Red Sox reportedly ‘aiming for the biggest names’ in GM search
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Red Sox typically aim high when it comes to their players, managers, and front-office personnel. So it comes as no surprise that they’re reportedly looking to hire another big name to replace Dave Dombrowski.
Major league sources tell top baseball insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that the Red Sox are “aiming for the biggest names” in their search for a new general manager. So Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein is almost certainly on their radar at this point.
Epstein said simply “I’m here … there’s nothing to that story” when asked about the Red Sox speculation. So it’s possible that they need to look elsewhere for their white whale in the front office.
Who else would qualify as among the “biggest names” for the next Red Sox GM? Oakland vice president of baseball operations/minority owner Billy Beane should always be in that conversation. Rosenthal believes that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has an expiring contract, but it would still be hard for the Red Sox to lure him away from Los Angeles because there’s an extension in the works there.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman introduces Pitcher Kenta Maeda to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on January 7, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
The story also notes that the Red Sox face other issues in their search for the next GM as it relates to their past hires. Their treatment of Ben Cherington on the way out and the relatively short runs of recent execs as possible deterrents for outside choices to come to Boston.
The reporting from Rosenthal and other top insiders suggests that if the Red Sox are dead-set on prying a big name away from another team, they’re going to have to give him more long-term security and stability within the organization. And probably a hell of a lot of money, too. Maybe a stake in ownership.
If they really want to make an Epstein reunion a reality, or finally make the Billy Beane acquisition they’ve probably wanted for decades now, Red Sox ownership is probably going to have to pay up like they never have before.
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 [email protected].
