OCTOBER 24th: Cherington will be announced as executive vice president/general manager of the Red Sox at a 3pm press conference tomorrow, announced the team. The Cubs, meanwhile, will introduce Epstein as president of baseball operations three hours prior.
OCTOBER 13th: The Red Sox are calling on Theo Epstein's top assistant to restore order in Boston. They have told assistant general manager Ben Cherington that he'll be the team's next GM, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. Cherington will assume the responsibilities of the GM once the Cubs and Red Sox finalize the arrangement that will send Epstein to Chicago.
Cherington started his baseball career with the Indians in 1998. He joined the Red Sox under Dan Duquette and worked extensively with Epstein, who he considers a mentor.
"I learned more [from Epstein] about the game and people and how to get things done and how to do all of that with a sense of humor and compassion," Cherington told me in August. "It has made me a better person and if I’m ever lucky enough to be a GM it’ll make me a much better GM."
Cherington has experience as an area scout and has also worked on player acquisitions, arbitration and quantitative analysis. His first job as a general manager will begin with a search for manager Terry Francona's replacement.
I’m disappointed with the way the owners handled Francona’s and Epstein’s departures, and the end of the season/entire situation in general. Cherrington has success as a long-time assistant GM, and I’m looking forward to what he can do to help this team succeed.
Good for you guys! Hopefully this will cut through a lot of the turmoil and get you guys moving into 2012. It’s time!
Well, at least that’s 100% resolved. Can we maybe find a manager now?
It’s good to have “chair”ington on the bench
Oh, that was so bad, so, so bad.
Now go get Dave Martinez. Please?
it’s technically a promotion, but i wouldn’t be too enthusiastic about joining this club right now
I do not disagree with you one bit. With what they did to Tito, and now Ortiz saying he hates the drama who would really want to join the Sox circus at this point? That being said they still need to find the best manager for the job, and I feel it would be him.
No more drama than Ortiz lolly dollying around the bases after he hits a hr and firing up a weak team they should have obliterated, nor getting thrown out on a long drive to CF ay Yankee stadium at 2b he took the time to watch after he thought it was a HR.
ortiz makes his own share of “drama” that won’t be missed if he decides to leave.
Really? If Cherington got your phone number and said “We’d like you to come be the manager of the Red Sox, and we’ll pay you 2.5mm per season”, you’re telling me that you wouldn’t be bouncing off the walls?
Managing the Red Sox is a tall order, but it’s an incredibly prestigious job, and one thats under an ownership group that puts you in a position to make a WS run every year.
I agree that the way Francona was dealt with post-departure has been incredibly immature and ridiculous, but I don’t think that’s going to deter anyone from being absolutely ecstatic about an offer to become the Sox manager, especially if it’s a promotion.
-soxfan0928
seriously though, yes it’s a very good team with a prestigious history large enough market to stay that way if run well. but this is probably its lowest point in the last decade, and it’s not even close
even when things are going well, not every manager wants to deal with the media environment of a boston or a new york. so that cuts out enthusiasm for a whole field of guys right there
add to that the fact that everybody seems to get torn apart when they leave, ownership tends to micromanage, and the fact that the current clubhouse situation is a mess and, well…i think you need to be realistic about how exciting the prospect of signing on to be manager really is right now
even if we grant that most of this is media-made and overblown, that media-made overblowing tendency is part of boston red sox culture. i’m not the only one that hates it
I absolutely agree that this team, especially right now, is the Lindsay Lohan of major league baseball, but regardless of that, I think a lot of guys would give their first born for the opportunity to come in and turn this thing around. It’s the same reason that Theo wanted to go to Chicago. It’s a phenomenal challenge, and one that, if you succeed, will almost guarantee you a job wherever and whenever you want in MLB. And if you don’t succeed with the new team, after all of these allegations have come out on the players, the blame is going to be put back on Beckett, and the Beer and Fried Chicken crew. So if the Sox turn it around, its on you. If the Sox don’t make the PS again next season, it’s because of lack of effort. It’s a win-win situation!
