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MontrealExpos · 02-01-2025, 09:18 PM

The Athletic
April 6, 2024
By Jonathan Callahan

Inside the Rebuild: Fred Bergeron on the Expos’ Vision, Challenges, and the Path Forward

MONTREAL – Fred Bergeron knows the skeptics are out there. He hears the questions. A 44-year-old GM with no MLB front office experience, taking over a franchise that just came back from the dead, why should anyone trust him to lead the Montreal Expos into the future?

For Bergeron, this job is personal. He still remembers the 1995 Expos, a team that, much like himself, was full of potential but ultimately forced to play the long game. That year, Bergeron, then a teenager, sat in the stands at Olympic Stadium watching Pedro Martinez take the mound, Rondell White make highlight-reel catches, and Moises Alou drive in runs. The Expos had survived the heartbreak of 1994, but the writing was on the wall, their best players would soon be gone.

“I remember watching Pedro that year and thinking, ‘This guy is special, but how long is he really going to be here?’” Bergeron recalls. “Montreal fans have been through that pain before seeing something great, only for it to be ripped away. That’s why we have to build this the right way.”

A Different Kind of Hire

Unlike most GMs, Bergeron doesn’t come from a traditional MLB front office background. His reputation was built in international scouting, analytics, and player development, an unconventional path that has already raised eyebrows around the league.

“I understand why some people are skeptical,” Bergeron says. “I’m not coming from a World Series-winning front office, but I’ve spent my career identifying talent, understanding development systems, and creating opportunities where others might not look.”

His focus on non-traditional pipelines is already shaping the Expos' early moves. The organization made significant changes to its minor league system, bringing in a wave of young talent from Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, reinforcing Bergeron’s belief that Montreal must be aggressive in finding untapped potential.

“We’re not going to outspend big-market teams right now,” he explains. “But what we can do is be smarter, work harder, and find value where others might not see it.”

The Reality of a Rebuild

The Expos entered the season with low expectations, and Bergeron makes no attempt to sugarcoat the situation.

“This is an evaluation year in every sense,” he admits. “We need to see what we have not just at the major league level but across the entire organization. Who fits into our long-term vision? Who can grow with us? That’s what this season is about.”

He acknowledges the tough road ahead, especially as the team endures the inevitable growing pains of a rebuild. But he insists that the worst mistake would be rushing to make short-sighted moves just to accelerate the process.

“There are no shortcuts,” Bergeron says firmly. “We’re not going to make desperation trades for short-term gains. If we do this right, we’ll be building something that lasts.”

Navigating the Trade Market

One of the biggest questions surrounding Bergeron is how he will approach trades. With a roster mixed with veteran placeholders and young talent, the Expos could become active sellers by midseason.

“Everything we do is about maximizing long-term value,” he says. “That means being open to opportunities, whether it’s acquiring prospects, buying low on guys we believe in, or using financial flexibility to our advantage.”

That last point is crucial. Unlike some rebuilding teams, the Expos aren’t financially handcuffed, a reality that could allow them to take on contracts in exchange for assets.

“If there’s a way to use our financial situation to bring in real talent, we’ll explore it,” Bergeron confirms. “But we’re not going to chase bad contracts just to say we’re spending.”

Why Fans Should Trust the Process

For Montreal fans eager to see a contender sooner rather than later, Bergeron understands the frustration. He knows that patience is not an easy sell, especially after years of waiting for baseball’s return.

“I get it,” he says. “Fans want results, and they want them fast. But the worst thing we can do is make moves that look good today and hurt us tomorrow. If we stick to the plan, this team is going to be competitive for a long time.”

And what does that plan look like?

“We’re going to build an elite player development system that produces talent consistently. We’re going to be aggressive internationally. And when the time is right, we’re going to make the moves that put us over the top. But we’re not skipping steps.”

The Road Ahead

The Expos won’t measure success this season by wins and losses. Instead, Bergeron’s focus is on identifying core players, improving the farm system, and laying the foundation for sustained success.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” he says. “But if we do it right, this isn’t just about bringing baseball back to Montreal. It’s about building a franchise that competes for championships.”

For now, the Expos remain a work in progress. But if Bergeron has his way, the patience will pay off.

“People will see what we’re building soon enough,” he says with confidence. “We’re just getting started.”

