ESPN.com presents The GM's Office by Jim Bowden Jim Bowden http://espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/ 60 en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 08:41:05 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 What a difference one offseason can make. On May 22, 2012, the Cleveland Indians found themselves atop the American League Central, sporting a surprising 23-18 record. Today, the Indians again sit in first place with an equally surprising 26-18 record. But the Indians are a completely different team in 2013. They’ve been the best story in the AL this season. Outside of the New York Yankees' cast of reclamation projects, the Indians arguably have been the most fun team to watch in the league.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6632 Wed, 22 May 2013 10:25:25 EDT 6632 After another win in the Bronx last night, the Seattle Mariners are just a game below .500 and in second place in the AL West. This club was built on pitching and defense, and it's strong in both areas. However, with an offense that ranks 14th in the AL in runs, there are some issues. The good news for the Mariners is that they have one of the deepest farm systems in the majors and can fix some of those problems from within via promotions and by trading some of that depth.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6597 Fri, 17 May 2013 11:22:52 EDT 6597 The cream of the 2013 free-agent crop was obvious and expensive. Teams entered the offseason flush with cash and spent prodigiously. Outfielder Josh Hamilton was the best position player, while B.J. Upton and Michael Bourn followed not far behind. Right-hander Zack Greinke was clearly the top free-agent pitcher available. All together, the four top free agents signed multiyear contracts worth close to $300 million. And what do those teams have to show for it?]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6575 Fri, 10 May 2013 10:30:31 EDT 6575 No, it isn’t a very happy time in Southern California. SoCal fans just watched as the Lakers and Clippers got bounced out of the NBA playoffs in the first round, while the Dodgers and Angels have looked like they might not even make the playoffs. Coming into 2013, both Los Angeles baseball teams boasted the largest payrolls in their respective divisions, hoping big offseason spending meant getting to the postseason. And on paper, their rosters are good enough to make the playoffs.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6520 Wed, 8 May 2013 11:00:47 EDT 6520 In 2011, Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Matt Moore and his electric left arm were lighting up the minor leagues. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Moore posted a combined 12-3 record with a 1.92 ERA and amassed a ridiculous 210 strikeouts in 155 innings. If ever there was a super prospect, it was Moore. With the Rays clinging to postseason hopes, they promoted Moore that September, and he contributed. He won his only start of the regular season and posted a 2.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6491 Fri, 3 May 2013 10:00:40 EDT 6491 With a month of the season in the books, rookies are making impacts on their teams across the majors. For some, their arrivals and performances were expected; others have been pleasant surprises. I’ll be keeping track of this season’s rookie class in this regular rookie report, monitoring their performances and possible trade stock for when the July 31 trade deadline approaches. So here are the top 15 rookies in the major leagues right now based on how they are performing this year, as well as the next 15 ranked in chart form below.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6446 Wed, 1 May 2013 11:30:29 EDT 6446 Call it early, call it April, tell me there are still 143 games left in the 162-game schedule, but the fact is that the Kansas City Royals have developed into a legitimate wild-card contender. They’re off to a relatively fast 11-8 start. They sit perched atop the American League Central. Some might say they’re just keeping the seat warm until the Detroit Tigers figure out their closer situation and Victor Martinez starts to swing the bat.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6423 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:15:59 EDT 6423 John Schuerholz spent 26 years as a general manager with the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves, the last 17 of those with his Atlanta until he was named club president in the fall of 2007. His success with the Braves is well documented, but less known is the line of succession he had in place. During Schuerholz's last few years in Atlanta, his scouting director was Dayton Moore, who Schuerholz hoped would eventually take his place as GM. The two were so tight that Moore was nicknamed John Schuerholz Jr.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6401 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:35:19 EDT 6401 During spring training, it's not easy to recognize which performances and numbers are legit and which are merely mirages. Spring numbers are never a truly accurate barometer of what to expect from a player during the season. Likewise, early-season numbers are almost as deceiving. The following five players have enjoyed success early in 2013, but what are we to make of it? Could their terrific play in the first three weeks of the season foreshadow a breakout campaign?]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6384 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:30:08 EDT 6384 General managers should be patient and measured. Over the course of 162 games, rash decisions don’t often portend success. A team’s slow start is worrisome, but making knee-jerk reactions can make things only worse. In 1995, when I was GM of the Cincinnati Reds, the team began the season 1-8, but I kept calm and we ended up facing the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series. That being said, a glaring hole in the lineup or rotation, a weakness in the bullpen or a major injury that continues to cost the team wins cannot be ignored, and it can’t be patched up with bit players.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=6370 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:55:50 EDT 6370