The little team that could needs a GM who can
The PEBA is looking for a GM to take over the
Tempe Knights. Tempe has been the feel-good story of the PEBA since their
dreadful first year of play. The Knights are far and away the smallest market team in the league. Refusing to use that as an excuse, Tempe rose to glory on the arm of
Markus “Fireworks” Hancock, the #1 selection in the
2008 draft. Fireworks became the preeminent pitcher of his generation. He won three straight Golden Arm awards and earned Tempe the Rodriguez Cup in 2012.
Flash forward a year and a half to mid-2014. Having extended themselves to the max to win their championship, management realized that drastic measures were necessary to move the team forward. Fireworks was deal to the
Bakersfield Bears in a
massive trade involving 10 players, five draft picks and cash. Gone, too, is All-Star SP
Conan McCullough; his departure via free agency netted the team two high draft picks. Another mainstay of the rotation,
Barney Sharp, was moved to Manchester along with top bat
Jason Kirkland for
promising minor league talent.
Clearly, it was an off-season of upheaval for the team, yet Tempe has not allowed the youth movement to prevent them from being competitive. As of May 19, the Knights stand at .500, 4.5 GB of the last wild card spot. How amazing would it be if, after all the tumult the organization has been through, it manages to conduct its rebuild while still contending for the playoffs? It seems the Knights have designs on just such a plan.
An incoming GM will have to think on his toes. The PEBA 2014 Amateur Draft will be held live next Saturday, May 7. Tempe holds six selections in the first two rounds. The choices made here will undoubtedly shape the team for seasons to come. You could be the man to make these pivotal choices.
Join us and start shaping Tempe's future. We're looking for clever-minded candidates who enjoy writing and participating in an active baseball community. You may be just the man for the job!