right) during batting practice prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (left) talks to executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette (right) during batting practice prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Dan Duquette, Baltimore Orioles
  2. Chris Antonetti, Cleveland Indians
  3. Jerry Dipoto, Los Angeles Angels
  4. Jed Hoyer, Chicago Cubs
  5. John Hart, Atlanta Braves
  6. Jeff Luhnow, Houston Astros
  7. Terry Ryan, Minnesota Twins
  8. Alex Anthopoulos, Toronto Blue Jays
  9. Jon Daniels, Texas Rangers
  10. Rick Hahn, Chicago White Sox

Promotions

  1. Theo Epstein, Chicago Cubs
  2. Andrew Friedman, Los Angeles Dodgers

Baltimore Orioles boss Dan Duquette leads off the notables section as the guy who receives the top snub.

Duquette taking the helm prior to the 2012 season does directly correlate with Baltimore’s resurgence. He took over a 69-93 team who finished 93-69 and made the postseason for the first time since 1997 during his first year.

However, Buck Showalter’s presence also has to be accounted for.

Wherever Showalter has went during his outstanding managerial career, he has turned the team into winners. Whether it’s been the Yankees, Diamondbacks or Rangers, Buck is a master at getting the most out of his guys.

Also mentioned are the names of Jeff Luhnow and John Hart.

Luhnow is still in the midst of his long, drawn out plan that has his Astros on course to arrive in 2017. Meanwhile, the veteran Hart, is currently getting destroyed in Atlanta for what he’s done in an interim basis.

While Braves fans can’t quite understand why the likes of Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel have been shipped,  the man knows what he’s doing. During the 1990’s he turned the Indians into a powerhouse and had the Rangers dominant for the better part of a decade in the 2000s.

Recognizing which way the baseball landscape is currently trending is job number-one as a general manager. And for Hart, he realizes this is not a power-game anymore. His early work with the Braves is an indication he’s already retooling to create a pitching, defense and speed type of club.

Finally, I felt the need to mention the names of Theo Epstein and Andrew Friedman.

While these two guys aren’t general managers anymore, they shouldn’t be left off completely just because they were promoted to executives. Most realize while some guys aren’t labeled as “general managers,” it doesn’t mean they aren’t the top voice.

As far as this list is concerned, we will only include guys with the general manager tag.

Next: No. 10

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