Prospecting for Gold

On the surface, the General Manager's position in professional baseball seems glamorous, but behind the scenes, it's an extremely difficult and all-inclusive position. A GM is responsible for all decision-making aspects of a baseball franchise with the main goal of delivering a championship team to ownership. Some of those responsibilities include the following: the hiring and firing of coaching staff, player development, scouting, negotiating contracts, mediating player disputes, as well as being involved with the selling of tickets, television, radio sponsorships, and merchandise for the club. If all of this wasn't enough, a GM will represent an organization at league meetings, salary arbitration, negotiate with agents, prepare for amateur drafts, manage payroll, and comply with the rules of the collective bargaining agreement. A successful General Manager will serve as a bridge between the Chairman of the Board and the management staff. By expressing an overall vision and developing a team mission, the GM will show leadership; this attribute allows the GM to successfully identify team needs and provide solutions.

The General Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, Doug Melvin, stated that he doesn't interact with players as frequently as when he was an Assistant Scouting Director or Director of Player Development. Therefore, he feels that it's extremely important to trust an organization's scouts and player development personnel. In his current role, he shared that the hardest aspect of his position is addressing rumors associated with social media. Additionally, he acknowledged that dealing with player agents can sometimes be problematic. Mr. Melvin's philosophy is to be a strong draft and player development organization. Being a small-market club, the revenue generated for television is less than the large market teams. This creates more of a priority in maintaining a high fan base in Milwaukee. From a player standpoint, the Milwaukee General Manager looks for youth up the middle (SS, CF, C, P). His desire is to develop home-grown talent and be able to trade prospects for major league ready players. By accomplishing this, the Brewers can look to be competitive without risking payroll on high-priced free agents. Sometimes, there is a need for a free agent, but Melvin confirmed that the small-market team cannot be aggressive like large-market franchises. This overall mindset has led to some success for Brewers, but Doug Melvin feels the biggest challenge for a franchise is sustaining success.

Another baseball operations role that contributes to a successful club is player development.

The Assistant Director of Baseball Operations for the New York Yankees, Billy Hart, played college baseball at USC and was subsequently drafted by the Houston Astros in the 5th round of the 2005 draft. After five seasons, Billy was released and went back to school. After completing his MBA, Mr. Hart started his second career in baseball via the operations side. Some of his responsibilities include: player logistics for spring training, player placement, roster management, contract origination, and talent evaluation. During the season, Billy will go to each minor league affiliate before and after the All-Star break to evaluate players based upon performance and trade evaluation. In the off-season, the Assistant Director of Baseball Operations will work on free-agent contracts, manage department budgets, and conduct financial and statistical analysis. Also, Mr. Hart will go to amateur tournaments and compile a prospect analysis book. He takes the responsibility for putting together organizational structures aimed at player performance. 

For an on-the-field perspective, I spoke to the hitting coach of the AA Chattanooga Lookouts, Orv Franchuk. Orv was gracious enough to explain what a typical work day for him is like: review practice and game footage of players' at-bats, conduct specific player hitting drills, overhand toss, tee work, traditional batting practice, and charting hitters’ performance. Mr. Franchuk described today's player as being more refined, but the mental side of the game should be more of a focus at the minor league level. He suggested that mental makeup is what separates a AA player from a major league player. The Lookouts hitting instructor looks for a strong work ethic. Orv encourages players to work on a game plan before they come to the plate, for example, working on pitch selection, location, and various game situations. Orv said "A lot of AA players have the physical ability for the majors, but not the mental ability." Mr. Franchuk emphasized that the most important part of his job is to develop trusting relationships with his players. By encouraging players to be better communicators and staying open to suggestions, the players will adjust to expected failure as they progress to higher levels of ball. 

Continuing with the top-down approach, you must look at one of the most important aspects of a successful franchise: scouting. It's often said by various front office personnel that scouting is the "life-blood" of the game. These people find the talent and project a player's raw tools that hopefully will translate into big league skills. The scouting hierarchy is as follows: Associate Scout, Area Scout, Regional Supervisor, National Cross-Checker, Assistant Director of Scouting, and Director of Scouting. In most organizations, player information flows up the chain of command to the Director of Player Development or the General Manager. Additionally, Pro Scouts and Special Assignment Scouts might report directly to either Director or the General Manager. Regardless of your level or title, your main objective is to make an opinion based upon the players that you see. Scouts come in all shapes and sizes, some are former players, and some just started at the bottom and worked their way up. Credibility is established based upon your professionalism, ability to scout, and communicating your reports effectively.

 Hudson Belinsky, Associate Scout for the Tampa Bay Rays got his start by going to games and doing his own scouting reports. He started a blog and subsequently received an internship opportunity with Baseball Prospectus. On one occasion, Hudson travelled two hours to see a particular pitcher and his passion was recognized by a scout in attendance. This scout appreciated Hudson's initiative and recommended him. 

Bryan Hayes, Assistant Manager to Amateur Scouting Director for the New York Mets started as a bat boy  for the Norfolk Tides and subsequently became a student manager for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Based upon that experience, Bryan got a position with the San Diego Padres in the Community Relations department and was noticed by Paul Depodesta, VP of Scouting and Player Development, who brought him over to the New York Mets. Prior to the 2013 draft, Mr. Hayes was responsible for registering each player with an identification number and writing up a biography of those players. Currently, he's helping the organization prepare for the 2014 draft by reading all scouting reports, following up with area scouts, and making sure the scouting reports can be used effectively by the Director of Scouting. Once the 2014 draft is completed, Bryan will resume scouting duties and see players approximately two times per month. Mr. Hayes looks for tools, mental make-up, and body type to complete a player profile. By looking at potential prospects, Bryan makes a determination regarding the player's desire. Mr. Hayes stated, "The player could have all the talent, but you have to want it.”

RJ Carvis, Video Coordinator of Player Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers started as a Division III College Pitcher and eventually became a fall roster walk on for Arizona State University. While playing in the Coastal Plains League, RJ hurt his arm, which ended his baseball dreams as a player. After his playing career ended, Mr. Carvis was able to get a Spring training job with the Oakland Athletics in their stadium operations department and subsequently got an intern opportunity with the New York Mets media operations. RJ is currently assigned to a minor league affiliate within the Dodgers organization and he is responsible for video scouting reports on players. Mr. Carvis likes to look for little things when scouting players: for example, the difference between head movement and hand movements of hitters in warm-ups versus live game action. RJ stated, "The natural talents shine through when a player makes small adjustments.”

