Lucchino out as CEO?

TimScribble

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@BostonGlobe: Breaking: Larry Lucchino out as Red Sox CEO, @Dan_shaughnessy reports
 

soxhop411

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“@MikeSilvermanBB: Larry Lucchino to step down as president & CEO of Red Sox by end of the year. Sam Kennedy will replace him as president. Story online soon.”
 

soxhop411

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The Red Sox are on the verge of an historic shake-up, with the reign of president and CEO Larry Lucchino about to come to an end.

Brookline native Sam Kennedy, currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the ballclub, will replace Lucchino as president by the end of the year.









Unlike Lucchino, Kennedy's responsibilities will not include having a hand in baseball operations. The title of chief executive officer will remain unfilled for the time being.









The Red Sox have been exploring a succession plan from Lucchino for some time. With his contract expiring at the end of the year, the club finally decided the time was right for Lucchino's everyday responsibilities to come to an end. A key factor in the timing also was the club's desire to promote, and not lose, the next generation of leaders, topped by Kennedy, in the Red Sox' executive branch.

Lucchino, who will turn 70 years old next month, has been less visible over the past year, partly as a result of a serious motorcycle accident over the winter. He has also been deeply involved with the purchase of the Pawtucket Red Sox and their bid to build a new stadium in Providence, R.I. Lucchino's duties on the PawSox front increased with the death of the group's president, Jim Skeffington, in May.

Kennedy will formally assume his new duties as soon as the end of October but a transition of duties has already begun.


More (much more) at the link

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/clubhouse_insider/2015/08/larry_lucchino_to_leave_role_as_red_sox_ceo
 

bellowthecat

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Will be interesting to see if this leads to any fundamental changes in the way the Sox acquire talent.  I will say thank you to LL for the years of success and investment in the team, but I am glad he is stepping down now and giving the opportunity to lead this organization to someone else.  Big news that I think will be looked back on as the right time for him to go.
 

nattysez

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Unlike Lucchino, Kennedy's responsibilities will not include having a hand in baseball operations.
 
 
I wonder if LL, considering retirement anyway, is falling on the sword for his loyal employee.  The timing is odd unless you think of this as a reaction to the growing sentiment that Cherington's days have to be numbered (I believe the Globe had a column in the past day or two saying as much).   If LL is willing to take the fall for the team's recent failings, the public may be willing to give Cherington a couple more years to right the ship.  I predict a story or three implying that LL was behind the big-name signings in the off-season that include lines like "this gives Cherington a chance to spread his wings and rely only on the judgment of his staff."  
 

HriniakPosterChild

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bellowthecat said:
Will be interesting to see if this leads to any fundamental changes in the way the Sox acquire talent.  I will say thank you to LL for the years of success and investment in the team, but I am glad he is stepping down now and giving the opportunity to lead this organization to someone else.  Big news that I think will be looked back on as the right time for him to go.
 
This usually requires its own thread.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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nattysez said:
 
I wonder if LL, considering retirement anyway, is falling on the sword for his loyal employee.  The timing is odd unless you think of this as a reaction to the growing sentiment that Cherington's days have to be numbered (I believe the Globe had a column in the past day or two saying as much).   If LL is willing to take the fall for the team's recent failings, the public may be willing to give Cherington a couple more years to right the ship.  I predict a story or three implying that LL was behind the big-name signings in the off-season that include lines like "this gives Cherington a chance to spread his wings and rely only on the judgment of his staff."  
 
Of course, it's also possible that the bolded is, you know, true.
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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Wow. The architect of the Punto trade, on her the way out? Without a change in ownership? I can hardly believe this news
 

nattysez

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Michael Silverman ‏@MikeSilvermanBB  1m1 minute ago
John Henry: '15 Red Sox "huge disappointment'' and "We have begun transitioning personnel." Boston Herald will have more from him soon.
 
 
 
You don't need to throw Larry directly under the wheels, JWH.  
 
 
 
Savin Hillbilly said:
 
Of course, it's also possible that the bolded is, you know, true.
 
I was trying to be magnanimous in this time of thanks and reflection. 
 

joyofsox

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Rob Bradford:
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2015/08/01/sam-kennedy-to-replace-larry-lucchino-as-red-sox-presidentceo/

According to multiple reports, Larry Lucchino will be leaving his post as Red Sox president/CEO as early as the end of October.
 
