Pretend You're an MLB GM and We'll Guess How Much of a Risk-Taker You Are

SPORTS

By: Daniel Yetman

6 Min Quiz

Image: Keith Allison via WikiCommons

About This Quiz

The GM is one of the toughest roles in baseball. Above you, ownership looms over your shoulder and monitors your every move. One awful trade might be all it takes to get you canned. However, if you do nothing when your team is in a slump, your team's fans will get angry at you for not making any changes. Do you think you could handle the pressure? 

A general manager's contribution to a winning team often goes overlooked, but that wasn't the case with the revolutionary Billy Beane. Billy Beane's role in transforming the way baseball GMs looked at players was so iconic that his story got turned into the movie 'Moneyball' starring Brad Pitt. Beane is considered to be the pioneer of Sabermetric baseball, which uses statistical analysis to evaluate players as opposed to traditional stats like batting average. The result? Under Beane's management, an Oakland Athletics team with no business anywhere near the playoffs won a record 20 straight games and finished first in their division.

Every general manager has a different risk tolerance. We bet we can guess yours by your answers to these management decisions. Are you a born gambler or the type who likes to play things safe? Click start and let's play ball!

You have the number one draft pick. The scouting report says Bryce Baseballton has the potential to be the next Ted Williams but he's extremely injury-prone and may not develop. Albert Outfielder will likely be a good player for a long time but probably won't be an MVP. Who do you pick?

Advertisement

Would you rather be the GM for the Yankees (presumably high expectations, high stress) or the Miami Marlins (presumably low stress, low expectations)?

Advertisement

You're just below the luxury tax threshold, but you have a chance to sign the ace your team desperately needs. However, if you don't win the World Series, you'll likely be fired. What do you do?

Advertisement

What did you think about the Phillies signing Bryce Harper with a 13-year $330 million deal?

Advertisement

Ownership wants to hear your long-term plan to win a championship. How long is your long-term plan?

Advertisement

You're the GM of the Cleveland Indians, and this is your last season with your core player group. What do you do?

Advertisement

You're trying to lock up Nolan Arenado. What's the biggest contract you'll offer after his age 28 season?

Advertisement

You have a $100 million budget to work with (bottom third of the league). What do you do?

Advertisement

Your closer goes down with a torn UCL and needs Tommy John surgery. What now?

Advertisement

The Angels are dangling Mike Trout in front of you as trade bait and you need an outfielder. The asking price is steep, though. Do you bite?

Advertisement

After losing a 19-2 blow out, the fans are turning on you. Your job might be on the line. What do you do?

Advertisement

There's a pitcher in Japan tearing up the league overseas. He's being posted at $50 million for an MLB contract, but there are doubts that he'll be successful in the majors. Do you go after him?

Advertisement

Your fan-favorite center fielder is hitting .350/.430/.650 but from what you hear he's bad for the team chemistry. What do you do?

Advertisement

You lose in game 7 of the World Series but are getting most of your team back next year. It's not obvious where you can upgrade. What do you do?

Advertisement

Your pitching coach has been with the team for 35 years. He's now in his 70s, and you hear that he might be slipping. What do you do?

Advertisement

There's a big name free agent on the market, but he spent last season serving a PED suspension, and he's not well-liked by the media. Do you take a chance on him?

Advertisement

Would you rather win one World Series and then finish last nine years in a row or make the playoffs 10 years in a row with no World Series?

Advertisement

What's more important to you, winning now or building a team that will compete for a decade?

Advertisement

There's a 19-year-old second baseman tearing it up in AA ball. Do you call him up early or let him develop more?

Advertisement

You have a 41-year-old DH still under contract for $31 million per season, but he's hitting .198. What do you do?

Advertisement

You trade off most of your top prospects to go all-in on a World Series. You lose in the AL Division Series in five games. What do you say to yourself in retrospect?

Advertisement

It's mid-season and your team is underperforming. What do you do?

Advertisement

What's the minimum you require to feel like the season was a success?

Advertisement

In the last year of his contract, your 29-year-old third baseman hits a career-high .342 with 52 home runs. What do you do?

Advertisement

Would you rather have eight starters who are superstars but extremely injury-prone or eight good players who stay healthy?

Advertisement

What's your opinion on teams who purposefully tank to be competitive down the road?

Advertisement

There's an all-star quality starter asking for a 6-year, $220 million contract. You think that's too much, but if you don't sign him, your divisional rival will. What do you do?

Advertisement

Your team has been in last place the past five seasons. What do you do?

Advertisement

You're sitting at .500 at the trade deadline. Are you buying or selling?

Advertisement

You need to cut salary. Do you trade your stars or your depth?

Advertisement

Explore More Quizzes

About Zoo

Our goal at Zoo.com is to keep you entertained in this crazy life we all live.

We want you to look inward and explore new and interesting things about yourself. We want you to look outward and marvel at the world around you. We want you to laugh at past memories that helped shape the person you’ve become. We want to dream with you about all your future holds. Our hope is our quizzes and articles inspire you to do just that.

Life is a zoo! Embrace it on Zoo.com.