Red Sox in no rush to hire a president
A month after dismissing Dombrowski, franchise taking its time finding his successor
BOSTON — This coming week will mark a month since the Red Sox fired Dave Dombrowski as president of baseball operations, and it could well be another month before a replacement is in place.
It’s evident the Red Sox are willing to take the time to make what they hope is the right choice and that they’re comfortable with the interim leadership group that was put in place on Sept. 9.
All we know at this stage is that the team will hire from outside the organization and that they want a new leader with experience running a team.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman isn’t under contract for 2020. There is no evidence that suggests he would leave Los Angeles given how he has helped set up the team for long-term success. But he has yet to agree to a new contract.
Team president Stan Kasten expects it to happen. But until Friedman signs a new deal, the Red Sox have to at least investigate the possibilities. He would be a perfect choice.
Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim (pronounced HIGH-em) Bloom fits the Sox’ criteria. He’s a rung below Erik Neander in Tampa Bay’s structure but has been influential in putting the roster together.
The Rays have won only six fewer regular-season games than the Red Sox over the last two years spending despite roughly $333 million less on payroll.
Friedman left the Rays for the Dodgers and instilled financial discipline while remaining successful. Bloom could do the same for the Sox. The Dodgers combine enviable financial resources with creativity, something the Red Sox need to get back to.
“Look, we’re fortunate. We have really smart people that can evaluate talent,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve kind of prided ourselves, this organization, for many years, on maybe finding the players that have fallen through the cracks a little bit.
“We’ve got a handful of them on the roster right now that are main pieces to what we’re trying to accomplish. Ton of credit goes to the front office for recognizing that.
“It’s easy to turn away on a guy, a young player that doesn’t come out of the gate on fire but does some special things under the surface. And I think we’ve got a bunch of those guys who do that.”
Bloom is from Philadelphia and has in-laws in the Boston area. That doesn’t hurt.
Another executive sure to get a long look is Mets vice president and assistant general manager Allard Bard.
Baird was with the Red Sox from 2006-18 before going to the Mets. He was a key adviser to Theo Epstein and was GM of the Royals from 2000-06.
Baird has the experience John Henry and Tom Werner want and is familiar with the Sox. Friends say he would be interested in returning to Boston.
The same is true for Diamondbacks senior vice president and assistant GM Jared Porter.
Porter, a Minnesota native who was raised in Massachusetts, was with the Sox from 2004-15, primarily in scouting capacities. He joined the Cubs for parts of two seasons and has been with the Diamondbacks for three years.