Ever since the end of the first non-playoff season in Santa Barbara/Frostbite Falls franchise history, it had been rumored that some changes would be made within the organization. Owner/GM Andrew Haynes was expected to relieve Manager Mike Noakes of his duties and go with a fresh face.
But the Squirrels, who are expected to field a much younger team in 2008, decided to stick with Noakes.
"He is a great teacher of fundamentals, and we expect to have a few young guys who will need that kind of instruction," said Haynes. "We think the collapses at the end of almost every season had more to do with the players getting complacent and the older guys getting tired of Noakes' strict style. So, because we're getting rid of some of the "old guys" (Barry Bonds, for instance), we felt Noakes should stay and continue his run of success."
With the attempt to get younger, the Squirrels did make a few changes in the front office. Haynes is stepping down from his GM post and has chosen former Milwaukee Brewers Director of Scouting Jack Zduriencik (dur-EN-cik) to take over the day-to-day operations.
"Jack has a great eye for young talent," said Haynes. " He built the Brewers from nothing to a great young team. I am very pleased to have him running this team. Hopefully he'll put the focus on acquiring young, cheap talent that will give us a chance to win for a long time coming."
With that, however, Brian Sabean stepped down from the Assistant GM position he had held for the entire history of the franchise.
"We'll miss Brian. I hoped he would stay and help Jack, but he decided he couldn't work under a younger guy who had a different philosophy. He told me he had given 5 years to this franchise and thought he should have been rewarded with the top title, but since he was passed over he decided to seek new opportunities," said Haynes.
The search is still on for a new Assistant GM, with rumors of Tampa Bay Rays Executive VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman being the top candidate.
But the Squirrels, who are expected to field a much younger team in 2008, decided to stick with Noakes.
"He is a great teacher of fundamentals, and we expect to have a few young guys who will need that kind of instruction," said Haynes. "We think the collapses at the end of almost every season had more to do with the players getting complacent and the older guys getting tired of Noakes' strict style. So, because we're getting rid of some of the "old guys" (Barry Bonds, for instance), we felt Noakes should stay and continue his run of success."
With the attempt to get younger, the Squirrels did make a few changes in the front office. Haynes is stepping down from his GM post and has chosen former Milwaukee Brewers Director of Scouting Jack Zduriencik (dur-EN-cik) to take over the day-to-day operations.
"Jack has a great eye for young talent," said Haynes. " He built the Brewers from nothing to a great young team. I am very pleased to have him running this team. Hopefully he'll put the focus on acquiring young, cheap talent that will give us a chance to win for a long time coming."
With that, however, Brian Sabean stepped down from the Assistant GM position he had held for the entire history of the franchise.
"We'll miss Brian. I hoped he would stay and help Jack, but he decided he couldn't work under a younger guy who had a different philosophy. He told me he had given 5 years to this franchise and thought he should have been rewarded with the top title, but since he was passed over he decided to seek new opportunities," said Haynes.
The search is still on for a new Assistant GM, with rumors of Tampa Bay Rays Executive VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman being the top candidate.
