Shocker: Friedman Wins EOTY

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 4, 2008 1:11 PM EST

People always discuss "franchise players" but "franchise personnel' are just as important, and Friedman is definitely a "franchise GM". One of the perks about having a good front office is not worrying about an incompetent move, which makes the off-season and trade deadlines rather stress free, at least in the sense of not thinking "Holy crap we're going to mess up."

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Congrats to Friedman

I didn’t grow up a Rays fan, and I didn’t really pay much attention until last year. But when it became clear the front office has turned completely competent, I was intrigued. I started hanging out around here and appreciating not only the Rays’ FO decisions but their players and team as a whole. And I’ve enjoyed myself. It’s so nice to deal with competency for a change, and not just in the baseball world.

Friedman and his employees are the cause of all that, although Stu deserves credit for hiring him.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 4, 2008 1:38 PM EST reply actions

still worried

about another team coming along and stealing him from us for a hefty raise… There will be plenty of copy cats out there soon enough.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 4, 2008 1:55 PM EST reply actions

If we can sustain success for a few years

And I don’t even mean winning a World Series (though that would be neato), there’s no reason to think we’ll lose him. Keep the fanbase growing, keep penetrating that market. The Tampa Bay area isn’t all that small (not as small as the media likes to believe); if this sleeping giant of baseball fandom can be fully awoken, then the Rays will be able to afford to loosen the pursestrings.

by PlayOnWords on Nov 4, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Doubtful.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 4, 2008 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

I hope so

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 4, 2008 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

Stu likes him

And knows the value of a great manager. One of two things would happen: Stu ponies up to keep him around, or Stu finds someone else who is similar who he already knows he can similarly trust to make the same kinds of decisions.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 4, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

That second point is a good one.

Stu obviously sees the advantage in Friedman’s school of thought, call it sabermetric, modern, smart, or whatever. My guess is that there are most of those types of guys looking for jobs than organizations looking to hand them the reigns.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 4, 2008 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

I'm as concerned about Hunsiker going somewhere else as a GM

by staplemaniac on Nov 4, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

What's on tap for the encore Andy?

Now that the bar has been set he is going to have to work even harder to take us to the next level. I have no doubt that he is the right man for the job. The only question is how does he find a way to hose a team now that he has the rep of a smiling shark.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 4, 2008 3:55 PM EST reply actions