Padres’ Interview Dodgers Logan White For GM

The search for the next Padres’ General Manager continued yesterday when the team interviewed Dodgers’ Vice President of Amateur Scouting Logan White following the news that Cubs’ Jason McLeod had pulled his name from consideration earlier in the day.

White is the third candidate considered by Padres’ Mike Dee and Ron Fowler, He is the second interviewed in a week since Byrnes was let go.

White spent two years with the Padres’ organization from 1993-1995 as a West Coast supervisor, but he would moved on to Baltimore where he spent seven years in the same position.

However, since being in the Dodgers’ organization in 2010, he has helped discover some excellent talent for Los Angeles. According Dennis Lin of UT San Diego, White oversaw the draftings or signings of 22 players who have appeared with the Dodgers. The list includes Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Chad Billingsley, James Loney, Russell Martin, Jonathan Broxton and Dee Gordon.

Being with the Dodgers, White could provide the Padres’ front office with a better understanding of utilizing the payroll since the Dodgers’ have one of the highest in MLB.

Some GM’s are more successful developing players with a smaller budget, but they are unsuccessful when given an increase. Both Byrnes and former GM Kevin Towers showed this mismanagement of money several times with the signing of pitcher Josh Johnson this year and Jim Edmonds back in 2007.

It is difficult to determine whether White would be a good fit in San Diego, but with former Dodgers’ owner Peter O’Malley having a stake in the Padres’ organization, he does know whether White would be able to handle the job.

The Padres’ have one of the best minor league systems in MLB, so they do have the personal to develop and scout players, but they need to find the right candidate who can balance both free agent signings and player development. White has an impressive resume but does he have the experience to head the Padres?