To me, it’s the perfect time to come in as a manager. As a player, on the other hand…
“a lot of guys would give their first born for the opportunity to come in and turn this thing around”
no doubt. the question is whether those guys are guys you would want. does dave martinez want it that bad? dunno. i’d say that just about everybody who would have been interested is less interested now than they were before this fiasco
whether that means they’re less interested to the degree of disinterest has yet to be seen. i personally don’t have anybody in mind that i’m really hoping they get at this point, so it’s not a big deal to me. i just want it over with
Two schools of thought that I have noticed. The “Let’s get a stern, old-school, hard-nosed manager who won’t take any garbage from his players” approach (i.e. Valentine), and then there’s the “This club needs discipline, but from a young guy who can relate to the players” (i.e. Dave Martinez).
I’m in the Dave Martinez boat myself. I think that Joe Maddon has done an incredible job with the Rays, and if we can get his 2nd in command to come in to Boston and implement some of those same philosophies into this clubhouse, it would be extremely beneficial. You look at that dugout every game, and you know who is on the fence, screaming his head off at the umps over blown calls, giving guys high fives after every inning?
David Price. And James Shields and Jeremy Hellickson, et all are all there doing the same thing. They’re doing that while our guys are playing Halo and eating KFC and drinking Natty Light. Nay. Natty Light Ice. This team needs the Rays clubhouse atmosphere and philosophy, and I think DM could bring that.
Not to mention – you never know what kind of impact a little comfort level will bring to Crawford. Bring in a former bench coach, and it could make him more comfortable in Boston, someone he’s been around, etc.
A guy under Maddon’s tutelage would admittedly be good for them, in all likelihood. Tampa had a HUGE disciplinary problem before Maddon came on board, but he runs a pretty tight ship there.
Butch Hobson/Don Zimmer, Lovey, Dovey types as you mentioned were failures in Boston, whereas Walpoe Joe Morgan, Dick Williams, Ralph Houk even Johny Mac stern types did ok.
Francona is the exception as the lovey dovey since 1967 for managers that did well and Zim probably had the best roster of them all during the late 70’s, other than Francona.
Odd’s are with the stern type manager IMO.
I know you and I aren’t on speaking terms right now. Maybe you’ll allow me to take my dunce hat off soon, but one thing people neglect to mention here that may restrict the Sox with their management search is lack of young talent. This could be a bigger issue than we currently perceive. If I was a manager, I wouldn’t be thrilled by 1) having to deal with the media. 2) clean up the mess 3) risk my reputation when time is up (which seems to be standard practice in Boston) and 4) most importantly the lack of depth on the roster and limited young talent on the farm. Just a thought.
“one thing people neglect to mention here that may restrict the Sox with their management search is lack of young talent”
Probably because there is no lack of young talent?
There are fifteen people likely to be on the twenty-five man roster that will be under thirty on opening day:
Lester, Buchholz, Bard, Aceves, Doubront, Saltalamacchia, Gonzalez, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Reddick (Or Kalish), Lowrie, Morales, Bowden, Miller and Lavarnway. 3/5 of the roster right there.
Most experts assume Wakefield and Varitek will be shown the door making Scutaro (36) likely to be the oldest person on the roster. If Scutaro doesn’t get his option picked up, Youkilis becomes the oldest guy on the team at a whopping 33 years of age.
What I meant was there are limited, if any, super prospects in the oven at the moment. There isn’t a Matt Moore or Trout, Teheran, Montero breaking camp with the team next season. Listen I am not saying there are no prospects, but there are very very few at the moment who are potential difference makers. All the people you mention except for Lavarnway and Kalish (who’s had a bumpy trip along the way) are much closer to 30 than 20. Bowden and Miller suck, and at some point, someone will need to admit that. Counting both of them = about .4. You’d have to think that any incoming manager is looking at a 3-5 year plan and not just 1, for 2012. Right? A manager is sure to consider what’s available at the farm?
