If Andy MacPhail does not return as the President of Baseball Operations for the Baltimore Orioles, what are the best alternatives for the franchise moving forward?
On Friday we wrote ( https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=3013 ) why we think naming Showalter the GM would be a mistake.
We also said that we would prefer Showalter being named the GM, as opposed to him remaining the Manager, and effectively naming his own boss.
To me, the best possible option here is that MacPhail does not return and the O’s have a legitimate search for the most qualified 3rd party options. There are some interesting names in the listing Dan Connolly provided today (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/) in The Baltimore Sun. The names I would prefer, and names that I know to be interested in a job with Baltimore are not on that list though.
That said, I don’t see the O’s embarking on the wider search I would like to see.
I’m irritated by the rumors I’m hearing come from The Warehouse, but I’m willing to wait and see what officially happens before I voice my displeasure over conjecture alone.
It seems clear that MacPhail is deciding if he wants to stay on, at-least in some capacity. I was puzzled that there was not an official announcement of his future last week, and I’m further puzzled by the lack of an announcement so far today. The questions MacPhail is facing are fairly clear. Does he want to stay? Does he want to leave? Would he be willing to stay in a Consultant type of role to help Showalter transition to the Front Office? Again, MacPhail has had months to decide if he wanted to stay or go, so what is the delay?
This is how I rank the options seemingly available to the Orioles as of today:
1) The O’s say good-bye to MacPhail, and hire external from the organization, with Showalter not directly influencing the hire.
Why the best option? I believe this is the best option, because while competent – I believe the O’s can improve on MacPhail, and it avoids Showalter helping to hire his boss.
2) Baltimore retains MacPhail as GM / Director of Baseball Ops, with Showalter remaining in the dugout.
Why the 2nd best option? While I have doubts about MacPhail being skilled enough to overcome the financial resources of New York and Boston, or the brain power in-place in Tampa, and Toronto; I think his staying on has merits. The reason I rank this as the second best option for the O’s, is that I do believe MacPhail is competent, and roughly league average compared to just about everyone else. He has shown himself to be extremely shrewd with trades, and I also credit him for improving the O’s Spring Training situation. It would also keep Showalter in the dugout, and prevent further Coaching turnover.
3) Promote Showalter to GM, and move Randolph or Russell to Manager, with zero to minimal change on the existing Coaching staff.
Why the 3rd best option? Showalter ascending to the GM position, would likely see him being more decisive vs. MacPhail. I might not agree with his selected course of action, but I would rather see the O’s go all-in on one path (i.e. trying to contend) as opposed to either not taking the steps to improve the on-field product, nor committing to finishing the earlier rebuilding efforts. Promotion of Randolph or Russell without change to the existing Coaching staff would be better than a new staff for the second consecutive year.
4) Promote Showalter to GM, and allow MacPhail to stay on in a Consultant role, giving the O’s a near ‘Two GM’ scenario similar to what was in-effect with Flanagan/Beattie, and Flanagan/Duquette. Randolph or Russell are not named the Mgr, and the new Mgr. gets to name an entirely new Coaching staff.
Why the 4th best option? MacPhail staying on in a Consultant type capacity would give Showalter some additional guidance as worked in the Front Office for the first time. However, if that Consultant is required, that says something about Showalter’s current readiness for the position. How much power would MacPhail wield as a Consultant? If Showalter has the final call on things, is that a scenario which would work well? If the power was closer to equal between the two, what would be different vs. the dueling GM’s we previously saw? Not hiring Randolph or Russell, and letting the new Mgr. hire an entirely new Coaching staff would not be ideal.
5) Showalter stays in the dugout, but effectively picks his boss. The new GM arrives with his subordinate having helped name him, and he is forced to retain the existing Baseball Operations Department Heads.
Why the 5th best option? A scenario where Showalter picks his boss would be a flawed hiring. It would be made worse by that GM, being required (as a condition of hire) to keep the existing Department heads in-place. If a new GM comes into The Warehouse, they should have the opportunity to make the changes they deem fit.
6) Baltimore promotes John Stockstill from the head of Player Development to the GM position.
Why the 6th best option? Mr. John Stockstill has held a wide-range of positions with the Chicago Cubs, and with the O’s. Last year, Mr. Stockstill and his Brother switched roles, with John leaving the International Department to take over Player Development. Having taken over Player Development in March 2010, I do not believe enough progress in that department has taken place to warrant promotion to the General Manager. I directly know of candidates with superior resumes who are interested in working for Baltimore.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.