MLB: Ranking the Top 10 General Managers in Baseball
By Robby Sabo
7. Dave Dombrowski, Detroit Tigers
- 2015 Payroll: $173,752,585 – 3rd in MLB
- Assumed Position: April 8, 2002
- Tigers Accomplishments: 2006 AL Pennant, 5 Playoff Appearances
Dave Dombrowski of the Detroit Tigers represents one of the stalwarts of this group.
Since 2002, Dombrowski has achieved a very even-keel, consistent type of success that very few competitors have been able to match.
As much as the buzzword around baseball remains “development,” Dombrowski continues to be one of the guys who thrives on a very different approach. His teams tend to be loaded with experienced veterans acquired through smart transactions.
One of these brilliant transactions by Dombrowski came in 2007.
He acquired Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins for prospects Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo, Eulogio De La Cruz, Dallas Trahern and Burke Badenhop. It’s safe to say Detroit came out on top in the deal.
Cabrera has made five All-Star teams, was named the AL MVP twice, and won the AL Triple Crown in 2012 with an astonishing .330 batting average, 44 home runs and 139 runs batted in.
Maybin is now in Atlanta, as he has never fully realized his potential. Andrew Miller represents the only one of the group that has became a prominent figure in baseball, but hadn’t fulfilled his promise until much later in his career.
Of course Dombrowski was helped out by the “fire-sale” bunch that is the Marlins ownership, but he capitalized in a major way with this fleecing.
Another huge veteran acquisition was David Price a season ago at the trade deadline. Don’t forget his humiliating of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Max Scherzer three-team deal involving the Yankees.
Dombrowski is not afraid to construct a “now-win” team.
One thing though. They better win now, because the farm is bare. Many outlets have them ranked as the worst minor league system in all of baseball.
Next: No. 6