Taking all this information into consideration, I would like to make a personal assessment of the Atlanta Braves organization. The original Braves ball club was established in 1871 and has been in Atlanta since 1966. In 2017, they will relocate to a $672 million complex. From 1991-2005, the Atlanta Braves won fourteen consecutive division titles. In their history, they have won sixteen division titles, seventeen National League Pennants, and three World Series. They remain the only Major League Baseball franchise to win the World Series in three different cities. In 2013, the Braves were the National League East Champions with a record of 96-66. Their home attendance was approximately 2.6 million with an average of 31,000 fans per game and an average ticket price of approximately $17. According to Forbes Magazine, the franchise was valued at $629 million, with a 2013 payroll of approximately $90 million and revenue of approximately $225 million. In the last three years, the Braves have drafted and signed approximately 94 players. Out of the total, 49 have been pitchers, 12 outfielders, 10 catchers, and 8 shortstops. Additionally, only 13 were high-school players. It would appear that their drafting strategy follows the idea of being strong up the middle and having more seasoned prospects.

In regards to the structure and behavior of this team, the Braves strive for consistency. Whether it's in the draft, player development, front office, or on-the -field personnel, the Braves strive to hold onto their home grown talent and maintain strong leadership. With the most recent long-term signings of Craig Kimbrel, Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons, Julio Teheran, and contract extensions given to Frank Wren, General Manager, and Fredi Gonzalez, Manager, it is clearly evident that John Schuerholz, the President, as well as ownership, have a shared vision of continued success.

Regardless of all the smart front-office moves, nothing would be possible without the scouting department. The Director of Scouting, Tony Demacio, looks for players who "dance in the middle of the diamond”and subscribes to the "old school" ideology of finding players that "can't live without the game." Tony said, "They play the game the way it should be played, hard." Also, he adheres to the previous Scouting Director Paul Snyder's philosophy to build a club around pitching. In his opinion, the Atlanta Braves scouts have done a very good job of getting inside the home of potential prospects to find those high character players. By adhering to an honest, professional, and discreet approach, the scouting staff has been very successful over the years. Overall, this windfall of talent has resulted in raw prospects transitioning into Major League stars.

O Captain, Our Captain!

Unless you're living under a rock or currently in Russia, you now know that Derek Sanderson Jeter will be retiring from Major League Baseball after the 2014 season. This will surely leave a void in the hearts of many baseball fans across the world. Regardless of being a Yankee fan or not, one cannot deny the fact that Jeter has set an extraordinary example of how to play this game we still call "America's Pastime". Jeter has carried himself with dignity and displayed the utmost respect for his craft. The Yankee captain never seemed to take his talents for granted. This was clearly evident in the shortstop's consistent effort to improve his game despite past accolades and personal accomplishments. In Jeter's mind, a season would not be successful unless the Yankees were World Champions. This was not just lip service, Jeter expected to win and held himself and everyone around him to a higher standard. That's what a leader does. Instead of feeling dejected, let's reflect on a historic career of one of the games best ambassadors.

How many great thoughts come to mind when you look back on Derek Jeter's career? How many of those thrills have reminded you of certain milestones in your own life? Just like stitches keep a baseball intact, those euphoric feelings of "where you were" and "what happened"entwine themselves in the baseball memories that run through our heart. One can share the exciting Derek Jeter moments with future generations, creating increased passion for the game of  baseball. This is one of the reasons why we should celebrate a player like Jeter.

For those of you that aren't as emotional, but numbers driven, we can look at Jeter's career from a more statistical perspective. Jeter ranks #1 all-time in seven offensive categories for this storied franchise: Games Played (2,602), AB's (10,614), Plate Appearances (11,968), Hits (3,316), Singles (2,470), SB's (348), Times on Base (4,527). Additionally, he is ranked in the top five for: Doubles (525)/(2nd), Runs Scored (1,876)/(3rd), Total Bases (4,739)/(3rd), and top 10 for: RBI's (1,261)/(6th), AVG (.312)/(7th), HR's (256)/(9th). That's pretty impressive for a lanky, 6'3", 180 pound inside-out hitter. When you consider past great Yankee players that have donned the pinstripes, these statistical achievements become legendary.

For our skeptics that have questioned Jeter's place as one of the greatest players to ever play the game, we will take a peek at the sabermetrics. According to MLB Network Analyst, Brian Kenny who hosts "Clubhouse Confidential", Jeter's OWAR (Offensive Wins Above Replacement) numbers place him 2nd (94) on the All-Time list for shortstops. He trails only Honus Wagner (106.1) and ranks ahead of Cal Ripken (77.2), Arky Vaughn (70.9) and Luke Appling (70.3). His overall WAR (71.5) takes a hit when you factor in defense, but his RAA (Runs Above Average), ( 369.5) places him 3rd among "All-Time Shortstops", only trailing Wagner (704.7) and Vaughn (472).

Jeter's 3,316 hits puts him at the top of the class among shortstops and his .381 OBP/.446 SLG%/.828 OPS place him in the "elite" company of Wagner (.391 OBP/.467 SLG%/.858 OPS). If that wasn't enough, "Captain Clutch" has been beyond reproach on the grand stage of playoff baseball. Jeter's 200 hits, 111 runs, 61 RBI's, .308 AVG, .374 OBP, .465 SLG%, and .838 OPS over the course of 158 postseason games has only added to the mystique of our "Mr. November".

So, let's all reminisce and bask in the reflected glory of a wonderful baseball career and revel in Derek Jeter's final farewell season. Who knows, maybe some of those "Yankee Ghosts" will appear in October and give him that one last farewell present, a World Series trophy.

Overvalued Asset: Is Josh Hamilton Overrated?

It does not feel good to single out any Major League player and question their individual value, but baseball has become more of a business than a club. Following that line of reasoning, salary should be commensurate with production. This has not been the case for one of the biggest free agent signings of 2013. 

Josh Hamilton of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed a five year deal for $125 million dollars. That averages out to $25 million dollars per year. Keep in mind that the average salary for an Angel player is approximately $4.8 million per year and the average salary for a Major League Outfielder is approximately $3.8 million per year. 
I’m sure the Angel franchise was hoping for Hamilton’s offensive production to be on par with his time spent as a Texas Ranger. If Hamilton’s 2013 statistics are any indication of the next four years, Josh Hamilton will be extremely overvalued as a player. 

