GM Candidate Interview Questions

[Tim]

I just had an idea that I really want to pursue. I want out community here to compile a list of questions for potential GM candidates out there, as well as a list of candidates. I'll throw as much weight as I can behind it and send it out to the various candidates to see if we can get any / all of them to respond.

 

Ground rules:

 

1) Most of these candidates are going to be employed right now, so we can't specifically ask if they are interested in the job or any such question.

 

2) Let's think this through from the point of view of the 10 questions we could ask to best determine the philosophy of the candidates. Instead of, "Would you sign Pujols this offseason?" we should be asking something like, "What are the things you would look at when determining how high you would spend for a great player?"

 

3) Not all questions will make it, but I'd love for people to post their own lists of questions here.

 

Thanks!

[Hairyducked Idiot]

How important are veteran middle relievers?

 

A) Super important. B) Really important. C) Extremely important.

[Rob]

1.) How would you describe your overall organizational philosophy?

[82TonyM]

Describe the qualities you deem most important in a manager in this era of baseball and more importantly for the Cubs organization next year and beyond?

[bukie]

1 ) If you had to choose between being a general manager at a club with a limited payroll but full freedom of choice of personnel within that payroll, or a club with a near unlimited payroll where personnel choices were constantly monitored and limited, which would you prefer?

 

2 ) Rank the following ten statistics in order of importance to you when evaluating an offensive player: AVG, BABIP, BB, EQA, HR, K, OPS, RBI, SB, WAR

 

3 ) Rank the following ten statistics in order of importance to you when evaluating a starting pitcher: BB/9, ERA, HRA, IP, K/9, QS, W, WAR, WHIP, xFIP

 

4 ) Rank the following ten statistics in order of importance to you when evaluating a relief pitcher: BB/9, BS, ERA, HLD, HRA, K/9, SV, WAR, WHIP, xFIP

 

5 ) On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most, how much do the following factors affect your judgment on a player: statistical measures, scouting, clubhouse presence, work ethic?

 

6 ) Rank the following factors in order of importance to a successful franchise: farm system, free agent signings, manager, fan base, front office personnel.

 

7 ) What is the worst way a manager can hurt his team? Best way a manager can help his team?

[Banedon]

What do you believe is the most common mistake that MLB General Managers make, and how would you avoid falling into that pitfall?

[Guest]

Here's a few of my thoughts...

 

• What defensive metrics do you pay attention to?
  
• What is the most difficult part of a position player's game is the most difficult to evaluate?
  
• How do you evaluate a player development program? Is it possible to separate the quality of the players coming in from the development process?
  
• Is it possible to utilize statistical analysis when evaluating players for the draft, or is that purely the province of scouting?
  
• Same question, but with minor league prospects
  
• What have been the most important developments in player evaluation during the past 10 years?
  
• Keeping players healthy - particularly pitchers - is a tremendous potential advantage for a franchise. Other than watching pitch counts, what are some of the keys to developing pitchers without having them succumb to injury?

[Guest]

Here's a few of my thoughts...

 

• What defensive metrics do you pay attention to?
  
• What part of a position player's game is the most difficult to evaluate?
  
• How do you evaluate a player development program? Is it possible to separate the quality of the players coming in from the development process?
  
• Is it possible to utilize statistical analysis when evaluating players for the draft, or is that purely the province of scouting?
  
• Same question, but with minor league prospects
  
• What have been the most important developments in player evaluation during the past 10 years?
  
• Keeping players healthy - particularly pitchers - is a tremendous potential advantage for a franchise. Other than watching pitch counts, what are some of the keys to developing pitchers without having them succumb to injury?

[The Other One]

Player Development:

1. Do you believe in imprinting an organizational philosophy on developing players or do you believe that may constrict development in some players?

2. What portion of the system should be comprised of high ceiling guys vs. low floor players?

3. What portion of high school vs college players would a draft look like?

4. Would you seek value in positions underutilized in the majors (left handed pitchers, catchers) over best available athlete?

5. What is your philosophy regarding pitch counts especially during development?

 

Major league roster

1. What is your thinking on line up construction and how important is it?

2. What time horizon do you use for roster construction and planning?

3. How should young players be brought into the majors?

[PackLandVA]

Are you a Cubs fan? Have you been so for a very long time?

[Vanilla Ice]

How do you feel about Crane Kenney?

[rocket]

Why do you think the Cubs have been below average in developing position player talent, and what plans do you have to improve in that area?

 

The Cubs are unique because the fans are passionate, the local media is intense, large market, large payroll, and of course they haven't won a WS in forever. How would this unique situation change your general managing philosophy, if at all?

 

What current or former GM's would you regard as the best at their profession?

[Vanilla Ice]

What current or former GM's would you regard as the best at their profession?

Oooo, I really like this one

[Outshined_One]

How much does it matter to have left-handed hitting and left-handed pitching for a team's success? Why?

 

What should be a hitter's goal in an at bat?

[flyseye]

1. Do you actually know anything about the internal workings of running a major baseball franchise, or are you just someone who would waste countless hours of their life posting on message boards if they didnt have anything else to do.

 

2.Do you think you can unload Soriano.

 

3.Will you look for a real manager to replace the amazingly inept Quade who obviously has the respect of no one.

 

4. Can you rise above your personal feelings regarding certain players and do what is really best for the team.

 

5. Can you convince Larry Rothschild to return as pitching coach.( after doing #3)

Edited August 20, 2011 by flyseye

[Sammy Sofa]

Can you crumple up the list of questions flyseye just gave you, set them on fire and then pee on the ashes? Edited August 20, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[flyseye]

Can you crumple up the list of question flyseye just gave you, set them on fire and then pee on the ashes?

 

Sorry nuts, I could not resist #1 after a couple of beers.

 

I am sure you really do have better things to do sometimes. I guess.

[Sammy Sofa]

Oh, no, that had everything to do with #2-4. Nobody cares about #1, stranger on the internet.

[flyseye]

I'm a stranger in a strange land.

 

2 and 3 will happen, hopefully 4, #5 probably not.

[Little Slide Rooter]

#4 is kind of dumb, although I'm assuming you're refering to Koyie Hill.

[flyseye]

Hill,Johnson,Baker,Grabow, no reason for any of them to still be on the team.

[dew1679666265]

Hill,Johnson,Baker,Grabow, no reason for any of them to still be on the team.

 

Baker has a career OPS over .900 against lefties. He could be very valuable to the Cubs as the right handed side of a third base platoon next season. There's plenty of reason for him to be on the team.

[Magnetic Curses]

what does that list have to do with anything?

 

dear candidate, do you know any baseball players? do you know mad max or die hard?

[flyseye]

Hill,Johnson,Baker,Grabow, no reason for any of them to still be on the team.

 

Baker has a career OPS over .900 against lefties. He could be very valuable to the Cubs as the right handed side of a third base platoon next season. There's plenty of reason for him to be on the team.

 

Little power,never walks,average fielder at best,dump him.

[dew1679666265]

Little power

 

SLG:

2011: .495

Career: .536

 

never walks

 

OBP:

2011: .371

Career: .364

 

average fielder at best

 

UZR has him as a very good fielder at second and inconsistent at third. I'll concede this one to you. He's got enough power and patience in a platoon role, however.

 

All numbers are against lefties.