Red Sox promote two as co-GMs
December 13, 2005
The Boston Red Sox promoted two of Theo Epstein’s former assistants to be co-general managers on Monday while offering to “keep the light on” if the most successful GM in franchise history wants to lend a hand.
“Certainly Theo is a good friend of all of us, and he’s worked very closely with these guys in the past,” team president Larry Lucchino said after splitting the general manager’s job between farm director Ben Cherington and assistant GM Jed Hoyer.
“The door has been really ajar for some time, and until Theo goes to work for another baseball organization, we’ll keep the light on in the window with the possibility of him coming back and helping us.”
Epstein walked away from the team on Halloween. But even without a GM, the Red Sox have been one of the most active teams this off-season, making major trades to acquire Florida pitcher Josh Beckett and unload struggling shortstop Edgar Renteria.
Hoyer and Cherington were among the so-called Four Horsemen who made those deals, along with special assistants Bill Lajoie and Craig Shipley. Lucchino, who spent a month evaluating outside GM candidates, turned in-house after the winter meetings in Dallas ended last week.
Both Hoyer and Cherington acknowledged that they weren’t fully prepared for the GM job on their own. “I wanted to experience a little bit more in baseball before taking on that job by myself,” said Cherington, who gave Hoyer his first job with the Red Sox.
The 32-year-old Hoyer has been working mostly with major-league transactions. Cherington, 31, has focused on the minor leaguers. They’ll maintain that division, though overlap is inevitable when the team, for example, wants to trade prospects for a major-leaguer.
“It made sense, given their personal compatibility and their experience, to do it together,” Lucchino said. “It made sense for us to divide things up.
“If there’s a better way to build a mousetrap, we’ll try that, too. But this is the way we’re committed to now. There’s more than one way to structure a front office.”
Lucchino, Hoyer and Cherington all downplayed the possibility that the co-GMs would reach a stalemate and need a deciding vote. Ownership has always had the final say, they said.
“There’s always more than one person involved in a deal,” Cherington said. “We’ll serve as a system of checks and balances to some degree.”
Other teams have tried co-GMs, most recently the Orioles with Mike Flanagan and Jim Beattie. The experiment did not work in Baltimore, Lucchino said, in part because the two hadn’t worked together and didn’t complement each other’s skills.
“I don’t think it’s unprecedented,” Lucchino said. “It’s unusual. But at this point, for the Red Sox, I think it’s the way to go.”
Lucchino would not comment on the terms of the agreements with the two New Hampshire natives — even to say how long their contracts will run — except to say they will have some role in the organization “for years to come.” That did nothing to dampen speculation that Epstein would come in above them.
Lucchino said it was up to the GMs to decide who would advise them.
“I think it’s probably fair to say there has been general discussion about Theo coming back in some shape or form,” Lucchino said. “It’s premature to discuss exactly what role, if any, Theo would have.”
Said Cherington: “I’d be excited about the opportunity to work with him again.”
“We’re not committed to this long term,” Cherington said. “It could be change is needed.”
Once the youngest GM in baseball history and still the only one to build a World Series champion in Boston, Epstein turned down a three-year, $4.5 million contract extension to replace the one that expired Oct. 31. Although he did not give his reasons, he said he could no longer could give his “entire heart and soul to the organization.”
“Theo’s an immensely talented guy who’s proved himself over the last several years here,” Lucchino said Monday. “And if he is comfortable and happy and feels he can be productive in this organization, in this structure, we would welcome him.”
Padres re-sign Roberts: Padres leadoff hitter Dave Roberts agreed to a $2.25 million contract for 2006, and San Diego closed in on a $1 million deal for reliever Doug Brocail. Roberts can make another $250,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
Roberts played center field for the Padres last year but will be moved to left field this season to make room for Mike Cameron, who was obtained from the New York Mets on Nov. 18. Left fielder Ryan Klesko is being moved to first base.
Brocail, who pitched for the Padres from 1992-94, must pass a physical this week before his deal is finalized. He pitched with Texas last year.
Rincon, Cards agree to deal: The St. Louis Cardinals took a step toward rebuilding their bullpen, reaching a preliminary agreement on a two-year, $2.9 million contract with free-agent pitcher Ricardo Rincon.
The contract is contingent on the 35-year-old left-hander passing a physical. Rincon’s agent, Dave Stewart, said his client chose the Cardinals over the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, White Sox and Oakland Athletics. Rincon played for the Athletics the last three seasons.