Currently, Josh Hamilton ranks as the twenty-third highest paid player in all of baseball. Hamilton’s OPS (.641) as an Outfielder for 2013 has him rated last in the Major Leagues for all position players with at least 251 at bats. That’s a very disturbing statistic. Another glaring disparity is the 2013 WAR and salary comparison between Hamilton, $17 million salary, 1.5 WAR versus fellow Outfield teammate, Mike Trout, $510,000 salary, 9.2 WAR. Additionally, Josh Hamilton posted average career lows in every major offensive category. In 2014, he will be due another $17 million for his age thirty-three season. At this point, Hamilton will be four years removed from his break-out MVP season in which he posted a 1.044 OPS and 8.9 WAR. 

Can he reclaim that 2010 form? Unfortunately, age and history are not on his side. Hopefully, 2013 was an aberration and Hamilton can finally settle into California living. Obviously, one must consider the human factor of nagging injuries and Hamilton trying to break the tobacco habit. 

Regardless, the club had a losing season in 2013, going 78-84, with average attendance and television ratings dropping slightly. This was not what Angel ownership expected from this team and it’s high-priced free agent.

Blue-chip Prospect: Can Rob Kaminsky Make It To The Show?

A pitching prospect that I want to evaluate is the 2013 first round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals, Rob Kaminsky. This former St. Joseph’s High School Senior was the 28th overall pick in last year’s draft. The young pitcher turned down a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina to sign with the Cardinals at a signing bonus of $1,785,300. This past season, the eighteen-year old Kaminsky pitched in the Gulf Coast League and posted the following numbers: 

8 GS, 0-3, 3.68 ERA, 22 IP, 23 H, 9 ER, 28 K, 9 BB 

This small sampling shows that Kaminsky seems to have swing-and-miss stuff. If you take a look at his scouting reports, you will notice the following physical description: long arms, broad shoulders, thick build, athletic and durable. His abilities are described as such: good command of Fastball (91-92) and secondary pitches. Solid curve (76-79) with ++ potential, 11-5 action, plenty of rotation, thrown for strikes. Clean and simple mechanics. Hides the ball well. Good arm action that’s maintained with secondary pitches. 

The six foot, 190-pound lefty has been compared to Mark Mulder and projects to be a serviceable 2nd or 3rd starter at the major league level if he can develop his change-up. Some scouts that followed up on him this past summer have stated that he is aggressive on the mound and controls the tempo of the game. In his short career, he has already started to mature in professional baseball and has adjusted well to the Cardinals player development philosophy. 

Kaminsky is considered to be extremely valuable to the St. Louis Cardinals franchise because while solid pitching is rare, rarer still is left-handed pitching. If you follow the Cardinal blueprint, you know that they pride themselves on developing a strong stable of pitching prospects. On the surface, this seems like a perfect match, but only time will tell if if this prospect can continue along the path to the big leagues.

New Stat: RIPA%

A valuable statistic is runs. If your team has more runs than the other team at the end of nine innings, you win the game. It doesn’t matter how the runs are created, but the fact they count on the scoreboard. So my statistical analysis is very simple: it’s called RIPA % (Runs in Plate Appearances percentage). You take the total amount of runs that a player scores and divide that number by the total amount of plate appearances that the player has. Obviously, the players with the higher percentages would be considered better run producers. This stat is valuable because you can structure your batting order based upon the players that have the highest RIPA %. In essence, you would want to get those players more at-bats over the course of the season. Additionally, as a Manager, you could use this stat as an additional component in any late inning strategies that you might want to implement. A pinch hitter with a better RIPA % could be the difference in a close ballgame.

Pure Hitter: "Vottomatic" Joey Votto vs Pure Power: "Big Donkey" Adam Dunn

One of the established Major League players in my meeting the criteria of “pure hitter” would be Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. The Canadian-born player has adjusted very well to “America’s Pastime”. Votto is currently the active career leader in On Base % at .419. Also, “VottoMatic” places third among active career leaders in OPS at a .960 clip, which only trails Miguel Cabrera (.967) and Albert Pujols (1.008). 

So what makes this talented 1st Baseman a pure hitter? Well, he has a great understanding of the strike zone and is able to maintain tremendous balance throughout his swing. No matter where the ball is pitched, Votto can adjust his hands and bat plane to make consistent contact. The smooth transfer of weight from back leg and shoulder to the front side allows him to barrel up the ball on a regular basis. 

In 2013, Votto led the majors in pitches seen with 3033. He abstained from 61.1 percent of them. This equated to 4.18 pitches per plate appearance. These statistics placed Votto in the top 10 of all players within these categories. Additionally, Votto was patient enough to wait for his preferred pitch: “the heater”. Joey Votto’s OPS against Fastballs in 2013 was 1.024 which only trailed Cabrera (1.084), Choo (1.066), and Goldschmidt (1.043). 

Because of these advanced skills, Votto can be more selective at the plate and force the pitcher to work harder. This patient approach works to the advantage of the pure hitter by creating a defensive mind set in the pitcher. 

Now, the pitcher is frustrated and rattled. What’s next? Well, here comes the big dog and he wants to eat. 

My big dog power hitter is Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox. The “Big Donkey” in my estimation truly swings from the heels. For the most part, he either exploits the pitcher’s weaknesses by hitting a mammoth shot or spins himself into a corkscrew. In my opinion, this visually defines a quintessential power bat. Dunn consistently puts up strong power numbers and provides protection for other hitters in the line-up. Even though Adam Dunn’s production numbers are not consistent like a Votto, he provides an important function for a ball club. 

Dunn stuck out 189 times in 2013, hit 34 home runs, and walked 76 times. Dunn’s swing/miss percentage might be 31.3%, but his home run ratio to at bats is 14.7 for his career which only trails Ryan Howard (14.0) among all active players. 

Another interesting stat that speaks to power hitters is Secondary Average. This stat was first devised by Bill James and is documented in his annual handbook. The number reflects a player who hits for power, takes walks and steals bases. Granted, Dunn is not a speed demon, but he hits a lot of home runs and gets walked a great deal. Adam Dunn’s secondary average is .459 making him #1 for all active players in the Majors. 

Over the course of his thirteen-year career, Adam Dunn has amassed 440 home runs, 2220 strikeouts, and 1246 walks placing him in the top five of active leaders within those categories. Like they say, “There are only two sure things in life: death and taxes”. Well, in Adam Dunn’s case, there are three: hit bombs, create tradewinds, or trot to first. 

Both types of players are equally important when you’re trying to put together a strong offensive team. The different styles are necessary to be a well-balanced threat in today’s game. The combination of finesse and raw power can be lethal. The pure hitter will be more fluid in his approach at the plate, taking more pitches and hitting to all fields. The power hitter will be more aggressive and hit with reckless abandon by trying to hit the cover off the ball. 

