Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

by mjmarble on Nov 6, 2007 12:05 PM EST

The Sporting News has named Mark Shapiro the Executive of the Year for the second time in 3 years, according to the PD.

I can't say I'm surprised by this, although its great to hear. Limited payroll + great team that overcomes obstacles + surprise players + playoffs = Exec of the Year.

Congrats to Shapiro. Give that man a raise!

Tweet Comment 34 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Congrats, Shap Daddy!

by JulioBernazard on Nov 6, 2007 12:55 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Ooooh, this is gonna really tick off E5.

by talonk on Nov 6, 2007 1:00 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Totally desrving. Suck it, Billy Beane. When do we get books and media praise all about Shap?

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Nov 6, 2007 1:25 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

I'd love to read that book. Beane is a great GM, there's no doubt. But I'd love to see what it's like to exploit market inefficiencies when everyone else knows what you're doing. A modern update to Moneyball.

by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2007 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Um...you know Beane is still doing this, right?

by Kos @ Let's Go Tribe! on Nov 6, 2007 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Yeah, and he traded for some kid, some pitcher ... what's the name? Dan Harem?

by emd2k3 on Nov 6, 2007 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Yeah, that Mike Piazz signing worked out real great for him, too. And his offense is sooo good.

The difference between Beane and Shapiro is that Shapiro has built his team around a solid young core, while the A's have somewhat of a core, Beane's MO is largely just signing guys off the srcap heap to one year deals every year. Nothing about that takes particular foresight. I will give him credit for developing great pitchers, though.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Nov 6, 2007 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

"signing guys off the scrap heap" is a little too simplistic. Its which guys he signs and which ones he passess on. One of the best (i.e. most productive) pick ups of last year was Jack Cust. Everyone else had a chance at him, but it was Beane who yanked him.

by hans on Nov 6, 2007 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

I agree, and perhaps I did oversimplify a bit. My point is,though, that guys like Cust are not exactly "core" players that you can build a team around. Beane seems to be a bit behind in that category, IMO.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Nov 6, 2007 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

maybe its not important to have "core" guys. Its a nice sticking point that Shapiro has made, but really whats the difference if a "core" player hits 30 HRs or a "picked off the scrapheap" player hits 30 HRS. Shapiro's use of the "core" players helps build team identity and team cohesion, the former being a selling point to fans and the latter being a potential additive factor to overall team performance, but how much of a factor is debatable, and certainly not as important as physical abilities.

by hans on Nov 6, 2007 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

The idea of a core is that you have 5-8 of them, more if you can. You're not going to build a core from the scrap heap, you'll just add to it.

The scrap heap guy who hits 30 HR also is (a) less likely to remain cheap and uner control, and (b) less likely to do it again (because he's older).

by Jay on Nov 7, 2007 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

I get what you are saying.

by hans on Nov 7, 2007 1:25 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

The A's are rebuilding. If you posed this question back in 2002, you would have said that WE had no core other than Sabathia. It's not really fair to judge Beane based solely on the current roster.

Personally, I don't think Beane is a great drafter, but that's really his only weakness (and he's probably still in the top 7). He's going to tear down that A's team soon, and they're going to get a lot in return thanks to smart deals he made when they were retooling. Hell, even now, a "core" that includes some combination of Harden, Haren, Street, Buck, Swisher, Barton, Blanton, Ellis, and Duchscherer isn't bad for a rebuilding/retooling team.

by Kos @ Let's Go Tribe! on Nov 6, 2007 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

I think that the bad side of Billy Beane is exemplified by J.P. Ricciardi. It's more a testament that Billy Beane is able to compete with the resources he has after seeing Ricciardi stumble.

Gator fans have so much in common with Yankee fans. Minus the history and championships, of course.

by gahnki on Nov 6, 2007 10:09 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

possible bad side I should say

Gator fans have so much in common with Yankee fans. Minus the history and championships, of course.

by gahnki on Nov 6, 2007 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Riccardi has certainly stumbled in a few areas, but they've also been incredibly unlucky with key injuries to key players. I root for them, because Baltimore is stupid, and TB doesn't have the pitching, but a playoffs without the Yanks and Red Sox would be a blessing from above.

by hans on Nov 6, 2007 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

The problem I have with Ricciardi is his idea of contending and rebuilding at the same time. A majority of his FA signings seemed like a waste of money, because Toronto wasn't going to compete with the core they had. It's almost like Ricciardi was put in a position of money, and then forgot everything he learned before.

Gator fans have so much in common with Yankee fans. Minus the history and championships, of course.

by gahnki on Nov 9, 2007 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Yes.

