Melvin steps down as Brewers general manager
Melvin (left) when the Brewers hired Craig Counsell in May. (USATSI)
With the news that Doug Melvin is stepping down after 13 seasons, the Milwaukee Brewers are looking for a new general manager. An objective grade for Melvin’s tenure would be mixed. Melvin’s teams have gone 1,004-1,052 since he was promoted to GM at the end of the 2002 season, which ranks them 18th of 30 in MLB. The Brewers won at least 90 games twice, and reached the playoffs in 2008 (with CC Sabathia) and 2011 (when they lost in Game 6 of the NLCS to the Cardinals). They had not reached the playoffs since 1982.
The Brewers are 48-65 this season after sustaining a collapse down the stretch in 2014 that cost them a playoff spot. One should put all of that into the context of the Brewers having the smallest TV market in the majors and, this season, a payroll ranking 19th on Opening Day, which was a franchise record, reportedly.
Regardless of market size, the Brewers draw well at Miller Park. They were eighth in attendance in 2014 and are 13th this season with a bad team. All factors considered, Melvin was OK as a GM. The Brewers could have done worse.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Brewers owner Mark Attanasio already has a list of names in mind for Melvin’s replacement, and will begin seeking permission to talk to candidates, though the team will use the search firm of Korn Ferry to help with the process. Melvin will stay on as an adviser.
One certainty for the next GM:
Attanasio made it clear that he considers Craig Counsell the team’s manager and GM candidates will be told so.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) August 11, 2015
It’s not ideal for a new GM to not be able to pick his own field manager, but Counsell — who was hired in May — also probably deserves more time to be evaluated. The Brewers are in the beginning phase of a rebuild, Attanasio says, so there should be no hurry to eject the manager. After making playoff runs in the recent past, Milwaukee’s farm system isn’t overflowing with young talent; it ranked 19th by Baseball America in its most recent report. The Brewers rank 18 or 19th a lot of places, it seems.
In talking about rebuilding plan, Attanasio said they hope would be no more than three years. Acknowledged it took Cubs and Astros five.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) August 11, 2015
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