Even though both types of hitters are necessary, raw power is rare. This tool from a scouting perspective is highly sought after, but hard to find. Finding a player of this magnitude can change the outcome of a game with one swing of the bat. The fear factor alone can have a devastating effect on an opposing pitching staff. Like Earl Weaver would say, “The easiest way around the bases is with one swing of the bat”.

Undervalued Asset: Allen Craig

A current Major League Player that is undervalued is Allen Craig of the St. Louis Cardinals. Allen Craig made $1,750,000 in 2013, which was his age 28 season. In 2014, Craig will make $2,750,000, and $5,500,000 in 2015 at age 30. Allen Craig has played most positions at the professional level with the exception of Pitcher, Catcher, and Shortstop. This Cardinal had most recently played Outfield and 1st Base in 2013, but it is uncertain what position Craig will play in 2014. 

If you consider the escalating salaries for other Major League players at those positions, Craig’s salary is an incredible bargain. If you want to talk about bang for your buck, one can make a compelling argument for this player. Over four years, Craig has averaged 562 at bats, 84 runs, 172 hits, 37 doubles, 22 home runs, .306 AVG, .358 OBP, .492 Slg % and an .850 OPS per season. In addition, Allen Craig was named to his first All-Star Game in 2013. 

Some other statistics of interest are the 1st Baseman’s outrageous batting average with RISP (.454) and bases loaded (.700). Craig outpaced Miguel Cabrera by 54 points regarding average with RISP. These impressive numbers were good for 1st and 3rd place respectively in all of baseball for the 2013 season. 

Overall, Allen Craig’s tremendous all-out effort, regardless of where he plays in the field, combined with his clutch offensive production makes him a Cardinal fan-favorite.

Baby Tiger: Nick Castellanos

A prospect that embodies the definition of a “pure hitter” is Nick Castellanos of the Detroit Tigers organization. Castellanos was drafted as the 44th pick in the 1st round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Over the last four seasons, this young Tiger cub has competed at every level within the club’s system, culminating in an eleven game September call-up in 2013. The 6’4”, 220 pound Third Baseman posted the following numbers over 410 games: .303 Avg, .359 OBP, .445 Slg %, .804 OPS, 485 hits, 223 runs, 212 runs, and 107 doubles. 

Nick Castellanos has been described as a “natural hitter” by some scouts, as well as a middle of the order presence. Additionally, he has been projected as an “elite-level” hitter that can be a franchise cornerstone for an organization. Apparently, the frequently overused cliche of “different sound” when describing what’s heard when Castellanos’s bat hits a baseball is not an exaggeration. The ball explodes off his bat and he demonstrates the potential for out-of-the-park power, especially to right-center field. 

The “natural hitter” tag is based upon the fact that Castellanos has outstanding hitting mechanics and exceptional bat speed. It’s been said that he exhibits uncanny hand/eye coordination and displays outstanding plate coverage. Some of the contributing factors are quiet hands and a balanced set-up. Because of these attributes, Castellanos has been able to reach pitches that are in/out of the strike zone and drive balls to all fields. By letting the baseball travel deep, Castellanos can decide late when swinging at a particular pitch. 

Currently, Nick Castellanos is projected to be a valuable commodity for the 2014 Detroit Tigers. With the exodus of Prince Fielder, movement across the diamond for Miguel Cabrera, and the solidification of Ian Kinsler at Second Base, the Tigers seem ready for the official debut of this 1st rounder at Third Base. 

Overall, this seems like a great move for the Tiger franchise. By allowing Cabrera to stay in the field at a less demanding position and having a proven player in Kinsler, the Tigers can promote Castellanos and let the kid hit. As long as Castellanos can refine his strike zone discipline and pitch recognition ability, we might bear witness to the evolution of a truly special offensive player.

King Fish In Anaheim

The outfielder with the most upside potential is the “Kingfish of Anaheim”, Mike Trout. 2014 will be Trout’s third full season in Major League Baseball and, in all probability, will result in the 1st MVP award of his career. Numbers don’t lie, and if you’ve seen Mike Trout play, you would know that he’s proven himself to be a 5-tool player. His overall potential numerically translates to roughly a 65-70, which would categorize him as a “well above average” major league player. Some of the scouting terminology that has been used to describe Mike Trout is as follows: “very patient approach”, “has fantastic strike zone awareness and pitch recognition for a younger player”, “has plus power to all fields”, “elite level speed, capable of stealing a base off any pitcher at any time”, “has incredible range in all directions”, “gets great reads off bat and has quick first step”, “a fullback body with great athleticism”, “a once in a lifetime talent”. Comments made by scouts in the past include: “Maybe this is what Mickey Mantle looked like at 18!”, “My only prototype for him is Rickey Henderson.” 

The traditional, as well as sabermetric statistics of the 22 year old Mike Trout have been outstanding. If you compare “old school” versus “new school” analysis, you’ll discover that he is among the leaders in both styles. For example, Mike Trout’s league leading 40 Win Shares topped Miguel Cabrera for the second straight season according to Bill James. Trout was also awarded a “Fielding Bible” award in 2012. During that season, the Anaheim outfielder robbed four home runs and his current plus/minus three year average for Center Fielders is +31. This average is a measure to evaluate defensive range. Additionally, Trout was among the top five AL leaders for 2013 in the following categories: Avg (.323), OBP (.432), SLG (.557), Hits (190), Triples (9), Runs Scored (109), Walks (110), Total Bases (328), and OPS (.989). Even though Trout ranked 8th in stolen bases with 33, his base running skills were far superior. Bill James lists Mike Trout with a +49 net gain in 2013. This statistic includes such measurements as moving from 1st to 3rd, 2nd to Home and 1st to Home on a hit. His overall percentages were substantially higher than the 12 year MLB average. If that wasn’t enough, Trout had the longest average home run (420 ft.) among all MLB players with at least 10 home runs in 2013. 

In terms of park adjusted/rate stat basis, Mike Trout was considered the best hitter in baseball for 2012 by creating 66 percent more runs than the average hitter and increased that rate to 77 percent more runs in 2013. Also, Trout ranks #1 over the last two seasons in Win Above Replacement value. He posted a 10.9 (WAR) in 2012 and a 9.2 (WAR) in 2013. Finally, Mike Trout’s Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) was the highest in Major League Baseball in 2013 at 93.8. 

Regardless of the current statistical measures that show Mike Trout’s tremendous value, the player must be judged based upon how he plays the game. This New Jersey native has all the talent and desire to be one of the all-time greats.

