GM Candidate Interview Questions

[flyseye]

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.

 

Aramis Ramirez against lefties AND righties:

 

SLG:

2011-.512

career:-.500

 

OBP:

2011-.342

career=.340

 

Who do you suggest for a part time third baseman to platoon with Baker to equal these numbers?

 

Ramirez will be back.

 

Baker=Dump him.

[dew1679666265]

Aramis Ramirez against lefties AND righties:

 

SLG:

2011-.512

career:-.500

 

OBP:

2011-.342

career=.340

 

Who do you suggest for a part time third baseman to platoon with Baker to equal these numbers?

 

Ramirez will be back.

 

Baker=Dump him.

 

It wouldn't equal Aramis' numbers, but I'd call up Ryan Flaherty to be the left handed portion of the platoon.

 

My preference would be to keep Aramis, obviously, but we've got around $40 million to spend this offseason and have major needs for a top of the rotation starting pitcher and a middle of the order bat. That $40 million does not include picking up Aramis' option for next year.

 

So, we're left with the scenario of adding two of the following three players (theoretically): Fielder/Pujols, Aramis, CJ Wilson. By keeping Baker and promoting Flaherty, we have a pretty decent chance to have above average production at third base and then we make major improvements at first and in the rotation.

[flyseye]

So in reality what you are saying is that IF we can sign Fielder/Pujols and Wilson we might be able to afford keep a Baker/whoever platoon and absorb the decline in production at 3rd.

 

Ok,I'll give you that. Wont happen,though.

[dew1679666265]

So in reality what you are saying is that IF we can sign Fielder/Pujols and Wilson we might be able to afford keep a Baker/whoever platoon and absorb the decline in production at 3rd.

 

Ok,I'll give you that. Wont happen,though.

 

Even if he doesn't end up in a platoon at third, he carries some value as a bench/platoon bat. Considering he's not all that expensive, I don't see a problem keeping him on whether we bring Aramis back or not.

[Little Slide Rooter]

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

 

With the possible exception of Hill, non of the other players you mentioned were signed because of Hendrys personal feelings toward them. Had the Cubs been contenders, and they could have been, Baker and Johnson would have been very valuable role players. I agree, they should not be on the team still, with the possible exception of Baker, who could be of use next year, but I don't think it has anything to do with anyones personal feelings getting in the way.

[Magnetic Curses]

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.

 

he doesn't need a lot of patience if he hits .355 against lefties and he's used exclusively against them. he's a valuable bench player, i have no idea why someone would want to get rid of him.

[erik316wttn]

What do you feel is the best way to keep a farm system strong year after year? Do you feel quality drafting or international scouting is more important to the long-term success of the team on the field?

[flyseye]

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.

 

he doesn't need a lot of patience if he hits .355 against lefties and he's used exclusively against them. he's a valuable bench player, i have no idea why someone would want to get rid of him.

 

Lets see,his lifetime ba vs lefties is well below .355 (.317) .he is a lifetime .190 pinch hitter,cant hit righties for [expletive], is a rather poor fielder,has no power,never walks,has no speed,and makes over a million dollars per. He would have to improve to be considered one dimensional,right now he would have to be considered 1/2 dimensional at best.Glad you like him,though.

[JeffH]

What is the primary role/responsibility of the player who bats #2 in a batting order?

[Guest]

What criteria would you use to determine if you should offer arbitration to a departing free agent?

[Shilzzz]

Dear prospective (or already another teams) gm,

 

do you agree with the sentiment 'this is why we can't have nice things?'

[Shilzzz]

how, exactly, does one in such a position as yours (to be or not to be) cope with media outlets and their criticisms, as well as, is there a way in which one can (not manipulate, but) manipulate (per se) local media so as to garner a more unified front of one's organizational philosophies so as to educate fans and allow us to be honestly spoken to as if we aren't all dumb shits and meat heads?

 

related ephemeral: can you get kaplan [expletive] canned?

[d_money]

What is your position on trading away a fan favorite player on the downside of his career?

[Magnetic Curses]

how, exactly, does one in such a position as yours (to be or not to be) cope with media outlets and their criticisms, as well as, is there a way in which one can (not manipulate, but) manipulate (per se) local media so as to garner a more unified front of one's organizational philosophies so as to educate fans and allow us to be honestly spoken to as if we aren't all dumb [expletive] and meat heads?

 

related ephemeral: can you get kaplan [expletive] canned?

 

meatballs, you mean. meatheads don't wish to be spoken to, they are non-contingent life forms. they look and grunt.

[Sammy Sofa]

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.

 

he doesn't need a lot of patience if he hits .355 against lefties and he's used exclusively against them. he's a valuable bench player, i have no idea why someone would want to get rid of him.

 

Lets see,his lifetime ba vs lefties is well below .355 (.317) .he is a lifetime .190 pinch hitter,cant hit righties for [expletive], is a rather poor fielder,has no power,never walks,has no speed,and makes over a million dollars per. He would have to improve to be considered one dimensional,right now he would have to be considered 1/2 dimensional at best.Glad you like him,though.

 

You're being deliberately obtuse, right? You can't see the value in a platoon player?

 

Baker's career numbers against LH pitchers:

 

.317 .364 .536 .900 in 535 PA

 

You really can't see the value in that?

[CubInOK]

Describe the qualities found in your ideal field manager.

[Guest]

In a scenario where you are satisfied with the level of investment at all levels of the organization(MLB payroll, drafting, international, capital, etc), where do you prefer to spend any additional dollars you are allocated?

