Reds should look at this division rival’s executive to replace Dick Williams

Could the Reds replace Dick Williams with Matt Arnold of the Brewers?

All signs point to the Cincinnati Reds replacing former President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams with current general manager Nick Krall. However, there are other names to consider. One of which is currently an executive with the Milwaukee Brewers; Matt Arnold.

Dick Williams abrupt resignation and the Reds likely attempt to retain the services of Trevor Bauer will expedite the process of finding his replacement. That said, while Krall is deserving the promotion, Cincinnati’s ownership should perform their due diligence before handing over the reins to the 42-year-old.

I’d suggest that the Reds take look at the Milwaukee Brewers Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager Matt Arnold. If any small-market franchise, in recent memory, has put together a winning team it the Brewers.

Led by President of Baseball Operations and General Manager David Stearns, who succeeded Doug Melvin in 2015, has led the Brewers franchise to a revival over the past five years. Executing the trade for Christian Yelich and signing the likes of Lorenzo Cain, Stearns has shown the type of baseball savvy necessary to be a top-level executive. Why not go after his protege?

Arnold has been with the Brewers for five years and the 2020 season was his second year as the team’s senior vice president and assistant general manager. Obviously, like Krall had done with Williams over the past two seasons, Arnold assisted Stearns in the day-to-day operation, roster construction, scouting and analytics.

Previously, Matt Arnold spent nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays organization as a front office executive. He was in charge of player scouting of a period of time and also the director of player personnel. Every baseball fan knows how cutting-edge the Rays front office has been over the years. Tampa Bay seems to get the most out of the talent within their organization.

Arnold also spent time, believe it or not, with the Cincinnati Reds. As part of the Cincinnati front office from 2003 to 2006, Arnold worked alongside former Reds general manager Jim Bowden and was the assistant director of professional scouting.

I fully expect the Cincinnati Reds to tab Nick Krall as the team’s President of Baseball Operations going forward, but it wouldn’t hurt to kick the tires on a few other possible successors to Dick Williams. Matt Arnold definitely merits at least a phone call, right?