anyone else seeing big changes ahead? Latest: Mark A says Melvin is going to be here a long time, Macha will not be fired Monday

[PeaveyFury]

I think we can all agree that Melvin has been far better than Taylor or Bando but that doesnt mean he shouldnt be replaced.

 

But I think we can all also agree that if he's fired, they'd better make sure they have an option lined up that is a legitimate improvement rather than making a change just to make a change. That can work with managers, but with GM's it could cripple a franchise.

 

If Terry Ryan expresses interest, fine. If we're looking at a retread, why bother?

[Invader3K]

I agree making a GM change just to "make a change" would be terrible.

 

As far as future options, Kevin Towers is a guy floating out there right now that had a pretty nice run as the Padres GM.

[PeaveyFury]

Nice call on Towers- if they do decide to make a change, he's certainly a guy to look at.

[bklynbrewcrew]

We could do far worse than Melvin so I agree that if there isnt a clear upgrade we shouldnt make a move. Kevin Towers is a guy that would be a clear downgrade in my opinion. The Padres minor league system has been bad for many years and Towers is responsible for that.

[bklynbrewcrew]

Mike Arbuckle would be the perfect candidate to replace Melvin. Arbuckle was the man responsible for drafting the core of the Phillies championship teams. He drafted Utley, Howard, Rollins and Hamels and quit when he was passed over for Ruben Amaro. Arbuckle is an asst in KC now and would love a GM job.

 

This guy seems like a great prospect and should be high on the list when and if Melvin goes.

[craigharmann]

While I like Melvin and Ash, and think they've done a good job, a fresh set of eyes wouldn't be a bad thing. Arbuckle, Towers or Ryan would be great choices, if they're interested.

[brewmann04]

Yes Bando also cost us by him taking Fellow Arz st alumi Antoine Williamsom i believe.

I think Mark A should make a call to Bristol Ct and See if Bobby V is intrested.

[bklynbrewcrew]

Arbuckle should be the only guy considered along with Logan White who drafted all of the great young Dodger talent. These two have shown an ability to draft and develop and that is the number one criterior to look for in a GM.

[PeaveyFury]

Arbuckle is an asst in KC now and would love a GM job.

 

I know he's just an adviser and not calling the shots, but I'm hesitant to want anything to do with someone associated with the train wreck in Kansas City under Moore....

[bklynbrewcrew]

Arbuckle is an asst in KC now and would love a GM job.

 

I know he's just an adviser and not calling the shots, but I'm hesitant to want anything to do with someone associated with the train wreck in Kansas City under Moore....

He hasnt been in KC long and Moore was dopey way before Arbuckle became an advisor. Arbuckle has a great track record drafting stars for the Phillies and that should remove any doubts about him. The truth is there is risk with any potential new GM. Dayton Moore was very highly regarded when KC hired him and he has turned out to be a complete train wreck as a GM.

 

 

[TooLiveBrew]

Mike Arbuckle would be the perfect candidate to replace Melvin. Arbuckle was the man responsible for drafting the core of the Phillies championship teams. He drafted Utley, Howard, Rollins and Hamels and quit when he was passed over for Ruben Amaro. Arbuckle is an asst in KC now and would love a GM job.

 

This guy seems like a great prospect and should be high on the list when and if Melvin goes.

I like your two suggestions (White too), bklyn. Thanks for pointing those guys out.

[sweepscc]

Bando and perhaps Taylor may have been lost causes but we also have to remember that Melvin is the only GM to have the benefit of an owner who is willing to competitively spend money.

A huge disadvantage for Taylor, Bando, etc. So we aren't exactly comparing apples to apples. Taylor got us a better farm system in hiring Jack Z....Bando just sucked regardless of the owner's pocketbook.

[Gobias Industries]

Nice call on Towers- if they do decide to make a change, he's certainly a guy to look at.

I'd also look at DePodesta. He had a really good (but short) run in LA, and seems he was replaced for personal reasons more than anything.

[naivin]

As I have thought about this, I fully expect that Dale Sveum or Done Money will be managing the team when they take the field on May 25th. While I see no real compelling reason Macha should be fired, I see no real compelling reason to keep him either. Therefore, if you are Melvinassio, change for change sake is a rather risk fee move. They will be looking at 2 months before the trade deadline, and that gives them ample time to see what they can do before potentially having to make a decision on Fielder. Continuing to flounder during that time without at least trying to do something would be a disservice to the team and the fans, potentially beyond this season.

[PeaveyFury]

Arbuckle has a great track record drafting stars for the Phillies and that should remove any doubts about him.

 

But the same was said about Jack Z, who has been very disappointing thus far in Seattle. Small sample, I know.

[Beast Light]

I think we can all agree that Melvin has been far better than Taylor or Bando but that doesnt mean he shouldnt be replaced.

It is also important to note that comparing Melvin to his predecessors is not an apples to apples comparison. Relative to the rest of the league, he has been given a lot more money to work with.

 

Edit: My apologies, sweepcc. I missed your post where you said pretty much the exact same thing.

[Hate those Rodents]

Arbuckle has a great track record drafting stars for the Phillies and that should remove any doubts about him.

 

But the same was said about Jack Z, who has been very disappointing thus far in Seattle. Small sample, I know.

Has Jack Z really been disappointing? I feel he made some great value signings last off-season. This year, he made a great trade for Lee and a very good signing in Figgins.

 

[PeaveyFury]

The Lee trade will be largely a waste of three good prospects with their lack of competitiveness since he's shown no interest in re-signing so far.

 

Considering that they were predicted by a lot of people to be competing for that division this year, I think it's fair to say that the results have been disappointing thus far.

[bklynbrewcrew]

Arbuckle has a great track record drafting stars for the Phillies and that should remove any doubts about him.

 

But the same was said about Jack Z, who has been very disappointing thus far in Seattle. Small sample, I know.

I cant explain why Jack Z hasnt done well so far. I hated the Figgins signing and didnt understand why he would go into the season thinking that the Mariners lineup would be anything other than awful. Just goes to show that you never know what you are hiring as a first time GM until they are on the job.

 

 

[TooLiveBrew]

The Lee trade will be largely a waste of three good prospects with their lack of competitiveness since he's shown no interest in re-signing so far.

But they knew going into the trade that Lee was 100% committed to hitting FA (that was the reason Philly was looking to move him). It was a move done exclusively with contending in mind, and iirc the thinking from the Mariners was that the three prospects they gave up for him were roughly equal to the two likely comp picks they'll get for him walking.

 

I don't disagree that, based on some pundits' picks, you can call the year disappointing so far. I just don't think the move was a waste of prospects, as Z seemed to have a plan heading into it.

[Postseason2006]

Well signing Hoffman to that deal is looking a bit more ridiculous than ever. Melvin has trouble finding closers.

[Funketown]

I'll go ahead and say that today very well could be Hoffman's last save opportunity. Seven longballs in 13 innings is just astonishing...I know he can't be this bad all of a sudden, but can he?

[JohnBriggs12]

Release Hoffman now. While you're at it, fire Macha. Fire Peterson. Release Vargas. Release Suppan. Fire Melvin. Bring up Braddock. Bring up Smith. Pick a closer among Villanueva, Smith, Braddock or Axford.

 

Macha should be fired for letting Hoffman pitch to Votto. Where was Stetter?

[Invader3K]

Well signing Hoffman to that deal is looking a bit more ridiculous than ever. Melvin has trouble finding closers.

No he doesn't. He has trouble finding closers that work out for more than one or one-and-a-half seasons.

[TooLiveBrew]

What on earth are you basing firing Peterson on?