Browns ABC’s: Assessing the Browns’ Course of Action, Week 4
October 6, 2015Josh McCown, Craig Robertson defend Joe Haden
October 6, 2015On Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians formally announced what had been rumored in promoting Chris Antonetti to President of Baseball Operations, Mike Chernoff to General Manager, and Derek Falvey to Assistant General Manager.
Despite falling short of the playoffs once again in 2015, the Cleveland Indians front office personnel continue to be desired candidates for jobs throughout MLB, likely due to the organizations forward-thinking processes on player development, databases, and other off-field aspects.
The Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, and other teams had contacted the Indians about interviewing Chernoff for their vacant GM positions, according to Ken Rosenthal. The promotions thus ensure the Indians will maintain stability on the baseball side of the organization at a time when Mark Shapiro is transitioning to the president role with the Toronto Blue Jays, the same post he had held with the Indians.
Additionally, Ross Atkins, Indians vice president of player personnel, was previously interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels GM position before they settled on former Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler.
Cleveland Indians owner and chairman Paul Dolan said the moves were more about aligning the executives’ roles and responsibilities with their titles, though it would be difficult to not see them as a reaction to other organizations continued attempts to poach the Indians front office.
“Chris will continue to work closely with Tito, overseeing the direction of all our baseball decision-making,” Dolan explained, “While Mike and Derek now hold titles that better align with responsibilities they have already largely assumed in our on-going efforts to develop members of our organization.
“I am encouraged that their leadership presence in our front office provides us with continuity and contributes positively to the culture of growth we have worked hard to build across our organization.”
Moving forward, the Cleveland Indians have a stable front office, an elite starting rotation, a great top-three set of hitters (Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, and Michael Brantley), and a vastly improved defense. The farm system also is considered markedly improved over the past several years by industry experts.
However, there still are significant holes especially with the rest of said lineup and the upper most regions of the farm system remain relatively bare for MLB-ready help in 2016.
The 2015 season has ended, the front office is now stabilized, so it is time for them to figure out how to make the October of 2016 more enjoyable.
12 Comments
Soooo, does this mean we’ll be seeing them on the cover of SI next season?
81-80 baby!
Ive defended the Dolans for a long time but this is kind of ridiculous. Why reward these guys for mediocrity?
Yes…the back cover!
In Cleveland that’s a keeper!
Maybe I’m missing something, but I continue to be astounded how many MLB teams are so hot after Indians’ front office personnel. Two playoff appearances and 5 winning seasons in 14 years of Shapiro-ball is not something that would make his assistants particularly marketable. And throughout that time, our farm system has consistently ranked among the bottom third in baseball (although I will admit it’s come a long way in just the last few years). I’m other teams take ownership’s limited payrolls into account when looking at Tribe execs, but then why not raid the front offices of Pittsburgh and Kansas City? They operate under the same constraints and have had much more continued success.
Stability (Tribe) > chaos (Haslams), but <<<<<<< talent (LeBrons).
Talent trumps all especially in a sport where 1 player can dominate a game. The Angels w/ Trout are left watching along with the Indians w/ Lindor, so we know one player cannot do the same in baseball.
Among the best at Wins per $. Lauded organizational system, database, and ability to bring in new ideas (1st to have database, 1st to use Moneyball before it was a term, cutting edge on development now ,etc.).
The draft/player development was weighing down the org, but they started shifting in 2008 and by 2011 had some systems in place that have now allowed the farm system to have risen in the eyes of the industry with some legit talent.
We’ll see, but there are definitive reasons why other teams with greater resources are interested in the Indians FO.
“Two playoff appearances and 5 winning seasons in 14 years of Shapiro-ball is not something that would make his assistants particularly marketable.”
It’s almost as if MLB front offices look at these things differently than casual fans.
Except for the Rays, A’s, and Marlins, no team in baseball needs casual fans more than the Tribe. The customer is always right.
Listening to the fans is the fastest way to be sitting with them.