Cardinals name Mozeliak new GM

Cardinals name Mozeliak new GM
Former assistant general manager promoted from within
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals decided to promote from within, naming John Mozeliak as general manager at a Wednesday afternoon news conference. Mozeliak will be the 11th man to serve as Cardinals GM.

He replaces Walt Jocketty, who held the top spot for nearly 13 years but was relieved of his duties on Oct. 3. Mozeliak was Jocketty's top lieutenant, serving as assistant GM for five years and as the interim GM after Jocketty was removed.

Mozeliak, who joined the Cardinals organization after the 1995 season, has experience in nearly every aspect of front office business. In recent years, he has specialized in working on contracts and procedures, and has dealt extensively with players and agents. Additionally, he worked in the scouting department and served two terms as scouting director.

Other candidates for the post included Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti, White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Diamondbacks assistant GM Peter Woodfork and former Dodgers GM Paul Depodesta. Antonetti had been considered a favorite for the job in recent days, but removed himself from the running late in the process

Instead of an outside name though, the Cardinals went with a man they know well -- and someone who ideally can smooth the differences between different aspects of baseball operations within the organization.

Jocketty was let go not so much for reasons of on-field performance but because of divisions within the front office. Mozeliak is well-liked and respected throughout the organization and should be able to work well with the various offices.