ESPN's Phillips: Dombrowski Still One of the Best GMs

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2009 12:10 PM EDT in News Comment 5 comments

On the DL interviewed ESPN analyst Steve Phillips yesterday for a wide-ranging discussion covering his current work as a broadcaster and former career as a general manager with the New York Mets. Phillips lends some insight into the various duties that come with a front office job, and also talks about how the industry has changed since he was a GM.

When asked if he might be interested in running a team again, however, Phillips cited how fast a bad move can change your fortunes. Who's an example he brings up to support his argument?

Even the best general managers – we see Dave Dombrowski who has won World Series Championships, releasing Gary Sheffield. He’s got Dontrelle Willis hanging around his neck like an albatross right now. I still think Dave Dombrowski is one of the best General Managers out there.

Timo Perez is also mentioned late in the podcast, as he was the butt of an April Fool's joke Phillips helped put together in their Mets days.

The whole interview is definitely worth your time, as Dan Levy always does a nice job of keeping a conversational flow and bringing up many questions on people's minds. (Yes, they do talk about those mock GM press conferences Phillips did back in 2005.) You can download the podcast at the On the DL website or from iTunes.

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Philips....

sweats Detroit…not that I disagree with him here, but remember he also said Dontrelle Willis was going to win Comeback Player of the Year this season and Bonderman was going to win the Cy Young a couple years ago. Nothing wrong with loving Detroit but let’s keep that in mind :)

by Detroit4lyfe on Apr 3, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As endorsements go...

I can think of better backers for a GM to have than Steve Phillips. He’s pleasant enough on television, but he says lots of things that reveal why he’s no longer a team’s decision maker.

by cloud wall on Apr 3, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DD has a nice track record but!

DD does well bringing in young talent and has the right people in place for the Draft. DD forward thinking is not too good. If a player was a star 5 year ago (Gary, Renteria, DW) he will sign them. Signing average players at best( Inge, Jones, Robertson) to long term contracts is the wrong way to good. Neglecting the bullpen over the last couple of years is also a major flaw. He need to stick to signing stars and keep developing prospects and draft well. Take a page from the Twins organizations then add a few dollars.

by Barry2 on Apr 3, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His opinion doesn't count...

He’s a grade A Tiger homer.

Make no mistake; DD was great in Florida. Great. In Detroit, his tenure has been disastrous. That’s right, one fluke season doesn’t count. Presided over 2003 and 2008, the two most embarrassing seasons in franchise history, handed out stupifying contracts to mediocre players, and on this day the franchise is in as much disarray as it was when he took over. The positive pollyanas can fall back on 2006 and reminisce as if they actually won the da** thing, I refuse. The Tigers remain one of the most inefficient franchises in the game and that falls on the general manager.

by BigDaddyJC on Apr 3, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DD deserves a lot of credit

Maybe a few of you guys didn’t live through the Bo Schembechler embarrassment or the Randy Smith era, but DD is one of the best in the game and we’re extremely fortunate that he stays loyal to Detroit.
Think about what he’s accomplished here: He inherited a Smith regime that was devoid of major and minor league talent. He traded the only chips he had (Weaver/Redman) and rebuilt the farm system to one that is competitive at all levels of the organization.

He brought his third franchise to the the top of the game, while battling severe financial constraints (Expos – most of their talent left, of course – R. Johnson, L. Walker, P. Martinez, etc./Marlins/Tigers). After making a run last year, when everyone was calling them the “best team in the game” preseason, he’s managed to revamp the roster again, despite a few bad contracts on the books. The guy drafts extremely well (compare his drafts to Smith’s before him) and has balls to make a tough call (firing Randy Smith, Alan Trammell / releasing Gary Sheffield, Damian Easley, Dmitri Young / trading Jeff Weaver, for Miggy, etc.) and he remains one of the best in the business. Period. His goal is winning above all else, within he financial limits. There’s a lot of teams that can’t say that.

As for BidDaddyJC’s comment, 2003 was cleaning house from Randy Smith! Sure, DD has a few bad contracs, as all teams do, but think of what he inherited in 2003: Juan Gone, B. Higginson, J. Thompson, M. Anderson, D. Easley, T. Clark, G. Jefferies, etc…now THOSE were bad contracts!!! And 2008 we were pre-season favorites to win the World Series! He doesn’t play the game, dude, he just assembles the talent!! As for “inefficient”…what the heck are you talking about?!? As mentioned, their organization is competitive and winning at all levels. The system finds gems “out of nowhere” every year: Zumaya, Guillen, Polanco, Galarraga, Minor, Robertson, Bonderman, Larish, Perry , Porcello, Verlander, etc. are all either his draft picks or low-risk acquisitions.

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by rings on Apr 3, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs