It’s rumored that former San Diego GM Kevin Towers will be joining the New York Yankees front office in the near future. Today in the San Diego Union- Tribune, Tim Sullivan catches up with Towers to discuss the next phase of his career and some parting thoughts on the one he just left behind.

There are a couple of key quotes in this article that stand out to me. It provide me more validation how not all GM are executives even though that is the primary responsibility of the position. It also makes me think if Jed Hoyer succeeds he might be the first of his pedigree to actually build a franchise. It’s something that even the great Theo Epstein hasn’t done.

Take for example failed Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta and his method of communicating:

DePodesta, a more analytical and solitary figure, communicated so often by e-mail that Towers complained that he didn’t type fast enough to keep up his end of the correspondence. And though DePodesta’s analysis was largely responsible for identifying the hidden value in future closer Heath Bell, front office colleagues say Towers eventually grew to distrust him, and that the strain in their relationship became more pronounced after Moorad replaced Alderson.

I never like individuals that refuse to pick up a phone and talk. I am all for technology and communication, but nothing is a substitute to hearing the voice on the other side of the line or meeting them in person. I suspect DePodesta’s personality was one of his failings in Los Angeles. Take the contrasting description of Towers who was more about candor, building networks, and resourcefulness. Unfortunately for Towers the new wave of baseball is leaning towards what Padres CEO Jeffrey Moorad called a “strategic management style”.

The end result of Towers dismissal in San Diego was due to the team wanting a more “structured and systematic analysis to the baseball operation.” That seems to be code for statistical analysis which is why Theo Epstein protégé Jed Hoyer was hired. Funny, during Towers tenure as GM the Padres won four divisions and a pennant. His pedigree includes actually playing the game, scouting, and even coaching. Individuals like DePodesta and Epstein are Ivy League graduates. At least Hoyer has a background as a collegiate pitcher and coach. Although Towers correctly points out that Hoyer has never managed people or a department.

The biggest aspect of the GM role is developing relationships and managing personalities. Perhaps Jed Hoyer will be one of the first to bring old school principles with modern analysis to the front office. I find you have one or the other. Often the “modern thinkers” act more as general managers and less as executives. Until they learn that people are running this game, not numbers, you will see more failures like Paul DePodesta. Even “boy wonder” Epstein walked into a situation readymade with a deep pockets owner and solid player infrastructure in place. I often think Epstein gets too much credit for the Sox success and not enough blame for their failures. Will Jed Hoyer be a quality face of the franchise or another stat guy that proves he belongs in the backroom running numbers for the guy in charge? Only time will tell, but the track record so far isn’t in his favor. Remember, a real top notch GM is also an executive.

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Jed Hoyer, Jeffrey Moorad, Kevin Towers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Paul DePodesta, San Diego Padres, Theo Epstein