MLB: Ranking the Top 10 General Managers in Baseball
By Robby Sabo
4. Billy Beane, Oakland Athletics
- 2015 Payroll: $86,006,119 – 25th in MLB
- Assumed Position: October 18, 1997
- Major Accomplishments: 8 Playoff Appearances
If somebody told you 20-years ago that a movie involving A-list actors would be made about a baseball general manager, you’d chuckle aloud.
I guess Billy Beane is that just that transcending.
Love him or hate him, the Oakland Athletics boss belongs on this list. His detractors will forever say he wasn’t won anything.
While it’s true, the success he’s enjoyed during his 18-year tenure is remarkable considering the lack of resources he’s been afforded.
There’s no other way to go about his business. Beane is a true Sabermetrician who needed to further Bill James’ weird baseball philosophy. His ways have led to eight-playoff appearances and an abundance of other organizations going the Sabermetrics route.
More than Sabermetrics though, Beane’s ultimate success has been finding hidden gems in the pitching department.
Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mike Mulder were just three of the guys who led the way during the now wildly-popular 20-game win streak in 2002.
His most recent pitching finds have been ace Sonny Gray (18th overall pick by Beane in the 2011 Draft) and Kendall Graveman (acquired in Josh Donaldson deal).
It is Beane’s fearless attitude about shipping players in and out that allows his small-market bunch to stay afloat.
Yes, his minor league system must stay at a certain level at all times, but think about his recent movements. Trading away super-prospect Addison Russell for Jeff Samardzija and Yoenis Cespedes for Jon Lester are both examples of a “go for it now” attitude.
Having the keen sense of awareness that his 2015 club isn’t ready to contend, he took a step back this past offseason by unloading both Donaldson and Brandon Moss, his only true power-hitters.
Next: No. 3