A Very Tasty Ruben

I live in a small city 750 miles from my big city upbringing. I work in non-profit and earn hundreds of thousands less per year than my college classmates. So I'm feeling Cliff Lee right now. He made a lifestyle choice, opting for quality over quantity. He chose happiness over money. 

The real question raised by Lee's return to the sibling-loving city is this: "Is Ruben Amaro, Jr. the best GM in baseball?"

The five-year pact with Lee is a coup in itself, but it's the American Revolution in context. Amaro correctly deduces that the mountaintop is within reach, but the weather will turn foul after two or three tries. The manufacturer's warranty on Utley's contract, Howard's reflexes, Rollins' health, and Oswalt's fastball all run out eventually, so Amaro is bulking up for the assault today. If he has to cast a few drachma to the wind in years four and five, it's a small price to pay for sticking his flag at the precipice.

Amaro is a Philly native, a Major League scion and eight-year veteran himself and a 1987 Stanford graduate. He was a respected assistant GM under newly-minted Hall of Famer Pat Gillick, taking over immediately following their 2008 World Series championship. Building a champion is one thing; Amaro is constructing the modern version of a dynasty.

Because Dominic Brown is no Jayson Werth, at least not right now, and Carlos Ruiz is no Carlos Ruiz (his '10 BA was 41 points higher than his previous career high), the Phillies' offense may hiccup a bit in 2011, absent another deal. But what's the difference whether they win 8-1 or 3-1? With Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswalt, middle relievers need not apply. Baseball Think Factory estimates that this is the second greatest foursome entering the season of all time, after the '76 Mets of Seaver, Matlack, Koosman and Mickey Lolich. (Let that serve as a cautionary tale, Phanatics.)

(The great Jayson Stark has a comprehensive review  of this pitching staff's place in history.)

There are now many GMs in baseball who can discern the real value of players and pass on overwrought demands, which Amaro did with Werth. What sets him apart is his ability to understand when to spend too much. Getting Halladay and Lee below market price has enabled him to secure Howard's services a bit richly, swap out for Oswalt and add salary while the turnstyles are clicking. It won't always be that way, but it'll be a great run while it lasts.

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