To replace Dan Duquette, the Orioles will look for a new general manager. Here, we’ll look at some possible candidates mentioned by major league sources.
But first we’ll take a look at the man who’ll be the interim general manager during the search.
Brian Graham (pictured above) is in charge of the Orioles’ minor league system as the team’s director of player development. He just completed his sixth season in his current role.
Graham was a coach for the Orioles in 2000 and later served as Pittsburgh’s senior director of player development for six seasons, and briefly served as the Pirates’ interim general manager.
He got high marks from former manager Buck Showalter for his organizational skills, and minor league personnel speak highly of him. His son, Jack, is a coach for the Frederick Keys.
While the Orioles say their new head of baseball operations will come from outside their system, Graham could get an interview.
Possible Outside candidates
Mike Berger-A professional scout with the Milwaukee Brewers, Berger served as Miami’s interim GM when Dan Jennings moved from GM to field manager.
He played 13 minor league seasons and has also been the director of professional scouting for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Josh Byrnes-The Washington, D.C. native has been the Los Angeles Dodgers’ senior vice president of baseball operations for the past four seasons.
Byrnes has extensive experience as a general manager with Arizona and San Diego.
Ben Cherington-Succeeded Theo Epstein as Boston’s GM in 2011. Under his watch, the Red Sox won the World Series in 2013. Currently the vice president of baseball operations for the Toronto Blue Jays.
His major appeal would be his deep knowledge of the American League East.
Cherington is said to be a candidate for the New York Mets’ GM job.
Ned Colletti-Colletti reportedly interviewed for a job with the Orioles during the summer. He was the Dodgers’ GM for 10 seasons, ending in 2014 and before that was the San Francisco Giants’ assistant GM.
Colletti recently wrote a book, “The Big Chair,” and is a pregame and postgame commentator on Dodgers’ telecasts.
Mike Elias-He’s been Houston’s assistant general manager for scouting and pro development since 2012.
Elias was a left-handed pitcher for Yale and is credited with being the driving force behind the Astros’ selection of Carlos Correa as the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Wayne Krivsky-A one-time former GM of the Cincinnati Reds, Krivsky has worked for the Rangers, Mets and Twins. He spent a year with the Orioles as a special assistant to Andy MacPhail in 2009. Krivsky is out of baseball after serving as a scout for Minnesota.
Tony LaCava-An early advocate of sabermetrics, LaCava has been with Toronto since 2002. LaCava has been the Blue Jays’ senior vice president of baseball operations since 2015.
LaCava was offered the Orioles’ job in 2011 before it was given to Duquette.
Ray Montgomery-Played 47 games for Houston from 1996-98 and has been Milwaukee’s scouting director since 2014. Also worked for Arizona. Montgomery is thought to be a candidate for the Mets’ GM position.
Tim Naehring-Played infield for the Red Sox from 1990-97. After working as Cincinnati’s minor league director, he moved to the New York Yankees. For the past three years, he has been New York’s vice president of baseball operations.
Kim Ng-One-time assistant general manager for the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, Ng has also worked for the Chicago White Sox.
Since 2011, Ng has been the senior vice president of baseball operations for Major League Baseball.
She’s interviewed for several GM jobs.
Jack Zduriencik-At 67, the oldest of those mentioned but has more than three decades of front office experience. He’s worked for the Mets, Pirates, Brewers and spent seven years as Seattle’s GM.
He had a controversial ending in Seattle and has resurfaced as co-host of pre- and postgame shows in Pittsburgh and has even filled in as the official scorer for Pirates games.
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You forgot Cal Ripken Jr
Brian Graham head of Orioles Minor League Developement. Isn't that a major problem right there--Minor League Developement? Disqualifys him I would think. Dare we say he is part of the problem,not of the remedy? Cal? What qualifies him? Where does Brady fit in and what does he do? It is mandatory that the Sons get this right.
I'll pass. Cal has no experience behind him that suggests he'd be a good GM. He's had ownership stakes in minor league teams, but he's not in the game in such a way that he would make sense as a GM candidate. Plus, how would you ever get rid of him if things didn't work out? He's an Orioles legend.
