The Front Office Ace Theory?

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm wondering if, similar to the "Bullpen Ace" theory, given the Brewers' financial reality, a Scouting Director is more important than a GM. Perhaps of equal importance? What I mean is, since FAs cost so much & our market can't conceivably sustain more than one or two decent FAs per season, is Jack Z a more valuable part of this organization - in his current role?

 

I guess the way I was considering this is - very crudely - there are the two groups of players to be scouted, analyzed, and prioritized: guys entering pro ball/in the minors, and guys that've worked their way(s) up to MLB. Since the former group is obviously cheaper, and our budget has obvious limitations, is it better for a small market team like ours to (arguably) have the better personnel guy at Scouting Director, as opposed to GM?

[colbyjack]

An interesting thought TLB, but I'm not sure it is an equal comparison.

 

As far as I can tell, the bullpen ace theory is about talent, putting the best pitcher in the most crucial game situation. That pitcher is somewhat on an island, even if he does rely on the defense behind him, in that he is charged almost solely with the responsibility of recording outs.

 

A GM is only as good as his supporting cast, and the same is true for a scouting director. Jack Z. ultimately has the final call on draft picks, but he for the most part is making his decisions based on the recommendations from his scouting staff. Yes, Jack Z. is responsible for assembling his team, just like Melvin is responsible for keeping guys like Jack Z. around, and just like Dean Taylor is credited for initially hiring Jack.

 

It's a trickle down effect, as the people that help scout and develop the talent make everyone above them on the organizational chain look good, just like any successful business. But the ultimate decisions are made from the top moving down, which in my mind makes the GM the most important part of any organization, as he oversees all of the different avenues, from amateur and professional scouting to the player development dep't. to make sure it all works together to create the best finished product at the highest level as possible.

 

The GM is in charge of accumulating talent that accentuates the talent acquired via the draft, no matter what the organization's overall financial position is, and that in the end is the most important, as discussed on the MLB forum, with the present focus being on taking an 83 win team to the next level. Jack Z. can't help Melvin too much there, as the draft simply doesn't have that kind of immediate impact.

[TooLiveBrew]

Right - I guess I'm focusing more on sustainability of an 85-ish win team, as opposed to getting this current squad to the 'next level.' I know each season has its unique nuances, but being consistently around 85 wins seems to be a decent goal - obviously not meaning I ignore the current hump to get over in taking the 85-ish win team higher.

[sbrylski]

How about a starting pitcher's (the GM) win total is very dependent on the offensive side of the ball (the scouting director), which he has relatively little control over - but still some. Also, the positional players fielding (lower level scouts) also makes the pitcher (the GM) look better overall. This fielding (the lower level scouts) often gets its importance overlooked. So the fact that the pitcher's (the GM) win total is greatly influenced by the offense (scouting director) and defense (lower level scouts), its better to use a fielding-independent metric like FIP or dERA (which equates to objective analysis of things only he controls) to judge the pitcher (GM). Then something about VDLS and a stolen plasma TV.

 

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[colbyjack]

The thought has some merit, considering teams in a similar position to the Brewers, such as the Pirates, have been unable to take advantage of similar draft slots and haven't collected anywhere near the talent the Brewers have. Even with limited finances involved, the Brewers have taken a couple of so-called budget/slot picks in Fielder and Braun, neither of whom would have gone any higher than they did in the years they were drafted, yet the Pirates always seem to stumble with such picks (Bullington as the #1 overall in '02, McCutchen who is good, but not great, especially when they had the opportunity to take Jay Bruce, in '05).

 

The GM ultimately takes the fall for the inability to procure talent, but imagine where the Pirates would be with a few more savvy picks.

[TooLiveBrew]

Sbrylski pwned this entire thread.

 

Then something about VDLS and a stolen plasma TV.

 

A long, healthy tradition of hot Best Buy-ware in Wisconsin!

 

http://www2.jsonline.com/badger/image/2000/110400/davis1104.jpg

 

In all seriousness, thanks for the responses, boys.