02-01-2025, 09:18 PM	#9
MontrealExpos Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2025 Posts: 27	The Athletic April 6, 2024 By Jonathan Callahan Inside the Rebuild: Fred Bergeron on the Expos’ Vision, Challenges, and the Path Forward MONTREAL – Fred Bergeron knows the skeptics are out there. He hears the questions. A 44-year-old GM with no MLB front office experience, taking over a franchise that just came back from the dead, why should anyone trust him to lead the Montreal Expos into the future? For Bergeron, this job is personal. He still remembers the 1995 Expos, a team that, much like himself, was full of potential but ultimately forced to play the long game. That year, Bergeron, then a teenager, sat in the stands at Olympic Stadium watching Pedro Martinez take the mound, Rondell White make highlight-reel catches, and Moises Alou drive in runs. The Expos had survived the heartbreak of 1994, but the writing was on the wall, their best players would soon be gone. “I remember watching Pedro that year and thinking, ‘This guy is special, but how long is he really going to be here?’” Bergeron recalls. “Montreal fans have been through that pain before seeing something great, only for it to be ripped away. That’s why we have to build this the right way.” A Different Kind of Hire Unlike most GMs, Bergeron doesn’t come from a traditional MLB front office background. His reputation was built in international scouting, analytics, and player development, an unconventional path that has already raised eyebrows around the league. “I understand why some people are skeptical,” Bergeron says. “I’m not coming from a World Series-winning front office, but I’ve spent my career identifying talent, understanding development systems, and creating opportunities where others might not look.” His focus on non-traditional pipelines is already shaping the Expos' early moves. The organization made significant changes to its minor league system, bringing in a wave of young talent from Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, reinforcing Bergeron’s belief that Montreal must be aggressive in finding untapped potential. “We’re not going to outspend big-market teams right now,” he explains. “But what we can do is be smarter, work harder, and find value where others might not see it.” The Reality of a Rebuild The Expos entered the season with low expectations, and Bergeron makes no attempt to sugarcoat the situation. “This is an evaluation year in every sense,” he admits. “We need to see what we have not just at the major league level but across the entire organization. Who fits into our long-term vision? Who can grow with us? That’s what this season is about.” He acknowledges the tough road ahead, especially as the team endures the inevitable growing pains of a rebuild. But he insists that the worst mistake would be rushing to make short-sighted moves just to accelerate the process. “There are no shortcuts,” Bergeron says firmly. “We’re not going to make desperation trades for short-term gains. If we do this right, we’ll be building something that lasts.” Navigating the Trade Market One of the biggest questions surrounding Bergeron is how he will approach trades. With a roster mixed with veteran placeholders and young talent, the Expos could become active sellers by midseason. “Everything we do is about maximizing long-term value,” he says. “That means being open to opportunities, whether it’s acquiring prospects, buying low on guys we believe in, or using financial flexibility to our advantage.” That last point is crucial. Unlike some rebuilding teams, the Expos aren’t financially handcuffed, a reality that could allow them to take on contracts in exchange for assets. “If there’s a way to use our financial situation to bring in real talent, we’ll explore it,” Bergeron confirms. “But we’re not going to chase bad contracts just to say we’re spending.” Why Fans Should Trust the Process For Montreal fans eager to see a contender sooner rather than later, Bergeron understands the frustration. He knows that patience is not an easy sell, especially after years of waiting for baseball’s return. “I get it,” he says. “Fans want results, and they want them fast. But the worst thing we can do is make moves that look good today and hurt us tomorrow. If we stick to the plan, this team is going to be competitive for a long time.” And what does that plan look like? “We’re going to build an elite player development system that produces talent consistently. We’re going to be aggressive internationally. And when the time is right, we’re going to make the moves that put us over the top. But we’re not skipping steps.” The Road Ahead The Expos won’t measure success this season by wins and losses. Instead, Bergeron’s focus is on identifying core players, improving the farm system, and laying the foundation for sustained success. “There’s a lot of work to do,” he says. “But if we do it right, this isn’t just about bringing baseball back to Montreal. It’s about building a franchise that competes for championships.” For now, the Expos remain a work in progress. But if Bergeron has his way, the patience will pay off. “People will see what we’re building soon enough,” he says with confidence. “We’re just getting started.”