And Rick Dempsey.
I like Cherington, Naehring and Byrnes but i would like Dan O'Dowd
Please not Zduriencik
Not you, Phil?
Thank you for the idea Rich
I am printing my resume as we speak
Matt Arnold:
Former director of player personel for Rays, was Rays scouting director. Now Asst GM for brewers.
Interesting thought, dp
The Rays do develop players quite well. Not a bad one to look at.
I vote for Rich Dubroff!
I can’t afford the pay cut, WV.
Ohhh... what was I thinking??
Rich Dubroff, thanks for this list. Sure wish Theo Epstein was out of contract and felt like he had something to prove by turning around my beloved O's (cue uproarious laughter). In lieu of that, maybe Mike Elias of Houston can be pried free? I just hope we hire someone who once again makes B'more a club that grooms topline pitchers.
Theo Epstein would be interesting in Baltimore. Many years ago, he was an intern for the Orioles.
Would be a great time for the Sons to come out from behind the curtain(and not with Brady in tow)and make a public statement to ease everybody and give us some confidence that things we be done right.
Can we conjure up the spirit of Hank Peters?
While we're in the Underworld, how about Paul Richards, the Waxahachie Wizard?
Are the sons running things now or is Brady?
Why are the non O's listed as candidates...Graham should be let go ..based on the performance of the Minors. Get personnel who are O's ex personell...Dempsey, Bordick,Ripken, Palmer,all of whom could bring how to win and the importance
Of pitching and defense.
What makes you think Dempsey, Bordick, Ripken, or Palmer know anything about running a baseball team? 0 years experience in the Majors as an executive. With the exception of Bordick, they are all probably too old-school for the younger players anyway.
A GM to be competent must know baseball..the running of the other side
Admissions, advertising , etc can be the responsibility of others but to build
A winning team having someone who has played and won...is in my opinion,
Is better to recognise talent, the importance of pitching,defense and the value of those who can reach base by hits and walks,
I thing the owners would listen to a previous star and winner...vs some individual who has a different baseball background.
I would like John and Louis to announce the criteria being used in the selection process. I want someone younger than 50, with experience building a winning team. That disqualifies, among others, the Mets, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Texas, San Diego. Colletti is controversial. So is Zduriencik.
There should be no former Orioles associated with the Angelos family anywhere close to this front office or in the dugout. They will just be pawns to Angelos, no matter what their press release says. They need to completely clean house, including the minor league personnel. Go with Kim Ng. She's lightning in a bottle that hasn't been given her opportunity. It would bring much needed positive press to the organization and from all accounts, she has the experience and know-how to get the job done. Sign her up before anyone else gets beyond their biases and snags her first!
[My post from ‘The Athletic’. Probably just as valid here]
I have to agree with the majority here that “the Ripken ship” has already sailed. The Orioles not only need to reconstruct their entire operation to conform with twenty first century challenges, they also need to completely change the ‘culture. I read (somewhere) not all that long ago that they are the only franchise within MLB that has no women or minorities among upper management and the executive ranks. This desperately needs to be changed. Therefore, I’m much in favor of the Angelos’ giving serious consideration to Kim Ng. All the people that have worked with her feel that there is no one better qualified. (say; Brian Cashman, Ned Colletti and Joe Torre.) She has the ‘day to day’ experience of an assistant GM from her previous associations with teams including a grounding in analytics. In her current position within MLB, she also oversees the entire International Development operation. The Orioles need absolutely everything she can bring to them, more so than someone within the “old boy” network. Among those qualities, would be a completely different mindset. For now and for the future.
Right on!
Rich,
What about Amiel Sawadye? He’s currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an assistant GM and was once with the Boston Red Sox. Amiel is known for drafting guys like Betts and Jackie Bradley, and has a good pedigree with the international market.
Mix that in with Amiel being a Baltimore native and a graduate of the University of Maryland, and I think you have the right guy for the job.
I strongly believe the Orioles need to look into this guy for their next GM.
There's a problem with organizational culture. Whoever the team hires should be someone coming from a team that has a culture of winning.