First Round Pirate

An Outfield prospect with major league potential for the Bucs is Austin Meadows. This high school Center fielder was drafted in the 1st round of the 2013 Amateur draft. The 18-year old player finished his amateur career playing for Grayson High School in Georgia and received a college commitment to play for Clemson. However, the left-handed hitter was the 9th overall pick in the draft and was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Austin Meadows has been compared to Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds, and Colby Rasmus of the Toronto Blue Jays. Some of the scouting grades that he has received are: 35/55 hitting, 45/60 power, 60/60 speed, 50/60 defense, and 50/50 arm. The hitting and power components show the widest range due to Meadow’s lack of strength. As a hitter, his bat path is flat which creates more gap hitting as opposed to over the fence power. Even though Meadow’s exhibits a disciplined plate approach, his swing can be stiff and sometimes lacks explosiveness. The young man’s speed is above average and he’s referred to as a glider with good base running instincts. Defensively, Meadows is considered athletic but not physical. This 6’3”, 215-pound rookie has an accurate arm with a long clean action. 

Overall, his future projection equates to an above-average regular with occasional All-Star potential. Currently, his five tools are relatively raw, but one has to remember that he just recently graduated high school. This prospect still has more time to grow and acclimate himself to the world of professional baseball.

Andrelton Simmons

The most talented infielder currently in all of Major League Baseball is the Shortstop for the Atlanta Braves. His God-given name is Andrelton Simmons, but it should be “Hoover” because his glove is like a vacuum. I don’t believe I’ve witnessed any ball that was even remotely close get past him. Watch highlights of him; you’ll see the ball hit to Simmons’s left or right and the camera will pan to the 2nd Baseman or 3rd Baseman, but who comes out of nowhere to make the play? That’s right, “The Curacao Comet”! 

Andrelton Simmons was drafted out of Western Oklahoma Junior College in the second round of the 2010 draft by the Atlanta Braves. He made his professional debut on June 2, 2012 and made a huge impact for his club. The young Braves Shortstop committed only three errors in 158 attempts over the course of 49 games and had a favorable WAR of 2.9. His solid play was good for a .987 fielding percentage. This stellar defense contributed to a Braves team that advanced to a Wild Card elimination game. The 2012 flash of leather was not just a flash in the pan. Simmons had a complete break out year defensively in 2013. He played in 156 games at Shortstop. Over the course of 1,352 innings, Simmons made only 14 errors in 753 chances and posted the following numbers: 240 put-outs, 499 assists, 94 double plays and a .981 fielding percentage. These spectacular numbers were good enough for Gold Glove honors and a defensive WAR of 5.4. Additionally, Bill James rated Andrelton Simmons as the top Shortstop in all of baseball for 2013 and honored him with the Fielding Bible award. This award was bestowed upon him for his defensive range. Turning fly balls and grounders into outs more frequently than other Shortstops gave him a plus 49 rating compared to the next-best Shortstop at plus 17. Also, he saved 41 runs from scoring. The next-best Shortstop saved only 12. 

Some might say that numbers don’t lie, but as Branch Rickey used to say “Seeing is believing”. Andrelton Simmons’s throwing arm has incredible carry and accuracy. Whether it’s deep in the hole, back-handed, bare-handed, back-sided, or even from shallow outfield, arm strength and athleticism allow Simmons to make a play almost anywhere on the diamond. Also, the shortstop benefits from the ability to be extremely quick with his first step and always seems to anticipate the play. These pre-pitch movements allow him to set his feet quickly when moving forward, laterally, or vertically. The tremendous foot speed that he possesses creates more balance with his body and subsequently cover more territory on the field. 

Overall, I have not seen an infielder, especially a Shortstop make as many spectacular plays in one season than Andrelton Simmons. In my opinion, he has all the defensive tools to be a perennial Gold Glove winner for years to come.

OMG! They Traded The AL ROY!

Recent trades that interest me are James Shields, Wade Davis and an unnamed player from the Tampa Bay Rays for Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery, and Patrick Leonard from the Kansas City Royals. This trade occurred on December 9th, 2012. The unnamed player was revealed to be Elliot Johnson and was officially sent on February 12th, 2013 by the Royals to complete the trade. 

The salary breakdown for the Royals is as follows: James Shields, $9 million for 2013 and a $12 million dollar option for 2014 with a $1 million buyout. Wade Davis, $2.8 million for 2013, $4.8 million for 2014, and options for 2015 - $7 million, 2016 - $8 million, 2017 - $10 million. Elliot Johnson made $520,500 for 2013 and was subsequently released on August 21, 2013. That’s approximately $55.1 million in contracts provided all options are taken by the Royals. For the Tampa Bay Rays: Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery, and Patrick Leonard are making league minimum based upon their various professional levels. 

The marketing implications vary based upon who you speak to on either side of the trade. The Royals had $36 million dollars in brand revenue versus $31 million for the Rays. It’s hard to say if the additional $5 million in merchandising revenue for the Royals can be attributed to the trade, but an evaluation by Forbes Magazine Online states that, on average, each Royals fan spends $39 per game as opposed to $29 for Rays fans. 

Ticket sales are as follows: $38 million for the Royals with a $22 average ticket price which included a $1 increase for 2013 and $32 million for the Rays with a $20 average ticket price. In total, the Royals had approximately 240,000 more fans than the Rays in 2013. Regardless of these slight differences, the trade does not seem to be the cause. 

Both franchises have struggled, for different reasons, to provide a quality fan experience. The Royals, mainly for lack of a winning product, and the Rays for a dilapidated facility coupled with alternative entertainment options for fans in the Tampa-St. Pete area. 

As far as the type of players associated with this trade, the Royals received an established right-handed pitching talent in James Shields with the compliment of Wade Davis to serve the role of starter and reliever. The Rays received future talent to be nurtured within their system. The Royals had a successful season by winning 14 more games than they did in 2012 with a record of 86-76. Yet they still finished 3rd and failed to make the playoffs. Conversely, the Rays won two more games than they did in 2012 with a record of 92-71. This was good enough for 2nd place in the A.L. East and earned the club a Wild Card game and subsequently a A.L.D.S. opportunity. 

Did these players contribute to the Win-Loss records of their respective clubs? According to Baseball Reference, the 2013 WAR values for those traded players that contributed to their respective club’s win totals are as follows: Shields 4.1 WAR, 
Davis -2.1 WAR, Elliot Johnson 0.9 WAR, Myers 2.0 WAR, and Odorizzi 0.3 WAR. Interestingly, Myers WAR total of 2 is equal to the number of additional wins the club had in 2013 over 2012. One could suggest that Wil Myers 2 wins above replacement value allowed the Rays to compete in an elimination Wild Card game as opposed to the Texas Rangers who finished the season with 91 wins. 