The Sox’ 2011 draft was ranked as one of the top five drafts in the MLB. They shredded a top ten system to get Gonzalez, but they effectively reloaded in the draft. They don’t have much at the top levels (Though Middlebrooks’ll probably make most offseason Top 50 rankings), but the lower levels have plenty of talent in guys like Raunado, Brentz, Barnes, Swihart and Cecchini. We’ll probably rank top ten again this year.
Sure, they don’t have any “super” prospects, but there really aren’t many of those and once Montero hits the majors full time, the Yankees won’t really have one anymore either.
“You’d have to think that any incoming manager is looking at a 3-5 year plan and not just 1, for 2012. Right?”
Right, and any incoming manager looking at said 3-5 year plan will notice that the low to mid levels of the Sox system has a ton of high upside talent. The shortsighted “1” year thing to do would be to look at the Pawtuckett roster and assume the Sox system is barren.
Looks like the Pawsox roster will be filled with retreads (again) other than Doubrant, Weiand, Wilson, Middlebrooks, Lavarnway, Lin and maybe Hassan.
it’s going to be an awful season as a fan at McCoy stadium if one wanted to see kids rather than… Well one gets the idea…
bogaerts ought to leap up as well
If Bogaerts has another year like this year, or even progresses (particularly if he does it a level higher), I’m betting that he starts getting talked about as being one of the better prospects in the game. Kid has massive potential.
The closest thing the Sox have to a “super prospect” is Xander Bogaerts; he is only 18 and A ball, so there is still a relatively high flame-out potential (like any low minors prospect), but he seriously has Hanley type potential (well Hanley without the prima donna-ness).
What hurts the Red Sox the most is their pitching staff and the lack of pitching on the FA market..not much on the trade market either. IDK what they are planning.
Well unless they manage to move Lackey they really only have one open spot, and with Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz as a very solid top three all they really need is a serviceable pitcher who can eat up innings at the back of their rotation.
They could go after guys like Buehrle or Jackson as good complementary guys, or they could look for another potential top of the rotation type in Wilson or Darvish, or they could go with guys who are injury prone but have good stuff when they are on like Bedard or Harden. They could even go into spring training with the #5 spot open and have the guys that they have in the organization already compete for it; guys like Doubront, Weiland, Aceves, Miller etc.
And then there is always the potential for them to trade for someone, although I really don’t have much of an idea of who may be available via trade at this point.
Lack of young talent could make potential managers hesitant as well. Not much on the farm ready to come up and all managers, Yankees included love their farm guys and they are easier to manage and potentially mold to the team environment.
Thank you for not stealing Rick Hahn from the White Sox. I want him to be the White Sox next GM, hopefully after next season when KW is finally fired or quits.
Wow, I had no idea Cherrington would be the next BoSox GM!
people love to put that extra r in his name. they just love it!
Does it really matter that much to you to put a sarcastic post about it?
it matters that much and more. good news for you is that having now made TWO sarcastic posts in the last 10 minutes, i am exhausted
maybe it bothers him into posting about it as much as his post bothered you into posting about it
That’s because people like cherries.
Congrats Ben.Please dont make the same mistakes theo did.Im going to give Ben a chance to succeded here.Everyone should.I just hope he doesn’t become a puppet gm for the owners
I ve been a Red Sox fan for well over 40 years now. A lot of players on this last years team got fat and lazy. I seriously doubt John Henry will put up with it. While I hate to see Theo and Tito go, a housecleaning is needed. Tito clearly lost the team. NOT a lot on the player front, maybe a 4th starter, fix the pen, backup catcher. David Ortiz and his comments are kind of offensive. Saying he isnt sure he wants to be here.. well then fine.. see ya.. YOU disappeared in Sept again. Where was the leadership? Wakefield… thanks and enjoy retirement. What the Sox need is a right handed outfielder, get Crawford right, get a DH… and figure out what to do with Lackey. He is un tradable at this point.. at best he is the 5th starter. That being said, this team is STILL very dangerous. A good a** kicking this off season should make the Sox have a HUGE chip on their shoulders next year…
Josh Willingham would be a good option for DH what ya think? He’d come cheap too. I’d like Atlanta to make a serious run at him…It isn’t the Fielders, Reyes FAs etc its this kind of signing that can mean the difference between a championship and a 3rd place finish.
