Can a general manager really make a big difference in a short time? Two National League West teams hope so, with the Dodgers hiring Chicago native Ned Colletti and the Diamondbacks dipping into the new breed of youngsters with Josh Byrnes.
Both made several daring moves in the off-season, trying to make a big splash in a division that is up for grabs after the Padres finished in first place in 2005 with just 82 victories.
Playing in the West gives one of them–most likely Colletti if only because of existing talent–a chance to be an instant hero.
A former Wrigley Field Bleacher Bum, Colletti comes from the San Francisco Giants, where he was an assistant. He’s from the “old school,” i.e. pre-computer days, of scouting.
Byrnes, 35, comes from Boston, where he learned the “new school” way to do things under Theo Epstein. He becomes only the second general manager in Arizona history.
In all, seven teams hired general managers this winter–eight if you count the Red Sox taking back Epstein after a two-month pout. In fact, Tampa Bay and Baltimore have hired what appear to be “tandem” GMs.
Other general managers who are new to their jobs this spring:
Jon Daniels, Rangers
Youngest GM in history at 28 was promoted from within organization; makes up for lack of experience through hard work.
Andrew Freidman, Devil Rays
Has Wall Street background and is only 29 years old; will rely on former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker before making big decisions.
Pat Gillick, Phillies
Definitely “old school” and just plain old at 68. Was GM in Toronto’s 1992-93 champion seasons and in Seattle for 116-win season in 2001.
Wayne Krivsky, Reds
Strong in scouting and developing players on tight budget, like ex-boss Terry Ryan has been with Twins.
Jim Duquette, Orioles
Was Mets GM for 15 months before Omar Minaya was hired; will share duties with Mike Flanagan.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST PREVIEW
PADRES
Last year: 82-80, 1st (lost to St. Louis in Division Series)
Manager: Bruce Bochy.
Cornerstones: 1B Ryan Klesko, RF Brian Giles, RHP Jake Peavy, RHP Woody Williams, RHP Trevor Hoffman.
Additions: 2B Mark Bellhorn, IF Geoff Blum, RHP Dewon Brazelton, RHP Doug Brocail, OF Mike Cameron, 3B Vinny Castilla, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Seth Etherton, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, IF Bobby Hill, C Mike Piazza, OF Terrmel Sledge, RHP Chris Young, 1B Walter Young.
Losses: 3B Sean Burroughs, RHP Adam Eaton, 1B Robert Fick, LHP Chris Hammond, C Ramon Martinez, IF Damian Jackson, RHP Brian Lawrence, 2B Mark Loretta, OF Xavier Nady, C Miguel Olivo, RHP Akinori Otsuka, 3B Joe Randa, LHP Dennys Reyes, RHP Rudy Seannez, 1B Mark Sweeney.
Road to success: New additions to lineup–Piazza, Castilla, Cameron–are old but should feel right at home with other over-30s. Health will be concern because of lack of depth.
Under review: Partially revamped pitching staff is old (Williams, Estes, Park, Hoffman) and somewhat tattered except for Young. Team had seventh-best ERA in league despite playing in expansive Petco Field, a pitcher’s best friend.
Mystery man: The 6-10 Young is former basketball player just blossoming as starter. He was 12-7 for Rangers and should be better in big park.
Summing up: GM Kevin Towers wasn’t fooled by division title from 82-80 record. Aging rotation should be helped by addition of Young. If they can get to Hoffman, they should be OK. Record may be about same, but will that be good enough?
DIAMONDBACKS
Last year: 77-85, 2nd.
Manager: Bob Melvin.
Cornerstones: LF Luis Gonzalez, RF Shawn Green, SS Craig Counsell, RHP Brandon Webb, RHP Russ Ortiz.
Additions: RHP Miguel Batista, OF Eric Byrnes, 2B Damian Easley, C Johnny Estrada, RHP Jason Grimsley, RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Luis Vizcaino.
Losses: SS Royce Clayton, RHP Lance Cormier, LHP Shawn Estes, 3B Troy Glaus, C Kelly Stinnett, RHP Javier Vazquez, RHP Oscar Villarreal, RHP Tim Worrell.
Road to success: With departures of power man Glaus and starter Vazquez, more than $56 million saved over next two years. Hopes are young Conor Jackson can fill first base and Chad Tracy can mature at third. That’s open for debate.
Under review: D’backs traded Vazquez to White Sox and may have weakened staff that was 14th in ERA and allowed second most home runs. Brandon Webb OK at No. 1, Russ Ortiz had five wins and bloated 6.89 ERA last season and rest are questions.
