Dipoto arrives to help front office
MIAMI — Jerry Dipoto helped build a consistent winner in parts of four seasons as the general manager of the Angels. Now he’ll be trying to lend his knowledge to the Red Sox’ front office.
Dipoto was hired by the team on a short-term basis as a consultant to the front office, a Red Sox spokesman confirmed. News of Dipoto’s hiring was first reported by Peter Gammons on MLB Network.
Dipoto, the Angels general manager from 2011 until he resigned in July, will be tasked with evaluating talent within the organization and providing assistance in offseason planning. As the Red Sox are trying to makeover a franchise that appears destined for two straight last-place finishes, they’ll need an emphasis on acquiring talented pitchers. That just so happens to be the strength of Dipoto.
Dipoto, 47, has slightly less experience as a major league general manager than Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, so this shouldn’t be perceived as a move from higher-ups to help strip Cherington of control. Instead, the Sox are bringing on a former Red Sox scout (2003-04) who knows Cherington and is said to have his trust, which might be the most important factor.
The Sox may still be looking for an important leader to sit above Cherington, who said last week he expects to have a new boss to replace Larry Lucchino, the longtime Red Sox president who is stepping down at season’s end. Sam Kennedy will take over Lucchino’s title, though Kennedy is known as more of a businessman and the Sox appear keen on adding another baseball-savvy executive.
While with the Angels, Dipoto helped build teams that won 89 games in 2012, 78 games in 2013 and 98 games in 2014. They were 41-37 when Dipoto resigned from his role after he was reportedly in disagreement with manager Mike Scioscia about the use of statistical information and advanced scouting during in-game decisions.
With Sox manager John Farrell considered open to advanced metrics and always interested in hearing about any information that might give his team an advantage, no such disagreements should be foreseen in Boston.
“He’s come in to review our system, our big league club,” Farrell said. “I know it’s an objective view to be brought in and give feedback, information to Ben, his assessment and recommendations going forward.”
Dipoto helped the Angels acquire starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (2.45 ERA with Angels) from the Dodgers for second baseman Howie Kendrick prior to this season and starter Hector Santiago (3.30 ERA with Angels) from the White Sox in a three-way deal before the 2014 season. The Angels built a staff that ranked fifth in the American League with a 3.66 ERA as of yesterday.
Dipoto is a New Jersey native and VCU grad who spent eight years as a major league reliever, finishing with a 4.05 ERA.