THEO EPSTEIN JOINS RED SOX AS SENIOR ADVISOR
In a shocking move, former Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is making his return to the organization. Epstein, who famously helped break the “Curse of the Bambino,” has been appointed as a senior advisor for Fenway Sports Group. While he won’t have control over personnel decisions, Epstein’s expertise is expected to have a significant impact on the Red Sox’s future.
Epstein boasts an impressive track record in building successful baseball teams. He played a pivotal role in ending the Red Sox’s 86-year championship drought and later achieved the same feat with the Chicago Cubs after a 71-year dry spell.
However, this move comes too late for the upcoming 2024 season. The Red Sox had a disappointing 2023, finishing with their third losing record in four years and subsequently firing general manager Chaim Bloom. In response, team ownership pledged to adopt a more aggressive approach to roster building in 2024.
“We understand the need to be competitive next year,” declared Red Sox chairman Tom Werner during the press conference introducing chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. “We’re going to be all in and go full-throttle in every possible way.”
But three months later, it appears that the Red Sox’s commitment to being “full-throttle” has fallen short. Their only significant pitching acquisition so far is Lucas Giolito, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels. While the contract appears to be worth $38.5 million over two years, the inclusion of an opt-out clause in 2025 reduces it to a one-year, $18 million deal.
Furthermore, the Red Sox have largely missed out on free agency. Despite expressing interest in players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they failed to secure their services. The team also made a short-term contract offer to Shota Imanaga, a Japanese pitcher, but he ultimately chose the Cubs’ offer due to the Red Sox’s history of low-ball offers.
It seems that the Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Red Sox, has shifted its focus away from baseball in recent years. They have invested in various ventures, such as a music hall within Fenway Park, becoming a minority shareholder in SpringHill entertainment company, acquiring the Pittsburgh Penguins, and striking a deal with the PGA.
In essence, the Red Sox’s lackluster efforts this offseason have led many to question their commitment to winning. The hiring of Theo Epstein, while potentially beneficial in the long term, is seen by many as an admission that the team is giving up on the 2024 season.