The Royals and Rays negotiated this trade for different reasons. The Kansas City General Manager, Dayton Moore, said, “It’s not easy giving up prospects...It’s time for us to start winning at the Major League level and we have to use all our resources. Our farm system is certainly one of them”. The Rays Executive V.P. of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman said, “We’re constantly working to balance the present and the future, and always trying to thread the needle...As an organization we rely more on the contributions of young players basically than anyone else in baseball, and with this trade we’re hoping to replenish our system and add a lot of players we feel can help us sustain this run of success that we’ve had for the last five years”. 

I believe that both organizations achieved their short term goals regarding this particular trade but only the Rays seem like they will benefit long term. Here’s why; the key players, namely Shields and Myers, contributed to their respective clubs. James Shields went 13-9 in 34 games, posting a 3.15 E.R.A. with 196 K’s over 228+ innings. Wil Myers batted .293 over 88 games with 98 hits, 13 HR’s and 53 RBI’s. These stats earned Myers Rookie of the Year honors. Even though both players contributed, the trade seems lopsided in hindsight. I say this because Shields is a free agent after this season and Kansas City might be unwilling to or incapable of signing him. As far as Davis is concerned, those future option years might not be worth the money. Also, the Royals still need more parts to make the playoffs, let alone get to their first World Series in almost 30 years. The “we need to win now” approach might backfire and sting even more if Myers continues to grow and establish himself as the next Tampa Bay Rays “franchise player”.

How About Those Redbirds?

One of the front offices that I most admire is that of the St. Louis Cardinals. There are not many teams that can lose a future Hall of Fame franchise player to free agency in one year, make it to the championship series in the next and make it to the World Series two seasons later. Over the last ten seasons, the St. Louis Cardinals have been to the World Series four times, winning two titles and advancing to the Championship Series on two other occasions. The Cardinals overall record during this period is 904-715. Historically, the Cardinals have the most championship teams on the senior circuit with eleven. The only team in all of Major League Baseball with more World Championship clubs would be those “hated” Yankees. 

John Mozeliak, the current General Manager, has followed in the foot steps of Branch Rickey who was the very first St. Louis Cardinals General Manager. Mr. Mozeliak has been an astute baseball executive by recognizing opportunities in the open market. The front office staff have effectively drafted prospects like Matt Carpenter, Shelby Miller, Lance Lynn, and Matt Adams whose abilities have translated well at the Major League level. Additionally, acquiring free agents like David Freese, Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman, and Carlos Beltran have helped put the Cardinals over the top. This favorable balance has been their key to success. Because of this, the franchise consistently maintains a favorable payroll without sacrificing quality on the field. 

The St. Louis Cardinals payroll sits at just under $103 million, which puts them roughly in the middle of the pack. They’re number 14 out of 30 clubs with a payroll that’s approximately 1/2 the payroll of the New York Yankees. The Los Angeles Dodgers still have the highest payroll, which is in excess of $220 million. With an approximate team value of $716 million versus the Dodgers at $1.6 billion, the Cardinals revenue of $239 million only slightly trailed the Dodgers at $245 million. So, as Patrick Rische from Forbes magazine stated in October of 2013, the Cardinals are “Baseball’s Little Engine that Could”. 

Not only do the St. Louis Cardinals have one of the nicest-looking facilities in all of Major League Baseball, but it’s energy efficient as well. In 2012, the Cardinals installed 106 solar panels producing 32,000 kilowatt hours of energy. The team has cut energy use by 20% and water use by 10% since opening in 2006. 

In closing, I would like to share some thoughts on the public image of the St. Louis Cardinals. The organization seems like a class operation from the top down. Over the years, the franchise had been very fortunate to have Stan Musial represent that image and set the example with dignity and reserve. The fan base is extremely loyal to the Redbirds and they show tremendous respect for the game and it’s players. Just sit back, turn the radio on, imagine listening to the voice of the late Jack Buck and you’ll be transcended back in time. “Go crazy folks! Go crazy!”

Carolina On My Mind (A New Team For Summerville)

A great city for a Major League team is Summerville, South Carolina. This area is conveniently located between Charleston, South Carolina, (population 125,583) home of the Charleston River Dogs, the single A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Columbia, South Carolina, (population 131,686) home of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina has a rich baseball tradition dating back to 1886. One of the first great stars of the game, “Shoeless Joe” Jackson emerged from Pickens County, South Carolina. 

Summerville, South Carolina is located within the county of Dorchester, with a population of approximately 142,496 that has grown by 61% since 2000. The median household income is approximately $51,849, roughly 2% above the national average. Approximately 48% have a household income between $50,000 and $150,000 and the area predicts a future employment growth of approximately 33%. This is reinforced by a large youthful labor force suggesting strong disposable spending going forward. Additionally, nearby Kiawah Island has a median household income of $170,000 and the shore community of Mt. Pleasant has a MHI of approximately $90,000. 

Five of the ten largest employers are within an hour’s drive to Summerville, including regional medical centers, BMW Manufacturing Plant, Boeing International, and two United States Air Force bases. This allows opportunity to encourage partnerships, sponsorships and national community outreach to garner additional fans outside the existing baseball fanatics who currently reside in the state. Additionally, there are a number of top universities, including The Citadel, The College of Charleston, University of South Carolina and Clemson, whose students and faculty would be attracted to a new professional team. 

There is convenient access by air via Charleston airport, Amtrak, and Interstate 95. The combination of southern charm, hospitality, lower business costs, including available land sites, make Summerville an attractive small-town option. Additionally, with the close proximity to the Port of Charleston business district, many national cultural events take place during the year. By offering a new stadium as a host for these events, additional revenue would be created during, as well as outside of, the baseball season. These additional streams of revenue can be in the form of rentals and concessions, but most importantly, the building of brand recognition for this new team and its stadium. 

The in-season baseball weather in Summerville ranges from a an average low of approximately 66 degrees to an average high of approximately 84 degrees. On average, there are 200 sunny days per year. This coupled with limited rainfall throughout the baseball season make the baseball playing and watching more enjoyable. 

In terms of the political landscape, I am unable to speculate on any previous or future plans concerning a future site for a Major League Baseball franchise. I will say this: the small town community of Summerville, South Carolina with the nearby access to the Port of Charleston makes this proposal extremely compelling. 

