Tony LaCava is the Assistant GM of the Toronto Blue Jays. LaCava is also the Director of Player Personnel and his responsibilities cover amateur scouting and professional scouting. LaCava is considered a rising star in GM circles, has a very outgoing personality and is said to be an extremely nice person. LaCava is said to know everybody around the league and that he is extremely well liked which is a great plus for a GM to have so many good connections.

Tony LaCava first started out as a scout for the Angels for 10 years before moving on to become the Atlanta Braves National Scouting Supervisor in 2000. He then became Director of Player Personnel for the Montreal Expos in 2001, was hired as Scouting Supervisor with the Cleveland Indians in 2002, before joining Blue Jays in 2003 as Assistant GM. In 2004 LaCava was then promoted to Director of Player Personnel with the Blue Jays along with being the Assistant GM. LaCava is considered one of the best talent evaluators in the league and would be the perfect GM for a rebuilding team that wants to build through the minor leagues. Baseball Prospectus ranked Tony LaCava #5 on their next best GM list.

Executives J.P Riccardi (Blue Jays GM), John Schierholtz (Former Braves GM), Mark Shapiro (Indians GM) and even Bill Bavasi when he was the Angels GM are said to have sweared by Tony LaCava when he worked for these teams. Tony LaCava is said to have suggested the Bartolo Colon trade to Mark Shapiro in 2002 that got them Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee from the Montreal Expos.

The Mariners have already contacted the Blue Jays to ask for permission to interview LaCava, according to Geoff Baker. Tony LaCava is a highly qualified candidate to be the next Mariners GM and should be considered one of the favorites for the job. If Chuck Armstrong and Howard Lincoln are looking for a GM that’s strengths are talent evaluation along with having extensive connections around the league then Tony LaCava is their man. 

J.P Riccardi on the left, Tony LaCava on the right.