So....who is the new GM/head of baseball ops?

[nvalvo]

If they don't go Cora, here's a list of sitting GM's I'd like them to go after.

Make AJ Preller say no.

Whaaaaaat? Did I miss a joke?

Not only did he scam the Red Sox by sending falsified medicals in the Pomeranz deal, he is in the midst of squandering the prime years of an astonishing collection of young talent with his inability to build a team that makes any sense. He "wins" every other offseason, runs huge payrolls, trades prospects... but if the Sox finish over .500 this year, Bloom will have built as many .500+ teams in four years in Boston as Preller has in eight seasons in San Diego. Seriously: is there a more disappointing/chronically underperforming team than the Padres over the last decade?

The grass isn't always greener. The Padres aren't quite the Angels, but they're pretty close.

 

[zenax]

Alex Cora. He knows all of the systems in place, has been pretty hands on with player development since he's come back, and has expressed a desire to have an upward trajectory from a managerial role.

In addition, The Red Sox have a fairly large percentage of Latinos (or whatever the proper term now is) on the MLB roster and in their farm system. There certainly is some place for him on the club.

 

[nvalvo]

Thank you. Preller is a lot of action without a lot of results. This is his ninth full season at the helm in San Diego and they've had just two seasons above .500 (2020 and 2022). He's a deal-maker for sure. Hasn't really gotten the franchise anywhere.

The Padres just sent their entire farm system to the Nationals for Soto in a win-now move, and... are a fourth place team, four games better than the rebuilding Nationals, despite a payroll $59m over the threshold. They have Soto for one more season, but will be paying Bogaerts, Machado and Tatis a combined ~$80m in 2033, when they will be 40, 34, and 41.

Meanwhile, the Nationals look to be pretty well set up, with Keibert Ruiz and CJ Abrams establishing themselves and James Woods (the other big SD prospect in the trade) tearing up AA. Their commitment to the retired Stephen Strasburg ends at the end of this season, while Corbin's deal ends next season. They'll have money to spend, young up the middle stars, and no big commitments.

Mike Rizzo just signed a big extension, probably in acknowledgment of how successful the rebuild looks.

 

[B H Kim]

The Padres just sent their entire farm system to the Nationals for Soto in a win-now move, and... are a fourth place team, four games better than the rebuilding Nationals, despite a payroll $59m over the threshold. They have Soto for one more season, but will be paying Bogaerts, Machado and Tatis a combined ~$80m in 2033, when they will be 40, 34, and 41.

Meanwhile, the Nationals look to be pretty well set up, with Keibert Ruiz and CJ Abrams establishing themselves and James Woods (the other big SD prospect in the trade) tearing up AA. Their commitment to the retired Stephen Strasburg ends at the end of this season, while Corbin's deal ends next season. They'll have money to spend, young up the middle stars, and no big commitments.

Mike Rizzo just signed a big extension, probably in acknowledgment of how successful the rebuild looks.

I agree that things are looking up for the Nationals and their haul in the Soto trade looks promising, but Strasburg is under contract through 2026, with $80 million in deferred payments after that.

 

[YTF]

How about O’Halloran’s job?

He is the GM or was until today.

 

[Harry Hooper]

McAdam has an article on MassLive with many of the names mentioned upthread. He also listed Tim Naehring:

The former Red Sox infielder (1990-1997) has become one of the game’s best talent evaluators and is widely respected throughout the industry. He’s been Brian Cashman’s top lieutenant and closest advisor on matters of player personnel.

Why he makes sense: Naehring has to know that Cashman, who’s been on the job for better than two decades, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, even with the Yankees set to miss out on the playoffs and potentially experience their first losing record in 30 years. If he has any aspirations to move up and be in charge, this could be it. Having spent his entire playing career with the Sox, he’s fully aware of how the market works and wouldn’t be intimidated by the challenge of working in Boston.

Why he doesn’t make sense: By all accounts, Naehring enjoys his current set-up tremendously, which allows him to spend a good chunk of the calendar year working out of his home in Cincinnati. It’s been rumored that he rebuffed feelers from other organizations who have sought to interview him for front office jobs. Speaking of which, despite his skills as an evaluator, Naehring doesn’t have much in the way of actual management /administrative experience.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

He is the GM or was until today.

Right. Can she move into that role which is now vacant?

 

[RedOctober3829]

What is it that appeals to you about Preller? The Padres have had 2 winning seasons in their last 5 (one of them was the 2020 pandemic year). It seems like what he's mostly done is give out huge contracts to known entities.