Mystery man: Hernandez, the “ageless” one, had mixed reviews with White Sox and he had shoulder problems. But he flashed that old “El Duque” magic as reliever in playoffs.
Summing up: Hard to tell if team is improved, but new GM Josh Byrnes may have money to spend at trading deadline, and may have to use it.
GIANTS
Last year: 75-87, 3rd.
Manager: Felipe Alou.
Cornerstones: C Mike Matheny, LF Barry Bonds, 2B Ray Durham, SS Omar Vizquel, RF Moises Alou, RHP Jason Schmidt.
Additions: OF Steve Finley, LHP Steve Kline, RHP Matt Morris, 1B Mark Sweeney, IF Jose Vizcaino, RHP Tim Worrell.
Losses: 3B Edgardo Alfonzo, 2B Brian Dallimore, LHP Scott Eyre, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, 1B J.T. Snow, RHP Brett Tomko.
Road to success: Quite simply, Bonds must be healthy and productive. Can he still play? He produced slugging percentage of .667 and on-base percentage of .404 in 14 games at end of season, plus he is motivated to break Hank Aaron’s HR record.
Under review: How old is old? Team was age-challenged to begin with, and adding Finley and Morris didn’t help. Bonds, Alou, Finley and Vizquel were born in ’60s.
Mystery man: Most prospects were traded for “experience,” but Matt Cain was kept. He’s 21 and full of potential as starter (2-1, 2.33 ERA in seven starts). If he’s ready for big time, Giants fill gaping hole.
Summing up: Giants could be right in mix, if old guys are healthy and productive. But injury issues linger over best player (Bonds) and best pitcher (Schmidt). It might be all or nothing in last gasp effort with Bonds.
DODGERS
Last year: 71-91, 4th.
Manager: Grady Little.
Cornerstones: 2B Jeff Kent, RF J.D. Drew, RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Eric Gagne.
Additions: C Sandy Alomar, RHP Danys Baez, RHP Lance Carter, SS Rafael Furcal, IF Nomar Garciaparra, LHP Tim Hamulack, OF Kenny Lofton, SS Ramon Martinez, 3B Bill Mueller, RHP Jae Seo, RHP Brett Tomko.
Losses: C Paul Bako, OF Milton Bradley, RHP Elmer Dessens, OF Jason Grabowski, RHP Edwin Jackson, IF Antonio Perez, C Jason Phillips, RHP Duaner Sanchez, RHP Steve Schmoll, 3B Jose Valentin.
Road to success: New-look Dodgers need quick course in chemistry with Garciaparra, Mueller and Furcal. Might be easier with Bradley taking his clubhouse disruptions elsewhere.
Under review: While team has been revamped, closer role was kept for Gagne, who missed last season after surgery. If he’s healthy, Dodgers could have enough to contend.
Mystery man: Garciaparra. Can he avoid injuries of last two seasons with Cubs? Can he play first base? Does he have anything left in his bat? All questions waiting for answers at important position.
Summing up: New GM Colletti brought Giants philosophy with him: Get veteran players (Garciaparra, Lofton and Tomko) and overspend ($13 million for Furcal). New manager Little has right attitude for molding team and Dodgers could contend but need at least 20 more victories.
ROCKIES
Last year: 67-95, 5th.
Manager: Clint Hurdle.
Cornerstones: 1B Todd Helton, RF Brad Hawpe, RHP Jason Jennings, RHP Jeff Francis.
Additions: LHP Jaime Cerda, LHP Ray King, RHP Jose Mesa, C Yorvit Torrealba, IF Josh Wilson.
Losses: OF Larry Bigbie, RHP Marcos Carvajal, C Todd Greene, RHP Dan Micelli, 2B Aaron Miles, RHP Bobby Seay.
Road to success: Long and bumpy ride. Very few off-season moves and those made were to shore up bullpen. Rockies were next-to-last in pitching and outscored by 122 runs.
Under review: GM Dan O’Dowd remains employed despite little improvement last few years. He keeps selling rebuilding program and Rockies’ young roster needs to start producing.
Mystery man: Closer Brian Fuentes was remarkable for half season, but can he do it for full season? And can Hawpe, injured in second half, turn into big production man in right field?
Summing up: Rockies’ hope is 30-28 record over final two months last year, but that was probably aberration. Another last-place finish appears almost certain until pitching gets better, if that’s possible at Coors.