[flyseye]

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.

 

he doesn't need a lot of patience if he hits .355 against lefties and he's used exclusively against them. he's a valuable bench player, i have no idea why someone would want to get rid of him.

 

Lets see,his lifetime ba vs lefties is well below .355 (.317) .he is a lifetime .190 pinch hitter,cant hit righties for [expletive], is a rather poor fielder,has no power,never walks,has no speed,and makes over a million dollars per. He would have to improve to be considered one dimensional,right now he would have to be considered 1/2 dimensional at best.Glad you like him,though.

 

You're being deliberately obtuse, right? You can't see the value in a platoon player?

 

Baker's career numbers against LH pitchers:

 

.317 .364 .536 .900 in 535 PA

 

You really can't see the value in that?

 

Oh,I see it. Its his 1/2 dimension.

[CubColtPacer]

 

Lets see,his lifetime ba vs lefties is well below .355 (.317) .he is a lifetime .190 pinch hitter,cant hit righties for [expletive], is a rather poor fielder,has no power,never walks,has no speed,and makes over a million dollars per. He would have to improve to be considered one dimensional,right now he would have to be considered 1/2 dimensional at best.Glad you like him,though.

 

You're being deliberately obtuse, right? You can't see the value in a platoon player?

 

Baker's career numbers against LH pitchers:

 

.317 .364 .536 .900 in 535 PA

 

You really can't see the value in that?

 

Oh,I see it. Its his 1/2 dimension.

 

So your philosophy is that you would rather a bench player be ok in everything than great in one thing and poor in the rest? I can understand that (the former provides better depth while the latter is better to have in any individual game). In the Cubs case, I'm not sure it works though. If Ramirez or Barney go down for any length of time, the Cubs have minor leaguers they can bring up to start at those positions. So why not keep Baker and use him where he's great? If Jackson pushes Reed Johnson off the team next year (which is very possible) then the Cubs are going to be low on guys who can come off the bench and hit left-handed pitching. Baker can fill that void and be used primarily for that purpose. Plus having Baker on the bench means that you can be a little more picky with your other bench players since he can passably play so many positions.

[flyseye]

 

Lets see,his lifetime ba vs lefties is well below .355 (.317) .he is a lifetime .190 pinch hitter,cant hit righties for [expletive], is a rather poor fielder,has no power,never walks,has no speed,and makes over a million dollars per. He would have to improve to be considered one dimensional,right now he would have to be considered 1/2 dimensional at best.Glad you like him,though.

 

You're being deliberately obtuse, right? You can't see the value in a platoon player?

 

Baker's career numbers against LH pitchers:

 

.317 .364 .536 .900 in 535 PA

 

You really can't see the value in that?

 

Oh,I see it. Its his 1/2 dimension.

 

So your philosophy is that you would rather a bench player be ok in everything than great in one thing and poor in the rest? I can understand that (the former provides better depth while the latter is better to have in any individual game). In the Cubs case, I'm not sure it works though. If Ramirez or Barney go down for any length of time, the Cubs have minor leaguers they can bring up to start at those positions. So why not keep Baker and use him where he's great? If Jackson pushes Reed Johnson off the team next year (which is very possible) then the Cubs are going to be low on guys who can come off the bench and hit left-handed pitching. Baker can fill that void and be used primarily for that purpose. Plus having Baker on the bench means that you can be a little more picky with your other bench players since he can passably play so many positions.

 

If Bakers pinch hitting numbers were more respectable , or if he were above average at any other aspect of his game I might see your point. As it is his skill set is so limited he provides little value.Keeping Baker is akin to keeping Campana as a pinch runner/defensive replacement.

 

I will concede that Bakers ability,for lack of a better word,to play multiple positions gives him a shred more value than I was giving him credit for.

[Sammy Sofa]

I feel like this is some kind of elaborate satire.

 

Even if his PH numbers aren't great he's still shown relative tremendous value in his ability to hit LH pitching. How many of those 151 PA as a PH were actually against LH pitchers? Why are you looking at his value only as a PH? A bench guy like can still have significant value since he can multiple positions and he has excellent numbers as a starter against LH pitchers. You seem to have this idea of finding a bench player who is OK at everything, which isn't terribly practical.

[flyseye]

There is a vast divide between a bench player who is good at "everything" and one who is only good at one thing.

 

Come on, even you can do better than that.

 

Baker can hit lefthanders, period. End of story.Would you like me to make a list of bench options who can accomplish more than that? You know better if you think before you post.

[dew1679666265]

Baker can hit lefthanders, period. End of story.

 

If that skill fills a valuable role on next year's team at a reasonable cost, what's wrong with making use of that skill? Especially when there are 4-5 more bench spots that can be used for guys who can do more.

[davearm2]

Baker can hit lefthanders, period. End of story.

 

If that skill fills a valuable role on next year's team at a reasonable cost, what's wrong with making use of that skill? Especially when there are 4-5 more bench spots that can be used for guys who can do more.

Right. It's like saying, all Marmol can do is strike guys out.

[Sammy Sofa]

There is a vast divide between a bench player who is good at "everything" and one who is only good at one thing.

 

Come on, even you can do better than that.

 

Baker can hit lefthanders, period. End of story.Would you like me to make a list of bench options who can accomplish more than that? You know better if you think before you post.

 

That's a pretty big one thing.

 

And you're talking about him like he's a defensive monster.