I get it that SD hasn't won much. However he's proven that he can develop a high-quality farm system, identify guys to keep for their team, and also the guys to trade for established stars. In my mind, he has done everything he can do from his end to put the best possible team on the field and it's not his fault that they've underperformed. Now I don't want him to come in and trade the farm away like he did in San Diego, but I would feel confident that he'd put a quality team on the field and it's up to the players to perform.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Some of Kennedy's comments merit further mulling over:

“I anticipate a broader search, one that frankly could take a while,” he said.

Two positions are open but Kennedy said the Red Sox might hire one person.

“We haven’t made any determinations,” Kennedy said. “We have no plans with respect to filling these two roles. We may fill these two roles with one individual. ... It could be a general manager. It could be a president of baseball operations. We’ll have to see.”

and

Kennedy said the Red Sox will consider any structure for baseball operations.

“By definition, we haven’t had the success we expect,” Kennedy said. “So I think it would be fair to say we would consider any structure as we go forward. But we don’t have a lot of preconceived notions about what that looks like right now.”

MassLive

 

[JM3]

I get it that SD hasn't won much. However he's proven that he can develop a high-quality farm system, identify guys to keep for their team, and also the guys to trade for established stars. In my mind, he has done everything he can do from his end to put the best possible team on the field and it's not his fault that they've underperformed. Now I don't want him to come in and trade the farm away like he did in San Diego, but I would feel confident that he'd put a quality team on the field and it's up to the players to perform.

You aren't concerned that you & him are wrong about who those players are & how to build a team & it's not just the players' faults for not doing what they are supposed to do?

 

[JM3]

You aren't concerned that you & him are wrong about who those players are & how to build a team & it's not just the players' faults for not doing what they are supposed to do?

I will say it's pretty impressive that they still have the 11th rated system per Fangraphs despite all of the all-in trades (& almost single-handedly bumping the Nats up to #2).

 

[nvalvo]

I agree that things are looking up for the Nationals and their haul in the Soto trade looks promising, but Strasburg is under contract through 2026, with $80 million in deferred payments after that.

Ahh, baseball-reference let me down on this. As I checked, I was thinking that I remembered that contract being way worse.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

For next season, the top priority of the new person needs to be able to add a really good starting pitcher without blowing up the farm system or putting us in position to be hit with draft and international tax penalties. And then fill the other holes, but adding at least one good starting pitcher is essential.
In the long run, they need to put in a better pitching evaluation and development system, and keep making progress with the overall development of the farm system. Of course they need to be good at evaluating players, anyone in that role needs to be good at that (or set up a front office that is good at that, whether they themselves personally do the evaluating or not.)

I have no idea who that person will be, but it's going to be a hugely important hire.

Hmm, I have decided that we should offer the job to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Then his salary won't count against the cap!

 

[Rovin Romine]

Alex Cora. He knows all of the systems in place, has been pretty hands on with player development since he's come back, and has expressed a desire to have an upward trajectory from a managerial role.

As long as he can find another 250 ABs for Marwin Gonzalez.

 

[YTF]

Right. Can she move into that role which is now vacant?

If she's a good fit, I would hope that there is a line of progression where she would get serious consideration. It's interesting that BOH was moved into a new position. I'm curious if they are looking for the new CBO bring in his own hire as GM, but want BOH to remain with the organization.

 

[Harry Hooper]

If she's a good fit, I would hope that there is a line of progression where she would get serious consideration. It's interesting that BOH was moved into a new position. I'm curious if they are looking for the new CBO bring in his own hire as GM, but want BOH to remain with the organization.

See my previous post in this thread. Kennedy indicated that the Sox may not have someone holding the CBO/President of Baseball Ops title going forward, just a head GM.

 

[LogansDad]

If they are going to hire someone just to fire them four years later, they may as well make it me, so I volunteer.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

If we just want an action junkie like Preller, I hear that Kenny Williams is available. Good lord.

Sestanovich really intrigues me

 

[Ale Xander]

As long as he can find another 250 ABs for Marwin Gonzalez.

Fair point but I thought Marwin was in there for defense and resting the starters

 

[radsoxfan]

Preller strikes me as someone far more likely to be fired soon than in demand for another job.

Picking the right guys and then having them not perform means… you probably didn’t pick the right guys.

It’s not like SD has had an absurd run of bad unpredictable injury luck. They just haven’t been good.

No thanks.

