Anthony F. LaCava (born May 21, 1961) is an American professional

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executive Executive ( exe., exec., execu.) may refer to: Role or title * Executive, a senior management role in an organization ** Chief executive officer (CEO), one of the highest-ranking corporate officers (executives) or administrators ** Executive dir ...

for the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...

, currently serving as their Senior Vice President, Player Personnel. In 2015, he served as the interim

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and vice president of baseball operations for the

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(MLB), succeeding

Alex Anthopoulos Alex Anthopoulos (born May 25, 1977) is a Canadian professional baseball executive, currently working as the general manager and president of baseball operations for the Atlanta Braves. He was the senior vice president of baseball operations and ...

. LaCava was later replaced by Ross Atkins.

Playing career

LaCava attended Central Catholic High School in

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, and played for the school's baseball team. As a senior in 1979, Central Catholic won the state championship. He signed with the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

as an undrafted

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in 1983. He hit .302/.386/.409 in 21 games for the 1983

GCL Pirates The Florida Complex League Pirates are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Pirates. The team plays its hom ...

in a utility role and was 0-for-11 with two walks for the Greenwood Pirates. In 1984, LaCava batted .153/.268/.161 in 46 games for the Macon Pirates to end his playing career.

Executive career

In 1989, LaCava was hired by the

California Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Since 1966, the team has pl ...

as a scout, where he remained for 10 years. In 2000, he joined the Atlanta Braves as their national scouting supervisor. Later that year LaCava joined the

Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos () were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in the National League (baseball), National League ...

as director of player development. While working with the Expos, LaCava became acquainted with advanced metrics through contact with Baseball Prospectus writers. As a result, he used advanced stats like xFIP and BABIP in his analysis of a player. He joined the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

in 2002 as a national crosschecker. In the fall of 2002, the Toronto Blue Jays named him as an assistant to the general manager, then J. P. Ricciardi. He was moved up to assistant GM in October 2007.

also made LaCava the director of player development in 2009. LaCava was considered a candidate to become GM for the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

, but turned down their offer in order to stay with the Blue Jays. After the 2015 season, Anthopoulous opted not to remain with the Blue Jays. On November 2, 2015, LaCava was named the Blue Jays' vice president of baseball operations and interim general manager by new team president Mark Shapiro. Shapiro hired Ross Atkins as the permanent general manager on December 3, 2015, and LaCava was promoted to senior vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lacava, Tony 1961 births Living people Toronto Blue Jays executives Montreal Expos executives Cleveland Indians scouts California Angels scouts Gulf Coast Pirates players Greenwood Pirates players Macon Pirates players Sportspeople from Pittsburgh Baseball players from Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh) alumni