Howard Lincoln and Chuck Armstrong had the right idea. As much as it pains most Mariners fans to consider that statement to be true in any context, it is when examining the thought process behind the hiring of general manager Jack Zduriencik—who was brought in as a draft and development guru, and tasked with building a club that'd contend year after year after year.
"Jack is extremely well-respected throughout baseball," Lincoln said at the time of Zduriencik's hiring. "His track record in recognizing and developing young talent in Milwaukee was instrumental in the Brewers steady improvement over the past several seasons.