66 Responses to “M’s looking at USSM-endorsed candidates”

1. DAMellen on June 25th, 2008 6:59 pm

   So what’s the problem with DePodesta? I was looking at some of the stuff he did as a GM and it doesn’t look too bad. He signed JD Drew, Jeff Kent, and Derek Lowe who’ve all done pretty well. He dealt Paul Lo Duca and two mediocre players for Brad Penny and two mediocre players. Why are people so down on him?

2. booji on June 25th, 2008 7:04 pm

   [ot, and it’s Yamauchi]

3. Mike Honcho on June 25th, 2008 7:47 pm

   LaCava

4. Gerald on June 25th, 2008 8:25 pm

   This is a good first step. The more pressing matter is whether or not the new GM will be allowed a greater degree of autonomy than his predecessor. If we can get Howard and his cohorts to swear on a stack of Nintendo Powers that they’ll stop meddling in player personnel decisions, then we’ll know they’ve truly changed.

5. JMHawkins on June 25th, 2008 10:45 pm

   big enough for Willie to ride.

   What if he’s a St. Louie Redbird, Philly, or Cub by then? Do we fly him back as a special Grand Marshall?

   dismissing the media angle for a second, DePodesta did have problems within the organization that were legitimate failings from what you’d want out of a GM.

   Geez, if we could’ve had DePodesta in charge of talent evaluation while Bavasi handled the people management part of the job… Hey, they platoon outfielders, why not GMs. Well, too late for that. I don’t know enough details of DePo’s organizational foulups, but sometimes that stuff is the result of a lack of a skill which can be learned by a smart guy like DePo. And sometimes it’s the result of a lack of something that can’t be learned so easy. Hmmm. Does anyone know if DePo has any people management responsibilities the Pods right now?

6. beckya57 on June 25th, 2008 10:47 pm

   The feminist in me would love Kim Ng, but I’d be thrilled with Antonetti, of course, and I like DePodesta but do hope he’s learned from his problems in LA. Don’t know anything about Forst, but would like to. We won’t know if this represents a true change in direction until we see who else is on the list.

7. PositivePaul on June 25th, 2008 11:03 pm

   So, they’re looking at them eh? Probably looking at them in the context of “Hey — we have a couple of stat guys already, do we really need more?”

   Or it could be they’re indeed looking at them. And laughing at us. “We’d hire one of these folks? HAHAHAHAHAHA Rrrrriiiight…”

8. Omerta on June 25th, 2008 11:26 pm

   Yes please, on any of the four. Armstrong and Lincoln can go a long way in mending open wounds by hiring one of these fine canidates, all of whom seriously depart from Bavasi-isms in their technique.

9. Teej on June 26th, 2008 1:16 am

   If anyone wants to get at least a cursory glance at David Forst, check out the Q&A he did with Jonah Keri, ESPN writer, “friend of USSM” and editor of the BP “Baseball Between the Numbers” book. It’s a good read.

10. scottiedawg on June 26th, 2008 1:32 pm

    In a chat on Baseball Prospectus with Dayn Perry, when asked about the Mariner GM opening, offered Antonetti’s name as the one guy he liked the most and would most like to see get a shot. Let’s hope this engine gathers steam.

11. VictorB on June 26th, 2008 1:46 pm

    I think I would trust Gammons and his contacts when he says in his most recent blog that Antonetti (and Forst) isn’t coming.

12. msb on June 26th, 2008 1:54 pm

    I think I would trust Gammons and his contacts when he says in his most recent blog that Antonetti (and Forst) isn’t coming.

    I think most people feel that is the case, as they are so entrenched in their heir-apparent jobs. Doesn’t mean one can’t hope, or ask, though.

13. gwangung on June 26th, 2008 2:16 pm

    One should ask. And you can be somewhat persistent at it…But they shouldn’t be the sole targets…

14. Jeff Nye on June 26th, 2008 2:17 pm

    Why would you still trust Peter Gammons?

    He has good contacts, yes, but he says crazy things all the time.

15. avideo on June 27th, 2008 4:55 pm

    Well IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH SOME NEW VISION IN THE GM’s OFFICE. It can’t happen too soon in my opinion. As a half season ticket holder myself for the past three years, I have frankly lost my usually upbeat enthusiasm for the Mariners this season. As I never went to a Mariners game until 1992, I am unaware of how awful the team was prior to that date. But this year’s team has to qualify as one of the worst ever given their abysmal record.
    For whatever it’s worth, I just signed up for half season tickets for the Portland Trailblazers – and I’m not exactly a raving NBA basketball fan. But at least they have a serious shot at the playoffs this coming season.
    One can hope for the best after spring training in 2009!

16. Jeff Nye on June 28th, 2008 4:59 pm

    Reposted from another thread on behalf of justinh:

    Speaking of trades, doesn’t look like Forst will be making the moves for us.

    According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the A’s assistant general manager David Forst has turned down all interview requests. The feeling is that Forst is expected to take over for Billy Beane as Oakland GM as early as next season.

    It has been reported previously that Beane would like to test his Moneyball strategies in soccer. A’s owner Lewis Wolff also owns the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS and Beane may decide to focus his attention on the soccer franchise in ’09. It is unclear whether Beane will remain involved with the baseball operations.

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