At approximately 12:05 PM today, the Milwaukee Brewers announced on Twitter and Brewers’ General Manager Doug Melvin announced on WTMJ 620 that Melvin, 63, will be leaving as GM and switching to an advisory role in the front office.
That process begins now, as they will reportedly be targeting someone younger with analytics experience. The Brewers have hired executive search firm Korn Ferry to help find their next GM. With a rebuild looming in Milwaukee, Brewers’ owner Mark Attanasio affirmed that this hire is about the next 5-10 years of Brewers’ baseball.
“I think it’s time to start thinking about giving Mark the opportunity finding his next generation of a general manager. I love what I’m doing; I love Milwaukee. I’d like to see this through as much as I can and get back to playoff baseball.” ~ Doug Melvin
The announcement does not come as a surprise as there has been talk all season about Melvin switching roles. Many thought he could become President of the team, but his advisory role will take effect once the Brewers hire a new GM. There is no timetable for the hire nor Melvin’s transition, but it can be safely assumed that the new GM will be hired by the beginning of the 2016 season. Attanasio has made it clear as well that Craig Counsell is the team’s manager moving forward, and candidates will be told that. Brewers’ scouting director Ray Montgomery is an in-house candidate to watch.
This move is about Melvin’s transition toward retirement and the approach toward a rebuild, not about the team’s performance this season. During his 13 seasons as the Brewers’ GM, Melvin will be remembered for big trades involving C.C. Sabathia and Zack Greinke, signing Ryan Braun over Prince Fielder to a massive contract, and, most importantly, bringing the playoffs back to Milwaukee after 25 years of misery. The Brewers are 1004-1052 since 2003 with Melvin in charge.
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