Jocketty began working for the Oakland Athletics beginning in March 1980, when he was hired by owner Charlie Finley as Director of Minor League Operations and Scouting.

During the 1994 season Jocketty served the Colorado Rockies for a brief stint as their assistant general manager of player personnel.

He was instrumental in bringing new manager Tony La Russa, whom he had worked with in Oakland, to St. Louis.

Team owner Bill DeWitt cited divisiveness in the baseball operations front office as the reason for Jocketty's dismissal.

He was named the next general manager of the Reds after Wayne Krivsky was fired April 23, 2008.