Chaim Bloom deal to become new Red Sox GM is reportedly ‘finalized’

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, a deal for Chaim Bloom to become the Red Sox' newest general manager is "finalized."

Bloom, 36, had spent the previous 15 seasons in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, most recently as vice president of baseball operations from 2015-18. He will officially take over for Dave Dombrowski, who served as president of baseball ops starting during the 2015 season and was dismissed on Sept. 9, 2019.

It will be interesting to see Bloom's official title when he comes aboard. It's likely he gets the same title as Dombrowski. If not a similar title and role as that of Theo Epstein in the Cubs organization, or his former boss Andrew Friedman, who left the Rays to become the Dodgers' president of baseball ops.

Bloom's role in the Rays' ability to field competitive teams over the past two seasons, despite their league-low payroll, had to impress the Red Sox. The Rays have won 96 and 90 games in each of the past two years, despite ranking dead-last in the majors in payroll.

Red Sox owner John Henry said he wants to shed payroll for 2020, so he hired someone who's used to working with a budget. The Red Sox are also hoping Bloom's influence can help replenish a farm system that eroded under Dombrowski, who in Boston did his typical big spending and prospect-trading that he's done everywhere else.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.