Lucchino will reportedly be replaced by current Red Sox chief operating officer Sam Kennedy. The 42-year-old Kennedy, a Brookline native, is not believed to have a role in player acquisition in the manner Lucchino did since joining the club in 2002. ...
 
It has long been rumored that Lucchino would be stepping aside from his current post, with the longtime baseball executive — who will turn 70 next month — seemingly wanting to diminish his workload. The current president/CEO hasn’t been as visible this season, with much of his focus turned to the the purchase of the Pawtucket Red Sox and that organization’s quest to build a new stadium in Providence.
 
 
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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Bob Montgomery said:
Or if they want to attract a big time GM from the outside, they'll be able to give complete control.
This is how I interpret it. The new CEO will choose a new GM, who will choose a new manager.

[EDIT:] Between this news and the succession planning that must have preceded Werner running for Commissioner, it really feels even more like the Sox have been planning a serious shake-up.
 

soxhop411

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canderson said:
Could this perhaps be a Cherington power struggle victory since they say Kennedy won't have a role in acquisitions?
That's what I'm thinking. Give BC full control with as little input from ownership
 

soxhop411

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Unless they plan to go after Billy Beane in the offseason and give him the "head of baseball ops" role?
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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soxhop411 said:
Unless they plan to go after Billy Beane in the offseason and give him the "head of baseball ops" role?
Given the Forbes valuations prior to the last season-and-a-half of futility, I wouldn't even be surprised if the Sox owners would be willing to offer an equity stake to lure Beane.
 

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Buzzkill Pauley said:
Given the Forbes valuations prior to the last season-and-a-half of futility, I wouldn't even be surprised if the Sox owners would be willing to offer an equity stake to lure Beane.
He already has an equity stake in the A's. As much as I'd love to see it, I really don't think Billy is going anywhere.
 

Pilgrim

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I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that any star level Baseball Ops person they want to lure here would require the CEO/President role.  
 
Dave Dombrowski has still not signed an extension with the Tigers...
 

DJnVa

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
It doesn't really sound like a historic shake-up. More like a natural succession at the end of the season with a transition leading up to it.
 
 
Except for the replacement not having a hand in baseball ops. Which means more baseball ops power concentrated in other people. Which makes them more powerful.
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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Bob Montgomery said:
He already has an equity stake in the A's. As much as I'd love to see it, I really don't think Billy is going anywhere.
The difference is in the details.

If Beane's offered an equity stake in the Sox equalling the current value of his stake with the A's (with no new stadium deal pending), the question becomes which will be more likely to increase in value.

And, of course, how much more appealing a job it would be to deal with an ownership group actually willing to spend money up to the salary cap.

After all, the Sox have won 3 World Series since Beane turned them down. So have the Giants. The A's have won none, and they still play in the (literal) shithole called the Coliseum.
 

derekson

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
Or if they want to attract a big time GM from the outside, they'll be able to give complete control.
 
I think this makes more sense than handing the full reins to Cherington. The results over the past two seasons don't really show anything to support the idea that Cherington deserves more power over decision making. I suspect that they'll bring in a hot shot GM prospect to be "President of Baseball Operations". The question is whether Cherington gets to keep his titular GM job, while falling under the authority of a new President, or if he gets fired.
 

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Buzzkill Pauley said:
The difference is in the details.

If Beane's offered an equity stake in the Sox equalling the current value of his stake with the A's (with no new stadium deal pending), the question becomes which will be more likely to increase in value.

And, of course, how much more appealing a job it would be to deal with an ownership group actually willing to spend money up to the salary cap.

After all, the Sox have won 3 World Series since Beane turned them down. The A's have won none, and they still play in the (literal) shithole called the Coliseum.
Maybe he'll take it this time. But he turned down an offer to be the highest paid GM in the history of sports last time, so he's clearly not all about money. He also has said that he's not sure how well he'd deal with being mobbed by well meaning but strong opinioned Sox fans every time he goes to Starbucks. He also has twins he may not want to uproot. Bottom line, as frustrated as he sometimes gets out there, he's pretty damn comfortable.


