Originally posted by Niners99:
Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
Boston has just had an unreal draft so far. They got 2 kids in the compensation round that should have gone in round 1. Brentz is one of the best hitters in college baseball and Ranuado is a stud pitcher who would have gone much higher if not for injuries.
Brian Sabean should learn a lesson from the much younger Theo Epstein on what it takes to be a good GM
lol what?
Theo Epstein has a scrooge mcduck sized money vault to play with. his margin for error is huge. if a move he makes doesnt work, he just shrugs and spends more money on the next idea.
i dont think Theo Epstein is that impressive of a GM at all. the only thing hes really good at, is hyping up Red Sox prospects to elite levels when they arent that good. then he waits until someone bites on it, and deals them for good players. for example, the former "blue chip" Justin Masterson.
You can LOL all you want but lets examine the facts:
Accomplishments:
2 World Series titles in his 6 years as GM.
Sporting News Executive of the Decade - awarded in 2009
Draft:
While drafting near the bottom of the draft was able to draft Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkils (was asst GM in that yr). Compare that to Sabean's record of drafting NO position players that have produced at all over a much longer span of time. He also drafted Pappelbon in rd 4 and Buckholtz so he was able to draft a complete team.
Trades:
Curt Schilling for Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyons, and Jorge DeLa Rosa
Coco Crisp for basically nothing
Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley (yes I know he gave up a great young prospect in Hanley but Beckett was and is a big game warrior that won them a WS)
FA Signings:
David Ortiz - 1 year 1.25 million ( gee I guess that worked out OK)
Okajima - 2 years/2.5 million - ya horrible spending there
Matsuzaka - yes they spent a lot 6/52 but he has proved out
Bill Mueller - 2 yrs/4.5 million (off the scrap heap to AL batting champ)
While he did overspend on JD Drew.. I dont think he record is as follows:
Barry Zito 7 yrs 126 million
Aaron Rowand 5/60
Dave Roberts 3/18
Randy Winn 3/23
Matt Morris 3/27
Armando Benitez 3/21
Edgardo Alfonso 4/26
Ray Durham 3/20
So.. while Epstein does have a big payroll he hasnt thrown it away like Brian Sabean has on underperforming crap. He also hasnt traded away prospects like
Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan for a player that had 1 year left on a contract.
You dont have to think he is a good GM. Personally, I would take him any day of the week.