 

[nattysez]

Some of Kennedy's comments merit further mulling over:

MassLive

FWIW, Scott Harris was hired as President of the Tigers during the off-season, said he was going to hire a GM, and wound up never doing so (at least thus far). So it's not unprecedented to roll without a GM.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

If we just want an action junkie like Preller, I hear that Kenny Williams is available. Good lord.

Sestanovich really intrigues me

Tony LaRussa has a history here.


I’ll see myself out

 

[StuckOnYouk]

The Cora thing is interesting.

FWIW, Kennedy did NOT say no when asked about Cora (even though he did say NO when asked about Theo).

Cora was the GM for the Puerto Rico WBC team so he has dabbled in putting a team together (yes I know it’s just the WBC but it does show you that he has had interest in a roster building job before.

Not to mention that he looks burned out more and more. Ownership respects him and the fact that he is still standing while Bloom was jettisoned is at least somewhat noteworthy.

I’m always interested in hearing him discuss his players and opponents during his postgame speeches. He knows the game.

A Cora move to the front office while Varitek takes over as manager would be something else in Boston. Sure would be interesting as hell.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

If this organization is considering Cora to be the manager next season, let alone at an executive position, with zero experience - then FSG are even more delusional and lost than some of us give them credit for.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Not everyone can be go from CBS to PBS.

 

[JM3]

If Cora wants some sort of front office job, he's welcome to have one, but making him the GM would be pretty yikes.

& if we're going to hire a former player with no real in game experience, I'd much rather Pedey than Varitek.

 

[JBJ_HOF]

Cora will be hired to be GM with control of player transactions. Someone else will be hired to CEO the rest of the duties.

 

[67YAZ]

Back in 2019, I was driving the Brandon Taubman bandwagon. Unfortunately, Brandon grabbed the wheel and drove us all right off a cliff. Looks like he’s moved into commercial real estate, which I guess is a field that’s cool with praising domestic abusers to harass women?

Anyway, that plus the Bloom experience reminds me that is on the outside know fuck all about the actual abilities of these potential hires. It’s really tempting to hire from the Rays, Dodgers, Astros, or Braves and think that this guy is going to bring the secret sauce recipe. But that’s only one element. The new hire has to be really strong in leading organizational change in order to adapt what worked elsewhere to the Sox. And that’s a whole suite of skills, many of which don’t directly touch the actual players.

Another FSG club, Liverpool, has been roiled by front office turnover the past couple years. It’s hard to compare across contexts, but FSG is having a hard time holding on to talented GMs/directors. But at least Liverpool has Jurgen Klopp, one of the very best managers in the world, to serve as the organization’s pillar. His charisma, intelligence, man management, and adaptability have helped Liverpool navigate through a really tough last season to a very bright start this season.

Unfortunately, I think the Sox’ current pillar is Kennedy. Whatever Sam’s talents are as a business executive, I don’t think they have translated into running a baseball franchise. A new GM/CBO is going to be hamstrung by Kennedy.

 

[YTF]

The Cora thing is interesting.

FWIW, Kennedy did NOT say no when asked about Cora (even though he did say NO when asked about Theo).

Cora was the GM for the Puerto Rico WBC team so he has dabbled in putting a team together (yes I know it’s just the WBC but it does show you that he has had interest in a roster building job before.

Not to mention that he looks burned out more and more. Ownership respects him and the fact that he is still standing while Bloom was jettisoned is at least somewhat noteworthy.

I’m always interested in hearing him discuss his players and opponents during his postgame speeches. He knows the game.

A Cora move to the front office while Varitek takes over as manager would be something else in Boston. Sure would be interesting as hell.

IMO, Cora's WBC experience is pretty irrelevant here. He put a roster together from a pool of players that no one else was selecting from. There were no long term budgetary considerations or player development plans. Perhaps an Asst. GM role or some other sort of special asst. position as a way to begin a career in the front office, but I honestly don't see it here.

 

[jon abbey]

I bet this guy’s available, he has both GM experience and experience in BOS, this would be such a coup that I probably shouldn’t give anyone any ideas.

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ruben-amaro-jr/

 

[Rasputin]

I was in support of Bloom at the start and have been proven wrong.

I'm not sure you have. He did a pretty good job here. Did some weird things, sure, but the team is in pretty good shape going forward and that's not usually the case when GMs get fired.

As for who comes in, I have no idea. I just want someone who isn't going to trade everyone for a World Series. I don't think that's a reliable way to build a team. I think having more bites at the apple is better than having bigger bites.