EDIT--but regardless, there are going to be strong candidates from the outside if they offer full authority
 

twibnotes

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Bob Montgomery said:
Maybe he'll take it this time. But he turned down an offer to be the highest paid GM in the history of sports last time, so he's clearly not all about money. He also has said that he's not sure how well he'd deal with being mobbed by well meaning but strong opinioned Sox fans every time he goes to Starbucks. He also has twins he may not want to uproot. Bottom line, as frustrated as he sometimes gets out there, he's pretty damn comfortable.
Few thoughts on Beane:

- believe his daughter was also a factor in his decision to stay in Oakland. She has to be a good deal older now

- he may be frustrated by the A's inability to get a new park

- he probably wants a shot at a WS, and this pattern of moving soon to be expensive guys like Donaldson is unlikely to get him there
 

canderson

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derekson said:
I think this makes more sense than handing the full reins to Cherington. The results over the past two seasons don't really show anything to support the idea that Cherington deserves more power over decision making. I suspect that they'll bring in a hot shot GM prospect to be "President of Baseball Operations". The question is whether Cherington gets to keep his titular GM job, while falling under the authority of a new President, or if he gets fired.
A key is we really don't know how much of a role LL has had in the recent signings like Sandoval, the pitcher extensions, etc.

Without knowing that it's really hard to know how much blane each should take.
 

soxhop411

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
Maybe he'll take it this time. But he turned down an offer to be the highest paid GM in the history of sports last time, so he's clearly not all about money. He also has said that he's not sure how well he'd deal with being mobbed by well meaning but strong opinioned Sox fans every time he goes to Starbucks. He also has twins he may not want to uproot. Bottom line, as frustrated as he sometimes gets out there, he's pretty damn comfortable.


EDIT--but regardless, there are going to be strong candidates from the outside if they offer full authority
Didn't he turn it down the first time because his kids were really young?
 

BeantownIdaho

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HriniakPosterChild said:
 
This usually requires its own thread.
A. Do you really go around looking for one sentence in a paragraph long post to point out as needing it's own thread? 
 
OR
 
B. You really think that LL needs a thank you thread - If that is indeed correct you should start one. 
 

twibnotes

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
It was one of the reasons. That daughter is now grown up. But he's remarried and has twins that are still young.
Much easier to move for him now. His daughter, being from his prior marriage, would have been clear across the country.
 

fineyoungarm

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Buzzkill Pauley said:
This is how I interpret it. The new CEO will choose a new GM, who will choose a new manager.

[EDIT:] Between this news and the succession planning that must have preceded Werner running for Commissioner, it really feels even more like the Sox have been planning a serious shake-up.
Adios Allard Baird 
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
Maybe he'll take it this time. But he turned down an offer to be the highest paid GM in the history of sports last time, so he's clearly not all about money. He also has said that he's not sure how well he'd deal with being mobbed by well meaning but strong opinioned Sox fans every time he goes to Starbucks. He also has twins he may not want to uproot. Bottom line, as frustrated as he sometimes gets out there, he's pretty damn comfortable.


EDIT--but regardless, there are going to be strong candidates from the outside if they offer full authority
True. But additional to Beane there's also Dombrowski, as mentioned above. And, IMO even more preferable to either, Michael Girsch. And any number of other candidates.

This move opens the door to bring in a new paradigm.
 

fineyoungarm

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Buzzkill Pauley said:
True. But additional to Beane there's also Dombrowski, as mentioned above. And, IMO even more preferable to either, Michael Girsch. And any number of other candidates.

This move opens the door to bring in a new paradigm.
Buzzkill has to be correct. This is no mere changing of the guard. This is the first step in a wholesale house cleaning.  It's simple common sense. 2013 was the outlier. The 2011 collapse and last place finishes in 2012, 2014 and, probably, 2015 are the new norm for the team. That is untenable. Reagardless of the merits of potential GMs, the jewel in the crown is Beane. My bet is Henry wants him, period.
 

E5 Yaz

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Pilgrim said:
Dave Dombrowski has still not signed an extension with the Tigers...
 
^
 
Dombrowski would be solid. This makes you wonder whether the baseball ops guys were ordered to hold their cards at the deadline.
 

derekson

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Green Monster said:
 


 


If this is true, then Lucchino leaving has nothing to do with him being 70 years old.
 
 
I think most everyone perceived that line of explanations as mostly trying to help Lucchino save face after a decade plus of good service to Henry and the Red Sox.
 
