Cubs Scouting VP Dan Kantrovitz Reportedly Declined O’s GM Interview, Happy with Current Role
When news came out that current Cubs GM Carter Hawkins had interviewed for the vacant job with the same title in Washington, Cubs fans were almost universally supportive of the departure. Some believe there might be an opening in the front office regardless of the Nats’ choice, in which case an internal candidate could rise in the ranks. VP of Scouting Dan Kantrovitz quickly established himself as an exceptional talent evaluator, and he could provide the organization with a different point of view as Jed Hoyer looks to guide it to sustained success.
According to Marquee’s Bruce Levine, Kantrovitz opted against interviewing for the Orioles’ GM job despite being on their short list. The VP is reportedly “happy for now” with his current role, though one wonders how long the Cubs will be able to keep him around if his star continues to shine so brightly. Elevating him to GM to replace Hawkins should that spot open, or perhaps just tagging Kantrovitz with an assistant GM title and a raise, seems at least mildly likely.
If you’re wondering why Hawkins would be interested in what effectively amounts to a lateral move to a team with seemingly fewer resources, the answer is twofold. The most obvious is the possibility that, sort of like when Jason McLeod left the organization, it might not be totally his choice. I don’t necessarily think that’s the case, but I’ve also mentioned more than once that Hoyer might need a more aggressive voice in his ear.
Assuming this isn’t a matter of Hawkins being Mike Teevee to Hoyer’s Willy Wonka — Stop. Don’t. Come back. — there’s also the matter of another team’s GM job actually being a promotion. The Cubs have long engaged in “title inflation,” wherein their execs are effectively bumped up a level. For instance, most GMs have more control over baseball operations than Hawkins does or than Hoyer did when he was GM and Theo Epstein was the head honcho.
Whatever the case, Kantrovitz could be in line for a little more responsibility. The same could be true for Tyler Zombro, who was hired this past offseason as a special assistant in the pitching department after spending time as a pitcher in the Rays organization and with Tread Athletics. An announcement from Tread said Zombro would be “working closely with Cubs leadership in player acquisitions, leveraging his unique skillset to drive value,” which he’s certainly done so far.
Whether it’s rookies or retreads, the Cubs have found a great deal of success on the pitching front this season. Zombro is whip-smart and just turned 31, so he provides a more youthful perspective than most of the rest of Hoyer’s execs. He’s also got aspirations of running baseball operations somewhere, though he’ll probably need a little more seasoning before hitting the GM interview circuit himself. Like Kantrovitz, he’s someone the Cubs might need to bump up the ladder before another org poaches him.
We should start seeing some movement on this front fairly soon, as teams are going to want to have their front offices squared away before making all the requisite player-personnel decisions in the offseason.
