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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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Jun 12, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker (left) the Pirates first round selection in the 2014 supplemental draft speaks with Pirates general manager Neal Huntington (right) after signing his contract before the Pirates host the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker (left) the Pirates first round selection in the 2014 supplemental draft speaks with Pirates general manager Neal Huntington (right) after signing his contract before the Pirates host the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Neal Huntington, Pittsburgh Pirates

  • 2015 Payroll: $89,790,999 – 23rd in MLB
  • Assumed Position: September 25, 2007
  • Pirates Accomplishments: 2013 and 2014 NL Wild Card

Where the Pittsburgh Pirates currently stand as an MLB organization is simply amazing.

After so much horrid play leading to such a disgusting stretch, Pittsburgh is now viewed by its peers as a model organization. Most of it is due to general manager Neal Huntington.

At 46-years of age, Huntington is now right in that meaty part of a general manager’s age where he tends to enjoy his most success. Admittedly, his first few seasons weren’t all ice cream and roses. He struggled a bit.

Slowly but surely, Huntington build a winner.

Not only is Pittsburgh competitive on an annual basis at the big league level, but their farm is loaded. It’s a system so loaded that they’re considered by most to be in the Top 10 of organizational talent (ranked No. 7 by Baseball America).

While Huntington wasn’t responsible for drafting franchise player Andrew McCutchen, he granted overwhelming stability when McCutchen signed a six-year, $51.5 million deal that assures the MVP contender to be in Pittsburgh through the 2018 season.

Ace Gerrit Cole and pitching prospects Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon could possibly be the key for Huntington and the Pirates to remain near the top of the NL Central with the St. Louis Cardinals in the years to come.

Nevertheless, taking a perennial loser – 20 straight losing seasons from 1993 to 2012 – and turning them into back to back NL Wild Card winners is no small feat.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Huntington has done the impossible in Pittsburgh: get this starved fan-base going absolutely nuts because of Pirates success.

Next: No. 7

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