Baseball executive hot seat: Identifying general managers and key decision-makers at risk of dismissal during the off-season
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies are two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams that have been making headlines recently, with rumours swirling about potential changes in leadership.
Currently, the Pirates' executive is Ben Cherington, who is known for his ambitious plans. Cherington, who took over in 2015, has not yet led the Pirates to a season with more than 76 wins. This offseason, Cherington is reportedly seeking a trade similar to the one that brought Kyle Stowers to the Miami Marlins (Trevor Rogers trade). However, there are no specific reports indicating which leadership figures of the Pirates or Rockies might be fired this fall.
On the other hand, the Colorado Rockies have shown increased sensitivity to results this year. After firing their longtime manager Bud Black and behaving as a seller at the trade deadline, it's been speculated that the team may undergo an organizational overhaul. Bill Schmidt, the Rockies' executive, has been under scrutiny due to the team's poor performance this season, but the team's history of loyalty to their staff could potentially save his job.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels' executive, Perry Minasian, is under contract for at least one more season. The Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Athletics, and Atlanta Braves are also unlikely to make similar changes in their leadership this fall. The same goes for the Baltimore Orioles, despite a down year.
The Washington Nationals have already made a change, firing Mike Rizzo as their executive. The Pirates, too, have recently dismissed their manager, Derek Shelton. Cherington's offseason focus will likely be on finding offensive solutions due to financial constraints. If he fails to do so, he could be on the list for potential dismissals next year.
The Rockies rank 29th in park-adjusted production and have a history of operating differently than the average club, with owner Richard Monfort displaying admirable loyalty to his charges. The team's payroll has consistently ranked lower than 27th in Cherington's first six seasons with the Pirates.
Nick Krall and Brad Meador, the president of baseball operations and general manager of the Cincinnati Reds respectively, have held their positions for about two years and are unlikely to face sweeping changes this year.
In professional baseball, a results-based industry, at some point, blind loyalty may interfere with the Rockies delivering the best possible product. The Colorado Rockies' future leadership remains uncertain, while the Pittsburgh Pirates' Cherington continues his search for offensive solutions amid financial constraints.
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