Dodgers Fill Assistant General Manager Role
Recently, Andrew Friedman commented that he would not be hiring a new general manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Friedman cited the chaotic nature of business lately within the Dodgers.
However, on Sunday the Dodgers have hired an assistant general manager. That man is Jeff Kingston, who has served as the assistant general manager in Seattle since Jerry DiPoto was hired in 2015. Kingston will also serve as vice president of the Dodgers.
Dodgers have hired Jeff Kingston as Vice President and Assistant General Manager. Previously held same title with Mariners.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 10, 2018
Among other duties with the Mariners, new Dodgers assistant GM Jeff Kingston oversaw Seattle's analytics department.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 10, 2018
Greg Johns covers the Seattle Mariners for MLB.com and had glowing things to say about the new member of the Dodgers front office.
https://twitter.com/GregJohnsMLB/status/1071941666490134529
So, who is Jeff Kingston?
Jeff Kingston’s Background
- Graduated from Dickinson College with an economics degree.
- Went to work for the San Diego Padres in 2001 under Theo Epstein as an intern.
- Became Director of Baseball Operations for San Diego in 2002 at the age of 24.
- Moved to the Seattle Mariners as Assistant GM
- Remained in that role with Seattle until the present, overseeing the analytics department.
Obviously, Kingston boasts an impressive resume from his past. Highlighting that resume is having analytics experience – something the Dodger front office values very greatly.
It’s probably safe to assume that Kingston is a name who operates quietly behind the curtains. All the while doing very important things that make the on-field product shine, without a ton of fanfare in the media.
By all accounts, the Dodgers just kicked off the 2018 Winter Meetings with a winning hire.
Friedman Comments on Future of GM Position
Dodger opportunities to improve for 2019;
o 8th/9th inning strong closer
o Quality starter #3
o Catcher number 1 starter at least untill minor leaguer is ready
o high % on base sb runner lead off hitter good second baseman
o ss if Segar is not ready , maybe Segar at 2b inter is arm is ready.
Batting coach that can teach hr swingers to just make contact with 2 strikes and go the other way on shift.
Another nerd! The Dodgers need a Baseball professional who can look at a player and evaluate if a bad player can be helped or not. Jeff Kingston is a economist you can read a computer report, but his resume says nothing about evaluating a player by just looking at him. Besides his resume shows he worked for bad teams. Just because he has analytics experience does not mean it was good. A person like Kevin Kennedy who played, coached, and managed is what the Dodger front office needs.