YES. Now that that’s over with, lets go get that manager. And do regular offseason stuff. And just generally try to move past the horror that has been the last month or so.
Great news. Definitely a sign that the front office is looking to restore stability quickly.
Cherington has been one of the men behind the curtain for Epstein for awhile. Good luck Cherington and Epstein in your new jobs.
Ditto and 100% in agreement with the GM choice. people are looking at just the title (GM) and thinking of making deals perhaps, you as well are looking at how well he should continue running important matters such as the draft and farm system that Epstein put into place.
doesnt have the same ring as Fantasy_Theo:(
any suggestions?
We have a list going now…whom ever receives the most “likes” will be my new name!
Fantasy_Cherry?
i lol’d
the poster formerly known as…
Become a Cubs fan?
only thing that comes to mind is ArmCher_GM
sonny and cher?
referring to an armchair….but Cherington starts with CHER not CHAIR….I never claimed that it was good.
I got it the first time 🙂
my bad.
Fantasy_BenCh
Cherry Pickin?
…if ya know what I mean….
Soxpocalypse 2011 has a nice ring to it..
That just reminded me of an SNL Skit from earlier this year.
Cherry_town!
Mmmm cherry pie! 🙂
I’m waiting for the Red Sox to release Theo Epstein’s medical records.
What are they waiting for? — the compensation from the Cubs for releasing him to be final or what?
Or have they finally become too embarrassed to do it because, for once, the voices of those in the media calling them on their assassinate-the-character-of-those-leaving approach has reached critical mass, the pattern has become too obvious to ignore, or their behavior has gotten so shameful that it can’t be ignored?
Because the medical records will reveal that they are actually sending Lackey to GM the Cubs.
in a gorilla suit. THEY’LL NEVER KNOW
Lackey for Dunn Hmmm – Warm like cherries, bad contracts blah nevermind
ben, i think finding Terry’s replacement should be your second priority.
cause your first should be (and i know you have no control over this) driving Lucchino out of town.
….And hey, maybe (just maybe) he can “drive” Lackey right along with him (even if he has to stuff him in the trunk). :p
It’s entirely within his control. I’m happy to do whatever’s required of me to help the team.
Cherington Picking
Close. Soon enough someone will start a Sawks fan blog called Cheri’ Pickin’ (maybe even someone on this board). You watch!
Now name Tony Pena as manager.
Ben, the way I see things the Sox will need you to trade Beckett and Lackey. Re-sign Papelbon, Replace Ortiz,Varitek,Scutaro, go out and find a big RH Bat to protect AGon, find a SS, Find two starting pitchers to replace Beckett and Lackey, Find the 3rd pitcher the Sox have needed since last August, Find a back up catcher, a back up Outfielder, get compensation for losing Theo, whew!!! You will be busy my man
– summarization
get bulldozer, tear it down.
In a related story, the alignment on my car is slightly off, I think it’s time to drive the thing into the Charles.
you’re probably just a drug addict
SHUT UP MY KNEES HURT
Well you’re just around for the good stuff, huh? When they miss the playoffs after winning 90 games, let’s just tear it all apart because a 90 win team is a fluke with that kind of talent! Keep telling yourself that’s what needs to be done, sir.
Beckett puts up his best season in years and you want him out? Is fried chicken THAT big of a deal?
I keep seeing all these people clamoring that he’ll be a dud again next year, except no one seems to want to account for the fact he had a fantastic season while posting the worst average fastball velocity of his career.
Pro-Tip: Beckett learned how to pitch better. The End. Shipping him out would be about the worst move they could make.
Fried chicken is a pretty big deal
CJ Wilson is a FA. Else a SP will have to come through a trade. Bowden one of Kalish or Reddick could be used to acquire a SP. IDK not much SP on the FA market.
Good move.
Its Cherington. Good!
Now, hire a manager you can work with, Ben.
You and he then set some rules for the team, like,
– No booze in the club house!