 

[NorthwestSoxGuy]

I know it very likely won't happen but I'd love to see Theo come back.

 

[lexrageorge]

I know it very likely won't happen but I'd love to see Theo come back.

It's been officially ruled out by Kennedy. Theo has moved on to other ventures and his return to MLB would certainly be as member of an ownership team, and that will never happen in Boston for a number of reasons.

 

[AlNipper49]

If Cora wants some sort of front office job, he's welcome to have one, but making him the GM would be pretty yikes.

& if we're going to hire a former player with no real in game experience, I'd much rather Pedey than Varitek.

And rather have Varitek than Cora in the front office. By all accords Varitek has had his head down and doing a lot of the hands on work as a cog in the front office.

 

[BostonFanInCanesLand]

I bet this guy’s available, he has both GM experience and experience in BOS, this would be such a coup that I probably shouldn’t give anyone any ideas.

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ruben-amaro-jr/

Ok, so maybe it’s a little dated, but the Yankees are considering a change and Cashman himself has pointed out that Ruben Amaro Jr is at the other end of the spectrum. So I don’t think the Red Sox will try and poach a pre-ordained Yankees move.

Rosenthal asked Yankees GM Brian Cashman if he would consider trading for an ace, and Cashman replied, "I'm not Ruben Amaro,"

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/rosenthals-full-count-marlins-wandy-phillies-rockies.html

 

[PedroKsBambino]

It's been officially ruled out by Kennedy. Theo has moved on to other ventures and his return to MLB would certainly be as member of an ownership team, and that will never happen in Boston for a number of reasons.

Just to be clear ,that is not precisely what Kennedy said, or at least the quote I have read. That quote is "“I know there’s speculation, there’s professional history, there’s an even longer personal history, but I can rule out Theo Epstein as a candidate for one of these two positions,” Kennedy said during a press conference"

I don't know that a return by Theo is likely, but people here (and in the media) are mispreprsenting what Kennedy seems to have said, and there is essentially zero chance what Kennedy said about Theo are words he chose casually.

So, is there another quote out there or is the door very intentionally left open by Kennedy for the other open position?

 

[JimD]

Theo literally walked out the door twice on this ownership group and seemed far more burnt out after his Red Sox tenure than he did when he stepped down from his Cubs position. I feel very safe in saying that there is zero chance of him returning to work for Henry and Werner.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Re: Click, I do wonder how this board would react to losing Springer, Cole, and Correa to free agency in consecutive offseasons

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Theo literally walked out the door twice on this ownership group and seemed far more burnt out after his Red Sox tenure than he did when he stepped down from his Cubs position. I feel very safe in saying that there is zero chance of him returning to work for Henry and Werner.

I am certainly not predicting Theo comes back - I am just noting what Kennedy is quoted as having said, which is different than how a lot of people have shorthanded what he said. So, interesting to ask why he said it the way he did seems to me.

The reporting then and after was, I believe, far more that Theo walked out after losing a power struggle with Lucchino than that he and Henry had animosity. None of us know---and so I will play my typical role of reminding folks that absolutes are awfully risky given that reality. There's a ton of reasons to wonder if Theo wants back into any baseball ops role---my personal guess is that he's trying to replace Rob Manfred, not run a team. But again---that's pure speculation.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

I think Theo wants to stay where he is and succeed Manfred one day, not see if the gorilla costume still fits.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Sean McAdam writes that Antonetti and Falvey both were not interested when contacted in 2019. He thinks no one with significant experience will want to come to be presumably fired 3-4 years later.

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/09/mlb-notebook-constant-turnover-could-hinder-search-for-chaim-bloom-successor.html

 

[YTF]

If Cora wants some sort of front office job, he's welcome to have one, but making him the GM would be pretty yikes.

& if we're going to hire a former player with no real in game experience, I'd much rather Pedey than Varitek.

I really don't like the idea of Cora as GM. This is just me, but at this juncture I really prefer not to have a guy with no FO experience in that position. Like I mentioned up thread and as you mentioned here, some sort of FO job letting him learn that aspect of the game, helping to prepare him for his next career, OK. But I can't see that happening here unless it came at Cora's request. Are they going to sack him and then offer him a job upstairs that likely pays a lot less and realistically, would he take it? There's been a bit of Tek support here as a managerial candidate almost since the day he hung up his cleats. But IMO, should Cora go I'm not sure that he's the guy. There are guys several rungs up the ladder who deserve more blame for the state of the team on the field, but I think Tek and the entire coaching staff wears part of that stink.

