San Diego got the ball rolling when they let GM Josh Byrnes go during this season. He was replaced by Texas Rangers executive AJ Preller. Similar to the amount of managers I suggested could be out after this season, I came up with the same amount of GMs that are in the same boat.
6. Jon Daniels: Texas Rangers- The Rangers as a franchise should look at the 2014 season as a whole and just forget about it. While expectations were very high going into the season, they were set to succeed with the projected players and pitchers on their 40 man roster to start the season. The Prince Fielder trade was expected to give them a cleanup batter with 40 HR power while moving Ian Kinsler was done to free second base for 21 year old Jurickson Profar. Profar has not played all year and the normally durable Fielder's season was cut short after just 42 games. Yu Darvish is now on the DL, joining what could have been the rest of their projected rotation- Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Martin Perez and Tanner Scheppers. Good news is that Holland is back and his series of September starts will be good for the Rangers going into 2015. While the Rangers can be criticized for the amount of money they invested in Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo (also on the DL,) it makes sense to give the whole organization from top to bottom a complete pass based on what has happened with the injuries. Daniels, considered one of the better GMs in all of MLB, may be facing more scrutiny than he has before. All signs point to him returning to the Rangers in 2015.
5. Walt Jocketty: Cincinnati Reds- Jocketty took on a consultant like position with the Reds after serving as GM of the St Louis Cardinals. Just three months went by before he was named Reds GM, replacing Wayne Krivsky. The Reds have been blessed with a lot of talent, but have had little to show for it. The Reds won the NL Central in 2010 with 91 wins and after a down 2011 season, they won 93 games and the NL Central again in 2012. After a loss to Pittsburgh in last year's Wild Card play in game, manager Dusty Baker was given the ax. The team has struggled under new manager Bryan Price, but a lot has had to do with injuries. In my opinion, the injuries have been wasted out by the breakout seasons of catcher Devin Mesoraco, 3B Todd Frazier and RHP Alfredo Simon. Yes, the Reds can expect a healthy Joey Votto and Homer Bailey back in 2015, but I think it is time to start questioning how much this group has left. Their division is very competitive already and the Cubs are only getting better. Jocketty has had a lot of success, but I can see the Reds evaluating his position after the season.
4. Alex Anthopoulos: Toronto Blue Jays- I can see Anthopoulos keeping his job if the Blue Jays finish at .500 or better. Maybe manager John Gibbons takes the hit after this season, buying Alex some more time. The Blue Jays do have a lot of talent, but I still feel that their 2013 performance is fresh on the mind of ownership. They had a need to add a top starting pitcher, but Anthopoulos passed on making that upgrade. If the Blue Jays do not make a change in the front office, it will become important that the team brings in a top starting pitcher for 2015. The class of free agent pitchers is much better than last off season, so perhaps Anthopoulos had that in mind. There is also a little pressure from the media and fan base for this group to win soon, with guys like Jose Bautista and RA Dickey not getting any younger. Seeing the Pirates and likely the Royals getting back to the post season does not make anybody in Toronto feel any better.
3. Dan O'Dowd: Colorado Rockies- There was some thought that the Rockies could have some success this past season. But that was contingent on them getting anything out of their starting rotation. That clearly hasn't happened and a lot of that can be put on the GM. Outside of Jorge De La Rosa and possibly Jordan Lyles, what other top starting pitcher options do the Colorado Rockies have? Perhaps the altitude of Denver can be blamed for pitchers not wanting to pitch there, and maybe O'Dowd has tried to bring in free agents who have decided they'd rather pitch elsewhere. We know this team can score runs but we also know they will be giving up a ton of runs themselves. Having Jonathan Gray in the rotation should be a blessing, but he is an example of another guy who has yet to deal with the elevation issues. Money will have to talk this off season is O'Dowd is brought back. They may have to overpay to convince a free agent starter to come to Colorado. They also have two star players in Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez- both of whom could command the type of young pitcher they need to get some momentum going. In addition, it is difficult to see the actual plan the Rockies have going forward, even with the thought of some new pitching coming from outside the organization. I can see a change here but wonder if there is a mind who can figure out this whole altitude thing.
2. Kevin Towers: Arizona Diamondbacks- One of the biggest disappointments this season has been that of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They made some bold off season moves to bring in guys like Mark Trumbo and Bronson Arroyo, but they have not been able to shake off a bad start. The bold moves that Towers made were met with some criticism, mainly the trade for Trumbo, which cost him Adam Eaton and Tyler Skaggs. Prior moves like the trade of Justin Upton and Trevor Bauer do not look like they are paying dividends. The Diamondbacks can hope that Randall Delgado, Zeke Spruill and Didi Gregorius will all get better at the major league level and did get back Peter O'Brien in the deal for Martin Prado. The toughest thing Towers will have to deal with is the fact that Tony LaRussa has been a consultant with the DBacks for most of this year. LaRussa is studying things and that usually does not bode well for the General Manager. Most GM's do not like another person overseeing their activities. Towers has a great track record and is one of the most respected in the game. I think whether he stays will be solely on what LaRussa's recommendations are.
1. Ruben Amaro: Philadelphia Phillies- It is completely understandable why Phillies fans would want to see GM Amaro replaced. The team is finishing its second consecutive season in the bottom part of the NL East and there is not a lot pointing in the direction of the team becoming a contender for 2015. Of course, the team also has their hands tied now do to the commitments of several core players from their 2008 World Series Championship team. That leaves probably limited funds to bring in the core type of player the team needs to turn things around next season. The farm system has very little in regards to impact players in the top levels of their minor leagues. This is the prime example of a situation that needs another voice to get things going in the proper direction. Another prospective on what the team can do to get work some good young players and maybe bring in the right veteran to shake up the comfort of the clubhouse. It is safe to say the Phillies will unlikely go any further with the group of players they have now. I do not know if Amaro sees that. Somebody else will and this organization will make the necessary changes throughout the club to get things going where the Phillies fans expect it to be.