Slusser: Billy Beane named Executive of the Year

dr. scott points out…“Most interesting part is Susan Slusser, the new head of the BBWAA, taking shots at the trolls in the comments… fun stuff!”

A’s general manager Billy Beane has been named the Sporting News’ Major League Baseball Executive of the Year for the second time, and Beane’s manager, Bob Melvin, said, “It’s not a surprise. Everyone this was a lock. Billy had an amazing year, and it was all year long, from the offseason trades he made all the way through the season. He nailed it, the whole year.”

Beane’s team had the lowest payroll in the league, at $55 million. He traded away three All-Star pitchers last winter, and expectations for the team weren’t just low, they were dismal. As it turns out, though, those offseason deals brought in key pieces such as outfielder Josh Reddick, starters Jarrod Parker and Tommy Milone and reliever Ryan Cook.

...“There was no move too small if it could increase productivity,” Melvin said, citing the regular swapping out of backup infielders to get the one swinging the bat best at the time, from Adam Rosales to Eric Sogard to Brandon Hicks. “All those subtle things worked. It was an amazing year – I can’t remember a better one by a general manager.”

The A’s won the AL West on the final day of the season, providing one of baseball’s best storylines. They fell to Detroit in the division series, but Oakland had to open on the road, despite having the better record, and also had to face Justin Verlander twice in the five-game series.