It is important to have a well-run front office at the MBL. There are definitely different styles to succeed and win a World Series. Whether the plan is to shell out as much money as possible or use an excellent farm system and good drafting strategies, according to these executives, these are the best-ran franchises in the MLB:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers, run by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Freidman, have been one of the most consistently great teams in baseball. Since Friedman took over in 2014, the Dodgers have made the playoffs every year, winning a World Series in 2020.
The Dodgers have signed the top free agent almost every time the newest offseason comes around. Whether it was Trevor Bauer, which went poorly almost instantly due to issues off the field, 2020 MLB MVP Freddie Freeman, or the already legendary Shohei Othani, the Dodgers have gotten the job done like no other. Anything other than multiple World Series wins in the next 5–10 years will be a massive let down.
2. Tampa Bay Rays
Call it good drafting, good development, or just some Tropicana Field magic, the Tampa Bay Rays are an elite front office led by President Eric Neander.
The most impressive part is that the Rays do this on a small budget. Unlike the Dodgers’ massive payroll and attempting to create the baseball version of those Kevin Durant and Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors teams, the Rays do this on a small budget of $98 million—joining the Pittsburgh Pirates ($84 million), Oakland Athletics ($62 million), and Miami Marlins ($96 million) as the only teams under $100 million.
3. Atlanta Braves
The Braves, led by Alex Anthopoulos, have done an excellent job building a strong contender. “Alex does a tremendous job,” one executive said. “There’s nobody more engaged, open, and honest about things. He’s had stops along the way and adapted and learned over time.” Through good trades and timely contract extensions, the Braves have retained a core of Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley while being led by generational superstar Ronald Acuna Jr, who they have locked up until 2029.
4. Cleveland Guardians
President Chris Antonetti has been with the organization since 1999 and has helped keep it one of the more consistent units over the last 25 years. The Guardians have won the AL Central four times since 2016 and have been a staple of success behind franchise stars Shane Bieber and José Ramírez.
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles had three atrocious seasons from 2019–2021, during which they were the MLB’s best punchline. They are now by far the scariest up-and-coming team in baseball. Behind excellent drafting and selecting top young guns such as Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, and Ryan Mountcastle, the Orioles have turned their franchise around. Also, making the move for Corbin Burnes to get a veteran ace pitcher on the roster was an excellent move.
6. Milwaukee Brewers
As one executive puts it, “The Brewers are consistently good on a small payroll.” This is very true. Despite General Manager Matt Arnold sending Corbin Burnes to Baltimore to cut some cap space, the Brewers have started 15-8 this year, using a mix of a great farm system and a strategy that is similar to the “Moneyball” playbook.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks
President Mike Hazen has rebuilt this group into a World Series contender after last season’s surprise appearance. Despite being in a Dodgers-dominated division, the D-Backs were able to sweep them 3-0 last October, making fans across the world love them. Trading Jazz Chisholm Jr. for Zac Gallen has paid off, along with good drafting, such as the Corbin Carroll pick.
8 (Tie). Minnesota Twins
Behind President Derek Falvey, the Minnesota Twins have a winning culture and have been able to consistently adapt to and overcome their surroundings. “Everybody who goes there loves it,” one executive said. The team is stacked up with solid baseball players with a hard-nosed winning mindset, and it has paid off, as they are the reigning AL Central winners.
8. Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers and General Manager Chris Young have done an incredible job of just paying a bunch of stars, culminating in winning the 2023 World Series. Signing superstar shortstop Corey Seager to a 10-year/$325 million deal after an off year with the Dodgers has paid off about as much as any contract ever up to this point. Seager was their best player in their World Series run last fall. Signing Jacob DeGrom could work if he ever plays baseball again after a third UCL tear, but then taking a different Met in Max Scherzer paid off as well.
10: New York Yankees
General Manager Brian Cashman has been at the helm of the most successful franchise in American Sports since 1998. The “Yanks” have not been under .500 since 1992, and a lot of this is due to Cashman. Late owner George Steinbrenner happily shelled out the money that his son Hal has not always reciprocated. The Yankees are in one of their longest droughts, not winning a title in 14 seasons.
Cashman has made massive moves in this time, acquiring superstars in Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, and Juan Soto, aside from also drafting 7th modern Yankee captain and MLB superstar Aaron Judge, who Cashman re-signed to a massive deal before almost losing California-Native Judge to the San Francisco Giants or San Diego Padres. The Yankees owe Judge a few World Series rings. Let’s see if Cashman can come through.