In addition to my previously stated facts, I studied some of the demographics concerning current baseball fans. One of the internet stories that I came across resonated with me. This past April, Pam Allison posted on www.smartblog.com a story called, “Where are America’s baseball fans?”. In her story, she refers to the 7.5 billion in revenue generated by Major League Baseball in 2012. Ms. Allison refers to a company named ESRI that is an international supplier of geographic information system software. ESRI developed what they refer to as a “Tapestry Segmentation System”. This system classifies residential neighborhoods in the United States and these neighborhoods are broken down into 65 segments based on socioeconomics and demographics. Within these segments, Ms. Allison describes the following residential subclasses: Boomburbs, Dorms to Diplomas, Military Proximity, and Wealthy Seaboard Suburbs. The system suggests that these residential subclasses are “nearly twice as likely to attend baseball games”. Provided this information is accurate, Summerville, South Carolina is a great location for an expansion club. 

Ok, now the fun part. Some of the aspects of other Major League Stadiums that I would like to incorporate in my imaginary park would be: a statue of “Shoeless Joe” Jackson recognizing his contribution to the game, various places through out the stadium commemorating the game via a baseball timeline, exterior brick facing, a clock in the shape of a baseball above the scoreboard in center field, the ability to walk around the entire stadium from any level, a steel bridge walkway connecting LF to RF with various fan-friendly game stations. For example, a mini-field where you can hit Wiffle balls, a baseball dunk tank where you can dunk the team mascot, a combo batting cage/ radar gun tunnel. One last thing that I don’t believe exists in any current park would be a simulation tunnel with footage of famous pitcher/hitter matchups or classic games that enable the fan to choose between being the pitcher or hitter.

Citi Field

Over the last few years, New York has been the beneficiary of two brand-new ballparks. Citi Field in Flushing, New York, is the most recent and in my opinion, the nicest of the two. For those of you who have not been to this new park, all I can say is: “WOW”. Citi Field has modern amenities combined with a nostalgic look that offers the consumer dynamic entertainment and culinary delight. The aesthetics are amazing. Whether it be the “Ebbets Field” style brick facade, the life accomplishments listed within the “Jackie Robinson Rotunda” or the “Shea” walking bridge, you’ll experience a connection with the past. 

Citi Field’s inaugural season was 2009. On April 13th, the Mets hosted the Padres in front of an Opening Day crowd in excess of 41,000 fans. Citi Field holds approximately 15,000 fewer fans than the team’s previous home, so the surroundings are more intimate. The approximate cost was $850 million dollars and funded by the sale of New York City municipal bonds. 

Even though the opening of Citi Field showed tremendous promise for a team hoping to make a big leap, the numbers do not suggest success. The team was 89-73 in 2008 at the old Shea Stadium with attendance of approximately 4 million. In 2009, overall revenue was approximately $180 million, with an average of 39,000 fans per game and $99.3 million in ticket sales. Advertising sponsorships equated to approximately $47 million and suite sales sold out at approximately $16 million. The team finished the 2009 season at 70-92. Over the next four seasons, the team has averaged 76 wins and attendance has dropped by approximately 1 million fans. Additionally, overall revenue continued to decline each year and was approximately $119 million in 2013. Ticket sale revenue was cut in half by the forth year and the average attendance shrunk to approximately 18,000 fans per game. Suite sales and advertising sponsorships diminished as well. 2012 figures reveal suite sales at approximately $7.5 million and advertising sponsorships at $44 million. 

So, why are the Mets less-than-amazing right now? In a perfect world, you would think a team with a new stadium and a big market would hit a home run; the “honeymoon” glow should shine for a few years regardless of team success. Well, not exactly. It flickered out like a candle in the wind. Not just any wind. It was the perfect storm. The financial catastrophe associated with Bernie Madoff coupled with multiple losing seasons tarnished that “Big Apple”. The Wilpon’s took a bite, but couldn’t pay for it. The team has been cash strapped, causing a ripple effect throughout the organization. Bad personnel decisions coupled with bad investments have created an unbearable hardship. This hardship has affected the quality of baseball in Queens. In today’s modern game, it appears that a direct correlation exists between a competitive franchise and the overall economics behind it.

Potential Post-2014 Free Agent Signing

I'm trying to focus on the needs of other teams outside of New York, but it's extremely difficult to not play "junior GM" for the Yankees and attempt to plug some glaring holes. With that said, I'll focus on one of the positions that will, in all probability, be vacated. I don't have the heart to say goodbye to the Captain, but I can say goodbye to our controversial third baseman. Since MLB upheld the suspension of Alex Rodriguez, the team will be in need of a third baseman. At this point, the Yankees do not have any Major League-ready talent for that position. So, the Yankees can either suffer through another year with a subpar performance from Eduardo Nunez or sign a quality free agent. My choice would be Chase Headley who currently plays for the San Diego Padres. 

Chase Headley's contract expires at the end of the 2014 season and he'll be looking for a new home with all the trimmings. Don't get me wrong, you can't beat the climate of Southern California, but the $$$ and championships will also keep you cozy. It wasn't too long ago that the Yanks made a smart free agent move and signed Scott Brosius. That signing was a key component in their late 90's championship run. 

Headley hits from both sides of the plate and his power numbers would be enhanced within a more hitter- friendly park. Defensively, he's solid and has averaged 138 games the last 5 years since becoming a full time player. At 30 years old, Headley is still young enough to give the Yankee franchise some much needed stability at the hot corner. A 4 year deal at $15 million per with a 5th year option for steady defensive play and switch hitting power could fit right with the team's future plans. 

Some of the other potential suitors for Chase Headley would be his current team, the San Diego Padres, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The Padres ownership would probably like to avoid arbitration and sign Chase Headley to a longer term deal similar to David Wright and Evan Longoria. Even though Headley supposedly turned down an offer of a five to eight year contract at approximately $15 million per year, the team would still be interested in keeping him as their marque player. The new ownership would like to show the fan base that they are seriously interested in providing a competitive team. 

The Dodgers new ownership has shown that they are committed to spending on talent and would like to continue making steps toward regaining the lost market share in Southern California. Even though the club has resigned Juan Uribe until 2015, the Dodgers still need an everyday third baseman to compliment their other power corner position. With the possibility of Hanley Ramirez testing the free agent market in 2015, anything is possible. I wouldn't be surprised if the Dodgers continue to go for broke, sign both and regain that "Dodger Blue" luster. 

My overall opinion is that the Yankees will go after Chase Headley aggressively, especially if he bounces back from his disappointing 2013 season. They will have stiff competition, but in all likelihood they will overpay to secure the third baseman long-term.