I think the timing really lends credence to the thought that this is the beginning of a real organizational shakeup at the top. If you just wanted to transition quietly at President and give more power to Cherington, then you probably do it quietly in October. This amount of lead time points to a reevaluation of the entire front office, or at least the placement of someone new in charge.
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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fineyoungarm said:
Buzzkill has to be correct. This is no mere changing of the guard. This is the first step in a wholesale house cleaning.  It's simple common sense. 2013 was the outlier. The 2011 collapse and last place finishes in 2012, 2014 and, probably, 2015 are the new norm for the team. That is untenable. Reagardless of the merits of potential GMs, the jewel in the crown is Beane. My bet is Henry wants him, period.
I'd love to see what a CEO Billy Beane and GM Michael Girsch team could build together with the Sox lower minors depth and under-25 MLB talent as a starting point.

The A's and the Cards have just been such model franchises in terms of player evaluation and development.
 

fineyoungarm

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Buzzkill Pauley said:
I'd love to see what a CEO Billy Beane and GM Michael Girsch team could build together with the Sox lower minors depth and under-25 MLB talent as a starting point.

The A's and the Cards have just been such model franchises in terms of player evaluation and development.
Estimated value of the team usually is around 2.1 billion. 10% of the club should be attractive. Plus a % of the profits and salary.Yes, I am guessing. Yes, I know I should not.
 

Al Zarilla

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New hope for a new stadium plan in Oakland this week. Of course, it's not the first hoped for new stadium for the A's in the last 10 - 15 years. Beane might wait this one out though, and say "not interested" to any please come to Boston overtures. 
 
If you were looking for a sign that Wolff and John Fisher are serious about building in Oakland, this is it, short of a plan unveiling. It shows that ownership is serious, MLB is serious, and Oakland is the main focus. 
 
http://newballpark.org/
 

SoxLegacy

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For those of you touting Dombrowski, I ask why? In 26 seasons with 3 teams, he's got 6 playoff appearances (1 with Florida and 5 with Detroit), 3 division pennants (1 FLA, 2 DET) and 3 World Series, with the only win being the '97 Marlins. Throwing out the early years with the Expos still doesn't make me think he's any better than what we have now. 
 

JimBoSox9

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Guys, Billy Beane isn't coming to Boston. We've danced this dance before. At least wait for a rumor before going nuts.
 

derekson

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
Yeah, that package is a bit aggressive.
 
Something more like 1-2% equity seems more likely (~$20-40M in equity, plus whatever actual salary he'd get).
 

P'tucket rhymes with...

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Honest question for the Beane fans: what does he have up his sleeve at this point that the industry hasn't caught up to?  
 
My initial thought re: BB is that he's done a great job with the resources at his disposal in Oakland, although putting more money in his lap doesn't automatically mean greater success.  The coronation seems premature.
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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SoxLegacy said:
For those of you touting Dombrowski, I ask why? In 26 seasons with 3 teams, he's got 6 playoff appearances (1 with Florida and 5 with Detroit), 3 division pennants (1 FLA, 2 DET) and 3 World Series, with the only win being the '97 Marlins. Throwing out the early years with the Expos still doesn't make me think he's any better than what we have now. 
Mostly because I think the Sox would be better off keeping separate the CEO function from the GM function.

Dombrowski or Beane IMO would make a good CEO for a flagship team like the Red Sox, because the Sox current way of doing business hasn't been working consistently since 2009. There needs to be real change. And either one of them brings the gravitas of a Sandy Alderson or Pat Gillick, roughly.

OTOH, I would prefer to see a fresh voice running the day-to-day baseball ops as GM, who I would hope was not part of the Theo-era brain trust. The Cubs have too much a corner on that end of the market for me to feel that any real choice (Hoyer, Byrnes, etc.) would be much better than sloppy seconds.

Much better to start fresh, thus my suggestion of Girsch.
 

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Billy Beane is a stretch but would Theo be any more of a stretch? Let's assumeLucky is the reason he left, wouldn't Lucky leaving and the promise of more power and some equity be pretty enticing?
 

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Vegas Sox Fan said:
Billy Beane is a stretch but would Theo be any more of a stretch? Let's assumeLucky is the reason he left, wouldn't Lucky leaving and the promise of more power and some equity be pretty enticing?
Theo has a loaded young team, and the chance to break another, even longer drought. He's reveling in it and he's not going anywhere.