Probably a top 3 Gm in the game. Took Baltimore to the playoffs while in the same division as the Jays, with a payroll $25 mil smaller, despite season-long injuries to 2 of their top 3-4 players. Also runs a good farm.
But that's as GM and not President. Although this has the side-benefit of depriving the O's of a top GM.
I'd disagree with him being a top 3. GM's I'd rank ahead of him:
- Beane
Say what you want about his trades, but the man has made it to the playoffs with a limited budget. Heck when it looked like he was going nuts after the Donaldson trade he acquired Zobrist, still has pitching depth, and a roster that can still push for the wildcard.
- Saben
Sure the Zito signing was bad, but the dude has built a team that has won 3 of the last 5 world series, 2 in the last 3.
- Neal Huntington
The Pirates have made the playoffs after a long drought, signed Martin and was one of the best signings for a catcher in the past few years, built the team's farm and developed great players. Has built a team likely to be in the playoffs again the coming season with a great farm.
Wild Card: Freidman/Zaidi
I know Freidman is now President, but he and Zaidi (who was a A's executive under Beane) have made solid moves this offseason and with the budget the Dodgers have, its pretty unfair to a lot of other teams. They are starting to put a mark on the team and a little early to say but would Freidman still be a GM, would rank him ahead of DD.
On top, the team he's built, a lot of its key players were already built for him before he took the job.
I'd still rank him as a top 10 GM however. Ahead of AA whom, while making more exciting block buster trades, hasn't had as successful results.
Also ran across this interesting titbit:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/marcus-stroman-discovered-roy-halladays-sinker/