Current General Managers And How They Got Their Start

The baseball General Managers that I decided to find out more about are Dan Duquette with the Baltimore Orioles; Theo Epstein with the Chicago Cubs; Dave Dombrowski of the Detroit Tigers; Jeff Luhnow of the Houston Astros, and Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletics. 

Dan Duquette received his start in the game by getting an assistant scouting position with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1980 after the GM of the team, Harry Dalton, saw his letter seeking employment. Mr. Dalton was a former alumnus of Amherst College, the same college Mr. Duquette attended. In 1987, Mr. Duquette became the Director of Player Development for the Montreal Expos and drafted Marquis Grissom, Cliff Floyd, and Rondell White. He subsequently replaced Dave Dombrowski as the Expos GM in 1991. 

Theo Epstein received his start in the game by taking a position in the public relations department for the San Diego Padres working with Larry Lucchino and was subsequently promoted to the team’s Director of Baseball Operations. In 2002, Larry Lucchino became President-CEO of the Boston Red Sox and hired Mr. Epstein to work for him. At the end of the 2002 season, Mr. Epstein was named the GM of the Red Sox, becoming the youngest GM in baseball history. Mr. Epstein was credited with making several key acquisitions such as Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, and Curt Schilling. 

Dave Dombrowski began his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1978 as an administrative assistant in their minor league organization. He moved up the ladder to Assistant GM before Ken Harrelson purged the entire front-office in 1986. Mr. Dombrowski joined the Montreal Expos in 1987 as their Director of Player Development. In 1988, he became the Expos GM which was the youngest at the time. Mr. Dombrowski has been credited with building the Expos farm system during his term. 

Jeff Luhnow began his career later in life after working as an engineer, management consultant, and technology entrepreneur. In 2003, Mr. Luhnow joined the St. Louis Cardinals front office because the owner, William DeWitt Jr., had a prior business relationship with him. Mr. Dewitt was looking to run the Cardinals in a more analytical and data driven manner. Mr. Luhnow had no prior experience in baseball and had not played since high school. Initially, Mr. Luhnow’s position was Vice President of Baseball Development. During this time he established a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic and extended scouting in Venezuela. He was then promoted to Vice President of Player Procurement which made him director of amateur, international, and domestic scouting. In 2006, Mr. Luhnow was named Vice President of Scouting and Player Development. During this time he oversaw drafts that produced 24 major league players. Several of those players made important contributions in the 2011 World Series, including Allen Craig, John Jay, and Lance Lynn. In December of 2011, Mr. Luhnow became the Houston Astros GM. 

Billy Beane began his career as a “can’t miss” prospect with all “five tools”, but by his own self-admission had difficulty dealing with the mental side of the game. 
After struggling to stay with a big league club for close to ten years, Mr. Beane asked Sandy Alderson, who was the Oakland A’s GM at the time for a scouting job. Mr. Beane was assigned as an advanced scout, and held the position until 1993 when he was named Assistant General Manager. His main task was scouting minor league players. During this time, Mr. Alderson taught Beane to find value in players using sabermetrics. Mr. Beane succeeded Alderson in 1997 and eventually turned the Oakland A’s into one of the most cost-effective teams in baseball. Many other G.M.’s have followed Beane’s strategies and utilize this approach.

Brian Cashman, General Manager of The Yankees

I’ve been following the New York Yankees for a long time. My first vivid recollection of the team was on October 2,1978.  I had just gotten home from school and my dad was getting ready for work. We watched the game in amazement and that moment solidified my attraction to the team. I was nine years old. The “Bronx Zoo” days have changed over the years. The team transitioned from a compulsive organization to a more business oriented corporate ideology. The interlocking “NY” brand is world renowned and, for better or worse, remains in the spotlight. I was more of a fan then, whereas I’m more of a student now. This is why I would like to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman.

Some of the many roles and responsibilities concerning a modern day GM are identifying personnel needs, preparing for an amateur draft, player development scouting, negotiating contracts, managing payroll, and representing the franchise.

Brian Cashman faces a great deal of pressure working for an organization that expects to win the World Series every year. Even though he has access to a substantial amount of financial clout, sound business decisions need to be made. He has realized that throwing money at free agents can create a serious ripple effect causing long term consequences; the franchise cannot rely solely on the free agent market. Regardless of payroll, Mr. Cashman understands that a large market team still needs to apply resources towards home grown talent. In this endeavor, the Yankees have struggled to meet that objective. Not since the days of Gene Michael has the team been able to cultivate their minor league system. Yes, there have been a handful of prospects, but the majority of the players in the system do not match up with the talent in other organizations.

 Like other teams, Mr. Cashman and his front office personnel have turned towards finding potential prospects that are in high school. I understand this from a longevity standpoint as well as the benefit of getting the prospect in the pipeline sooner.  My only question is: Does the organization have the right vision and commitment towards these prospects? The concern is that they’re being groomed for trade bait rather than actually being developed for future roles at the big league level.

As far as current player contracts, they have been problematic in the past and continue to be so. Brian Cashman and the Yankee brass now realize, it’s a recipe for disaster when you negotiate long term contracts based upon past performance, public perception or the idea of preventing the player to sign with a rival. This methodology has hampered the club’s ability to remain competitive in the future year’s to come. Unfortunately, Mr. Cashman had inherited that methodology from George Steinbrenner. From a team-needs perspective, I understand the signings of Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann. The player procurement and scouting perspective looks for players to be strong up the middle. So, you have your centerfielder and catcher, but what about your future shortstop and future rotation? 

Moves have been made to bring in temporary solutions, but the organization as a whole needs to adapt to the changing economic environment regarding personnel. Mr. Cashman has attempted to control payroll by signing players to short-term contracts and fill voids with dependable players, not necessarily the splashy superstars, but everyday players that strengthen the ballclub. This has been difficult to balance in large part due to the high profile of the New York Yankee brand. Whether it be fan or media pressure, the business of baseball demands a winning product in New York more so than other parts of the country. 

Overall, I appreciate what Mr. Cashman has done during his tenure as the New York Yankee General Manager. He has been able to navigate the expectations of the New York spotlight and not lose sight of the big picture which is being competitive and winning. He works hard to get the best players available. Granted, while Mr. Cashman is fortunate enough to have a much larger budget than other teams, he still remains focused on staying under the $189 million dollar budget. This is crucial in today’s market. If you stay under budget, assets can be allocated for player development and procurement. With that said, I am not sure that the organization as a whole puts enough emphasis on the developmental side. For this reason, the big league club will struggle to remain competitive in the foreseeable future.