– No eating while game is in progress
– All players not assigned to the bullpen, play or sit on the bench while games are in
progress
– No loitering in the clubhouse during games are in progress
– All players will be in full uniform (including cap) when on the field or on the bench
– All players will attend team meetings when called
– All players cannot socialize with members of the opposing team on the field and
while games are in progress.
– No electronic devices turned on while games are in progress
– No gambling
Next, sign those players who need to be signed. Retire those players who need to retire.
Demote those players who should be demoted. Find replacements for all. Then, play ball.
I find some of this stuff a bit draconian (Looking at you, no eating, that’s just ridiculous), but the no socializing one is just nuts. This isn’t a war, it’s a game. Most of these guys have friends on other teams. It’s never proven to be a distraction before and there’s no reason to institute something like that.
You must spend a lot of time at the water cooler to feel that way. The operative word here is “focus”. For the money we pay to see the Red Sox play they are obligated to give us a “professional” performance, on the field, in return. Besides, there is nothing in my list above that exceeds what any employer would expect of his/her senior employees while on the job.
“You wanna eat, drink or socialize with your friends, do it on your own time” etc..
You just named off all of Billy Martin’s vices 😉
– no kids on the lawn
he means business too
MLB is not child’s play. It is “work”. These guys get paid big bucks to “perform” for 3-4 hours for 162 games, in a professionalized, competetive sport, over a span of 6 months. They have 6 months paid vacation too. The least they can do is pay attention and not abuse their stature as professional ball players while games are in progress.
If you or I gambled, drank, ate and/or socialized, etc., while “on the clock” we would be fired.
— On Thu, 10/13/11, Disqus wrote
While I agree with some things here, honestly, I’d rather have one of my players eating a snack during the game than getting dizzy from a low blood sugar moment…
satire or get off my lawn?
People don’t realize this is still a playoff caliber team. Losing Theo and their manager doesn’t mean they are going to lose.
And here I am hoping Dan Duquette would return, god damn it.
I like the idea of hiring from within,Cherington knows the system and will make for an easy transition which is something the front office and Boston media has no clue about. The biggest problem he faces is alot of players are not on board in Boston at this point!
Am I the only one here that worries that the Sox just jumped at the first obvious choice? I know when I hire people, I interview dozens of candidates. The few times I have hired the first obvious choice, it has never worked out really well…
They didn’t want to lose precious time in this EXTREMELY hectic offseason finding someone new, and then having them find staff members they’d want to work with, and then have them and current Boston staff get acquainted and decide on a gameplan. Cherington will continue Epstein’s system, with his own personal changes, and be able to get started immediately. With the enormous laundry list of things the GM needs to get done right now in Boston, plus the controversy probably scared away Bostons top choice GMs, they just wanted someone who could step in right away. It might not have been the best choice, but I don’t think this was hasty, I think Boston has been planning to make Cherington GM if Epstein left for a while now.
There are exactly three GMs I would rather have them Cherinton: AA, Friedman and Epstein. AA is in the middle of a solid looking rebuild and isn’t likely going anywhere, Friedman is rumored to be ready to turn down a President position with the Angels (And still having unfinished business with the Rays) and, well, Epstein’s obvious.
There was no better realistic option and no point wasting time on an interview process.
Then there was the choice of me. I would have made a FABULOUS GM! Just ask me! ;O)
see if the marlins want to do beckett for hanley again, then send lackey in josh’s uniform
The Sox only problem this off season is pitching. They have good starters in Beckett, Lackey, and Buchholz, they need to add 2 more starters and upgrade the pen. Hanley is not the type of player they need, maybe sign Reyes and trade Youk and Ellisbury for front line pitching like Shields and another starter.
your serious ideas were less realistic than my fake one
Two current general managers are now Amherst College graduates, the other being Neal Huntington of the Pirates. Go Jeffs!
I see Cherington officially assumes his rightful place on the throne
Everyone is talking about the lack of the top pitching prospect in the Sox organization. What ever happened to Ranaudo ?
he’s a top prospect, but he’s in the lower minors. they don’t have any top pitching prospects that are near mlb-ready