 

[Bergs]

McAdam has an article on MassLive with many of the names mentioned upthread. He also listed Tim Naehring:

I drove Tim around for a couple days and had some beers with him back in '92 or '93. Nice guy. He's been one of those "what if" guys for me since he got hurt. I think he would've had a solid career.

That reminds me, he owes me one. lol

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

Sean McAdam writes that Antonetti and Falvey both were not interested when contacted in 2019. He thinks no one with significant experience will want to come to be presumably fired 3-4 years later.

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/09/mlb-notebook-constant-turnover-could-hinder-search-for-chaim-bloom-successor.html

I bet J. P. Ricciardi would be interested. Too bad he sucks.

 

[sezwho]

Sean McAdam writes that Antonetti and Falvey both were not interested when contacted in 2019. He thinks no one with significant experience will want to come to be presumably fired 3-4 years later.

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/09/mlb-notebook-constant-turnover-could-hinder-search-for-chaim-bloom-successor.html

If they truly don't know who they are hiring, I'd be somewhat surprised. Otherwise...why now? (genuine question and I've not heard anything beyond triggering off the Mets move). I think the impact of Bloom cleaning up the books and his overall focus and investment on the minors will be felt long after he's gone, and the next GM must also know this. Ideally the next person feels confident their performance will indicate they should be kept longer, I imagine that's a characteristic of such folk.

 

[bosockboy]

If they truly don't know who they are hiring, I'd be somewhat surprised. Otherwise...why now? I think the impact of Bloom cleaning up the books and his overall focus and investment on the minors will be felt long after he's gone, and the next GM must also know this. Ideally the next person feels confident their performance will indicate they should be kept longer, I imagine that's a characteristic of such folk.

I suspect someone privately became available and they will pounce pretty quickly.

 

[E5 Yaz]

@PeteAbe
Cora on whether he would be interested in being GM: “That’s something that intrigues me. I’ve done it before on a lower scale, the WBC and winter ball. But it’s something that right now — where I’m at, where we’re at as a family — it’s too soon to start talking about it.”

 

[JM3]

I think it would be kind of cool if they brought in a guy each from the Braves & Dodgers.

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702366325308363218


View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702365978045063247


View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702366850842066996


Brandon Gomes is 39 & from Fall River, MA. He is a former meh MLB pitcher & the current Dodgers GM.

Ben Sestanovich is 34 & graduated from Harvard in 2011 where he was a relief pitcher. He is an Assistant GM for the Braves in charge of player development.

Let's assume that those 2 would get along great...

What if we made Gomes the CBO & Sestanovich the GM, thus bringing in fresh, talented minds from the 2 premier organizations, both with ties to Boston, both who have personal experience with pitching.

 

[jmanny24]

I think it would be kind of cool if they brought in a guy each from the Braves & Dodgers.

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702366325308363218


View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702365978045063247


View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702366850842066996


Brandon Gomes is 39 & from Fall River, MA. He is a former meh MLB pitcher & the current Dodgers GM.

Ben Sestanovich is 34 & graduated from Harvard in 2011 where he was a relief pitcher. He is an Assistant GM for the Braves in charge of player development.

Let's assume that those 2 would get along great...

What if we made Gomes the CBO & Sestanovich the GM, thus bringing in fresh, talented minds from the 2 premier organizations, both with ties to Boston, both who have personal experience with pitching.

Not sure how realistic this is, but this would be a dream and would show that the ownership believes in what Bloom was trying to do, just didn't have faith in him to be able to do it all the way up to the MLB level. Which is fine, I liked Bloom and what he was doing, but it's the philosophy that is more important to me.

 

[YTF]

I think it would be kind of cool if they brought in a guy each from the Braves & Dodgers.

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702366325308363218


View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702365978045063247


View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1702366850842066996


Brandon Gomes is 39 & from Fall River, MA. He is a former meh MLB pitcher & the current Dodgers GM.

Ben Sestanovich is 34 & graduated from Harvard in 2011 where he was a relief pitcher. He is an Assistant GM for the Braves in charge of player development.

Let's assume that those 2 would get along great...

What if we made Gomes the CBO & Sestanovich the GM, thus bringing in fresh, talented minds from the 2 premier organizations, both with ties to Boston, both who have personal experience with pitching.

I'd be curious to know how long either has been in their current position, where they were previously and what the consensus is on their contribution towards the current success of their teams. As we've witnessed, young guys brought in from successful organizations don't necessarily garner the desired results in the expected time frame, whatever that might be.