Nov 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins vice president & general manager Dan Jennings (left) and president baseball Operations Michael Hill (right) right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (center) pose for a photograph after their press conference at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
5. Dan Jennings – Miami Marlins
Dan Jennings has been with the Marlins since 2002, when he was hired on as the VP of Player Personnel. He was promoted to Assistant GM in 2007, before moving up to General Manager at the end of the 2013 season.
This means, of course, that we have to give at least a little credit to Jennings for the Marlins’ World Series title in 2003. After all, he was a member of the staff for two seasons by the time they hoisted the trophy in October, so he deserves a pat on the back.
Anything more than that, on the other hand, would seem a little much.
Since Jennings was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2007, the Marlins have floundered (pun intended). They’ve failed to reach the postseason since that magical run in 2003. They’ve also never managed to win more than 87 games, a feat they accomplished in 2009 when they finished 6 games back in the NL East.
The Marlins have really been a model of inconsistency. There’s frequently the signing of a splash free agent (a la Jose Reyes) that’s made for no reason other than to draw fans. Ozzie Guillen was hired in 2012 to manage the team only to last a single season. The team has drifted along without any real vision for the franchise’s future. It’s true all of this can’t be laid at Jennings’ feet, but it’s not exactly a blue ribbon, either.
One thing the Marlins and their GMs have managed to do, though, is put together one heck of an outfield. Sure, they may be light on young talent in their minor league systems, but with Stanton, Ozuna, and Yelich running around on that outfield, there’s at least one bright spot.
Next: Number 4