After 13 years as the Milwaukee Brewers general manager, Doug Melvin is set to transition to an advisory role within the front office.
The organization announced the move Tuesday on its official Twitter account. The Brew Crew will begin to search for a new GM, although it is unclear who is in the running at this point.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, though, Milwaukee is expected to place a great deal of emphasis on analytics during the interviewing process:
Melvin seemed content with the opportunity to remain with the Brewers in some capacity, and he revealed that a plan has been in place to make a change since early in the 2015 campaign, per Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
We’re trying to be ahead of the rumors and speculation. At some point there has to be a transition from [owner] Mark [Attanasio]‘s standpoint and for myself.
I think it’s time to start thinking about giving Mark the opportunity finding his next generation of a general manager. I love what I’m doing; I love Milwaukee. I’d like to see this through as much as I can and get back to playoff baseball. In May, we sort of came to an agreement. It’s a transition for me and my life and a transition that Mark will have to undertake, also.
The 63-year-old Canadian has led the Brewers to a pair of playoff appearances during his tenure, including a trip to the National League Championship Series in 2011.
Milwaukee hasn’t reached the playoffs since then, though, and is currently a disappointing 48-65 in 2015, which is the third-worst mark in the NL.
Melvin’s final big move as Brewers general manager came prior to the deadline when he traded outfielder Carlos Gomez and starting pitcher Mike Fiers to the Houston Astros in exchange for four prospects.
The Brewers are counting on the continued development of their farm system to lead them back to contention, and if the organization is able to land a new-age general manager who understands how to take advantage of trends and statistics, then Melvin may very well have left them in good shape with regard to a return to prominence.
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