Perhaps I should clarify. I don't want a book centering on just Shapiro. But on Shapiro, Beane, Ricciardi, any of them. A lot of what Beane did in Moneyball was aided by an element of surprise, if you will. A lot of GMs either didn't know or didn't care about the advantages of Beane and DePodesta's statistical analysis. The question this hypothetical second book would raise to each one of them is, "What are you exploiting now that you feel no one else is?" It would especially be interesting if several GMs were going in different directions: Latin America, a certain draft strategy, platoons, defense, etc.

Of course, Theo would not allowed to be in this book. It's too easy for him.

by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2007 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Arbitrage situations, when there are any, don't last long these days in any market. The flow of information is too swift. I don't see statistical arbitrage (like, adding high OBP guys when no one is looking) as something that's very likely anymore.

Beane is well aware of this (or else Moneyball wouldn't have been published), and so I don't think he would view this as a tragedy of the commons, because as it catches on it may have the long term effect of reducing wasted salary and the median cost of talent. Like, you can tell a veteran to f*** off because he's no better than replacement level and makes more than league minimum. I could be getting ahead of myself, but if this keeps up, maybe the bar entry into Super-2 status will be raised.

by homelytourist on Nov 6, 2007 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

In other words, Beane benefits in some ways from other GMs behaving as he does. It might even force some major changes in the way the business end of baseball is goverened in the future.

by homelytourist on Nov 6, 2007 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

If you want to talk about an overrated GM, Terry Ryan is holding on line two.

by mkwng @ Let's Go Tribe! on Nov 6, 2007 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

The real Executive of the year never wins it. Shapiro should have won the executive of the year when he traded Colon and pulling in one of the best trades a Cleveland team has ever pulled off. That said he wasn't the executive of the year this year. When people vote for these things they look at team records not how a executive made small but strong moves to strengthen the organization as a whole. Shapiro signed a few minor free agents and did the usual drafting job (fair to slightly above fair). The teams record improved because Victor became a better defensive catcher, Peralta returned, Carmona came out of no where, C.C pitched like a Cy Young and the bullpen was a surprise. None of this was a direct result of any work Shapiro did this year.

My wish list. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd Cabrera to SS and go get Jason Bay. LGT resident kinesiologist

by E5 on Nov 6, 2007 2:23 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

You're right, when draft picks or minor league signings pan out years after the fact, they should retroactively award these things. Because that's easy.

And how do you know how Shapiro did in the draft this year? Is this the Miss Cleo in you coming out again?

by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2007 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

So, who should it have been?

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Nov 6, 2007 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

You should know better than to ask E5 questions. He simply won't respond.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Nov 6, 2007 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Exactly, he is a classic basher. This sucks, that sucks. Never anything really constructive.

But I bet he'd just give it to Cashman or Epstein, because you know, they have $$ to throw around. Don;t forget, that is what makes a team excellent. To spend exorbanent amounts of $$ every year. ...

Yeah, that's the ticket.

by talonk on Nov 6, 2007 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

you're kidding. i know you are. nobody is really this dumb.

by ironmanatee on Nov 6, 2007 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Dare I say it ....

HIRE SHAPIRO

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Nov 6, 2007 2:37 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

More like, Fire Antonetti!

by Toxicadam on Nov 6, 2007 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

Exec of the Year ... and a smokin' wife.

Some guys have all the luck

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Nov 6, 2007 3:20 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

I may not have much, but I have a better head of hair than Mark Shapiro.

by emd2k3 on Nov 6, 2007 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

I can't believe I'm about to do this, but I think E5's point is somewhat valid. If I'm not mistaken, his argument is that Shapiro is an outstanding exec, it's just that it was more his work in earlier years that lead to this year's spectacular team than it was anything he did this year. I think it's true, a GM will win exec of the year if his team did really well that year, but if he made some amazing moves to rebuild his team and, in that rebuilding year, the team only won 70 games, he won't get much attention. Three years later, however, when those moves pan out, said GM gets a lot of credit.

Basically I think he's saying that he should have gotten his media attention (not from us, we've been giving him credit forever, but from the media) when he made his bold moves, not when they pan out (or don't).

Either way, it is really nice and fun to be a fan of a team that has a Shapiro at its helm. You (as the fan) can have complete confidence that he won't go out and make any overwhelmingly bad moves. Yes, he won't ever be perfect, but he'll never give Barry Zito $127M or whatever he got.

GO TRIBE!

- Jake

by jakesinger777 on Nov 6, 2007 4:12 PM EST reply actions

Re: Shapiro Named Exec of the Year

The proof will always be in the pudding, so to speak. If all of Shap's 'bold moves' would come to naught -- he wouldn't win any awards, 70 wins or 96 wins.

So I understand what E5 is saying, but that doesn't mean it's right.

by emd2k3 on Nov 6, 2007 4:20 PM EST up reply actions