Dodgers Hire Gerry Hunsicker as Senior Advisor, Baseball Operations

Ned Colletti announced Thursday that the Dodgers have added Gerry Hunsicker to the front office as the Senior Advisor for Baseball Operations. Hunsicker will be entering his 35th year in Major League Baseball in 2013.

"“Gerry brings a wealth of senior level experience and knowledge that will assist baseball operations at all levels,” said Colletti."

Stan Kasten has repeatedly spoke about how the Dodgers are delving back into the international market, and right away they made a big splash this summer by signing Cuban defector Yasiel Puig to a $42 million seven-year deal. The Dodgers have also met with young Japanese pitcher Shohei Otani. Hunsicker will assist Kasten and Colletti with the Dodgers as well as support international scouting and development, professional scouting, and minor league development.

Gerry Hunsicker joins Dodger senior management. Photo: AP

Hunsicker’s previous position was that of Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays which he held since 2005. While with Tampa Bay, Hunsicker not only helped elevate the operations team in Tampa Bay to the successful level it is now, but he also worked internationally to make a name for the Rays in countries such as Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Columbia, Brazil, as well as Europe and Asia.

Ned Colletti will benefit from Hunsicker’s expertise since he is a former GM himself. As a General Manager of the Houston Astros from 1996-2004, the team had a record of 793-665.

Hunsicker played college baseball at St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania where he obtained a bachelor’s degree. He also has a M.S. in management from Florida International University.

It seems like Hunsicker was looking for a new challenge. After Ned Colletti reached out to him with an invitation to join the Dodgers, Gerry obliged. I don’t think his hiring will threaten the job of Ned Colletti since we heard about Colletti’s probable contract extension not too long ago. If anything, Hunsicker’s expertise coupled with Kasten’s experience will definitely help Colletti become a stronger and smarter GM. The team’s new international goals are very positive as well, and Hunsicker will be valuable in recreating an international presence from the Dodgers which was eroded down to nothing during the McCourt years. The Dodgers are making moves to not only strengthen the team on the field but also to strengthen the management.

It’s refreshing to see the baseball talent and minds that now desire to be part of this renewed team. There was a time when both players and personnel ran as far away as they could from McCourt and company. The transition is still fluid, but at least now the path looks much Bluer.