By just about any metric, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke has earned a pink slip. The proud franchise has spiraled to an embarrassment, on his watch. Executives have been fired for less.

But in what would be a sign of further mismanagement, being terrible may not be a fireable offense (even though 8-8 was for Jim Harbaugh). If it is true that Baalke is safe, as reported by Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, then that is not the best news for the 49ers’ recovery.

The player personnel guy must be able to evaluate skill positions. NFL teams can’t win without a good quarterback, and a good quarterback still needs good receivers.

But if Baalke must stay, if he has so ingratiated himself into Jed York’s good graces, the minimum the 49ers should do is to add to the skills of the front office.

Giving Baalke full authority has left the 49ers a one-dimensional front office. Under him, the 49ers’ player acquisitions are exclusively shaped by his paradigm. Hunches and gut instincts. Bargain-shopping tactics. Quantity over quality. Old school values centered on leather-helmet toughness.

It hasn’t worked. Baalke’s approach undervalues skill and dismisses the need for dominant players. The 49ers need to at least diversify the philosophies in their brain trust.

The way to do that and keep Baalke, if York must: hire someone else to the front office. Ideally, hire somebody to plant between Jed York and Baalke. They need a football expert who could at minimum vet Baalke’s thinking and require he answer some tough questions. They need someome who can bring new or proven ideas to the table, inject some wisdom into Baalke’s process. They need someone who can identify and win over free agents.

It has to be someone credible. It has to be someone with presence. It has to be someone with experience at analyzing the top talent.

Why would they come in and not pick their own GM and head coach? Well, they might eventually. But the best hope is someone who has been there and done that, established reputationally, and don’t need that. A premium price might have to be paid. But some could be okay with that in the same way Jerry West was fine with being the resident expert for the Warriors.

York, if he can’t stomach firing his guy (and indicting himself for choosing Baalke as his guy), he should at least do what’s best for the franchise and bring in another meaningful voice. If that means giving this new voice some assurances, such as they will have veto power over Baalke, then do it. Some names:

Tony Dungy

A Super Bowl champion coach and Hall of Famer. He knows quarterbacks. He knows roster development. He knows how to win.

Key strength: he has the demeanor and personality to handle the York and Baalke dynamic. It would take a certain guy to step between them. One way is to get a dominant, “I got this, step aside” kind of exox. York probably won’t go for that. The other way is the amenable, peace-making savvy figure who can get the job done while leaving Baalke feeling empowered.

Dungy is also a good front man who can speak for the team and convey the vision. He does TV so you can put him on. He can deal with the media. The 49ers could use an injection of professionalism.

Dungy has said he doesn’t want to coach anymore. But doing some architectural work to help rebuild a proud franchise might be enticing.

Bill Cowher

Like Dungy, an accomplished coach who has not been pried back to the sidelines. But maybe a front office gig gets him back in the game.

Cowher won Super Bowls with the Steelers using a model similar to the one Baalke likes: defense, toughness, grinding teeth. It stands to reason that if Baalke was being forced to work with someone, it might go down easier if it’s someone he can vibe with.

Cowher clearly isn’t pining to get back in, which might help. Maybe the 49ers’ legacy, which he almost assuredly respects, is enough of a draw. Maybe he is fine with a Jerry West-consultant type feel, which allows Baalke to still take the lead with Cower being a sounding board, advice giver and authoritative vote. With veto power.

Mike Shanahan

OK, that might not work. They really don’t need another alpha male in the mix.

Nick Caserio

The director of player personnel in New England. That alone is enough for him to outright replace Baalke. But if York really wants to shake things up and keep Baalke, luring Caserio would be a huge get. Cleveland and Detroit couldn’t pull off. York could brag about that.

Why would Caserio leave? More power. More money. A chance to build his own. The 49ers would have to hope the bait is enticing, as it is for most. It might not work. Might be a tough sell, going from the stability of the Patriots to the mess that is the 49ers.

But if it does, he has shown he has been willing to work with a dominant personality in play Bill Belichick. So he should not be intimidated by the Baalke/York stuff.

The question is what would be the next role up for him if Baalke is in the picture? Is it him being the 49ers version of Belichick while Baalke serves in the “director of player personnel” role that Caserio does now. That’s more of a low key, behind the scenes role for Baalke, which might fit better — keeping the VP title and salary of course.

Caserio may want Baalke out altogether. But it’s worth a try. The 49ers could use some Belichickian ways.

To be clear, none of this is better than simply starting over. Caserio, or Louis Riddick, or whoever is next in line for their own shop.

But if Baalke stays, it can’t be business as usual. With his draft track record and the last two seasons, even he should be willing to accept a new structure. Especially since most in his shoes lose their job.