Orioles Hire ‘Director of Strategy’ from Astros

[justD]

The jury is still out in what that title means. The news broke on twitter by the Astros’ writer for The Athletic:

Here’s Kevin Goldstein’s reaction: 

“I just found out about this by reading this tweet. Brendan is not only really brilliant, he's also one of the most heartbreakingly good human beings I've ever worked with. I'm so happy for him. I can't stop smiling.”

 

[Moose Milligan]

Director of Strategy?  They waited this long to hire one?  That explains EVERYTHING!

Playoff bound, baby!  

[wildcard]

Of Course Elias knows him from the Astros. 

Change in Strategy:

Step 1: Buy a metal trash can

[jabba72]

Strange job title.  Have no idea what to make of this. 

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

34 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Director of Strategy?  They waited this long to hire one?  That explains EVERYTHING!

Playoff bound, baby!  

This organization is a rudderless ship no more!

[Frobby]

I hear he has a theory that outscoring the other team is good.   

I wonder if “strategy” means in-game strategy, or some longer term strategy.   

I find it interesting that Kevin Goldstein “can’t stop smiling.”   Is moving from the Astros to the Orioles that great a thing?

 

[wildcard]

He does player evaluation like Luke but with more experience.

[Frobby]

7 hours ago, wildcard said:

He does player evaluation like Luke but with more experience.

Doesn’t sound like it to me.    

[Can_of_corn]

9 hours ago, Frobby said:

I hear he has a theory that outscoring the other team is good.   

I wonder if “strategy” means in-game strategy, or some longer term strategy.   

I find it interesting that Kevin Goldstein “can’t stop smiling.”   Is moving from the Astros to the Orioles that great a thing?

 

It sounds like a promotion. 

With him having economics as part of his responsibilities at his last job I'm guessing it is long term strategy.

Honestly it sounds like the type of position that, if your team does well, will get your name mentioned when GM spots open up.

[Orioles0615]

10 hours ago, wildcard said:

Of Course Elias knows him from the Astros. 

Change in Strategy:

Step 1: Buy a metal trash can

This guy was probably in charge of the wiring of the hidden camera

[LookinUp]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

It sounds like a promotion. 

With him having economics as part of his responsibilities at his last job I'm guessing it is long term strategy.

Honestly it sounds like the type of position that, if your team does well, will get your name mentioned when GM spots open up.

I have no idea, but econ degrees tend to come with significant modeling experience.

One guess re: strategy is development of pitch mix/sequence strategies for our pitchers and advance scouting of other team's pitchers.

[Aristotelian]

11 hours ago, Frobby said:

I hear he has a theory that outscoring the other team is good.   

I wonder if “strategy” means in-game strategy, or some longer term strategy.   

I find it interesting that Kevin Goldstein “can’t stop smiling.”   Is moving from the Astros to the Orioles that great a thing?

 

I can't imagine in game strategy would be a full time job, plus isn't that the manager's job? Sounds more like Assistant GM to me based on the guy's background. 

[Can_of_corn]

6 minutes ago, LookinUp said:

I have no idea, but econ degrees tend to come with significant modeling experience.

One guess re: strategy is development of pitch mix/sequence strategies for our pitchers and advance scouting of other team's pitchers.

My guess:  Outlining breakdown of spending over future seasons in an attempt to maximize the value of the budget.

[Camden_yardbird]

If he was a player valuation and economics guy then he was involved in payroll and contracts.

As a director of strategy I would think this signals that the Orioles are ready to spend money and want to do it with a director in place whose sole job it is to make sure the money works over the long term.

This is both a good and a bad sign.  Good because it signals a long term spending strategy.  Bad because WTF were they doing for the last two years?  Maybe their $10 million an off season budget didn't require that.

The conspiracy theorist in me says that someone higher than Elias saw the Lyles signing and told Elias he better get a player valuation guy because he clearly doesn't have the skills.

[LA2]

22 minutes ago, LookinUp said:

I have no idea, but econ degrees tend to come with significant modeling experience.

Maybe the reason why Goldstein said "heartbreakingly good."