Easley to join D’backs: Free-agent utility infielder Damion Easley agreed to a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Easley hit .240 with 9 homers and 30 RBI last season for the Florida Marlins. A sprained right ankle ended his season in September.
Ponson gets five days in jail: Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail after being convicted of driving while impaired. District Judge James Mann ordered Ponson to report this afternoon to the Central Booking and Intake Center in Baltimore, where he is expected to serve his sentence. Once the sentence is complete, he will not serve any time on probation.
The judge also fined Ponson $500, plus court costs and fees totaling less than $60. Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested Ponson on Aug. 25 on Interstate 95 in Baltimore. Authorities said Ponson was stopped for tailgating. He was charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired. One week later, the Orioles terminated Ponson’s contract.
Source: http://www.dailyherald.com/
The Boston Red Sox promoted two of Theo Epstein’s former assistants to be co-general managers on Monday while offering to “keep the light on” if the most successful GM in franchise history wants to lend a hand.
“Certainly Theo is a good friend of all of us, and he’s worked very closely with these guys in the past,” team president Larry Lucchino said after splitting the general manager’s job between farm director Ben Cherington and assistant GM Jed Hoyer.
“The door has been really ajar for some time, and until Theo goes to work for another baseball organization, we’ll keep the light on in the window with the possibility of him coming back and helping us.”
Epstein walked away from the team on Halloween. But even without a GM, the Red Sox have been one of the most active teams this off-season, making major trades to acquire Florida pitcher Josh Beckett and unload struggling shortstop Edgar Renteria.
Hoyer and Cherington were among the so-called Four Horsemen who made those deals, along with special assistants Bill Lajoie and Craig Shipley. Lucchino, who spent a month evaluating outside GM candidates, turned in-house after the winter meetings in Dallas ended last week.
Both Hoyer and Cherington acknowledged that they weren’t fully prepared for the GM job on their own. “I wanted to experience a little bit more in baseball before taking on that job by myself,” said Cherington, who gave Hoyer his first job with the Red Sox.
The 32-year-old Hoyer has been working mostly with major-league transactions. Cherington, 31, has focused on the minor leaguers. They’ll maintain that division, though overlap is inevitable when the team, for example, wants to trade prospects for a major-leaguer.
“It made sense, given their personal compatibility and their experience, to do it together,” Lucchino said. “It made sense for us to divide things up.
“If there’s a better way to build a mousetrap, we’ll try that, too. But this is the way we’re committed to now. There’s more than one way to structure a front office.”
Lucchino, Hoyer and Cherington all downplayed the possibility that the co-GMs would reach a stalemate and need a deciding vote. Ownership has always had the final say, they said.
“There’s always more than one person involved in a deal,” Cherington said. “We’ll serve as a system of checks and balances to some degree.”
Other teams have tried co-GMs, most recently the Orioles with Mike Flanagan and Jim Beattie. The experiment did not work in Baltimore, Lucchino said, in part because the two hadn’t worked together and didn’t complement each other’s skills.
“I don’t think it’s unprecedented,” Lucchino said. “It’s unusual. But at this point, for the Red Sox, I think it’s the way to go.”
Lucchino would not comment on the terms of the agreements with the two New Hampshire natives — even to say how long their contracts will run — except to say they will have some role in the organization “for years to come.” That did nothing to dampen speculation that Epstein would come in above them.
Lucchino said it was up to the GMs to decide who would advise them.
“I think it’s probably fair to say there has been general discussion about Theo coming back in some shape or form,” Lucchino said. “It’s premature to discuss exactly what role, if any, Theo would have.”
Said Cherington: “I’d be excited about the opportunity to work with him again.”
“We’re not committed to this long term,” Cherington said. “It could be change is needed.”
Once the youngest GM in baseball history and still the only one to build a World Series champion in Boston, Epstein turned down a three-year, $4.5 million contract extension to replace the one that expired Oct. 31. Although he did not give his reasons, he said he could no longer could give his “entire heart and soul to the organization.”
“Theo’s an immensely talented guy who’s proved himself over the last several years here,” Lucchino said Monday. “And if he is comfortable and happy and feels he can be productive in this organization, in this structure, we would welcome him.”
Padres re-sign Roberts: Padres leadoff hitter Dave Roberts agreed to a $2.25 million contract for 2006, and San Diego closed in on a $1 million deal for reliever Doug Brocail. Roberts can make another $250,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
Roberts played center field for the Padres last year but will be moved to left field this season to make room for Mike Cameron, who was obtained from the New York Mets on Nov. 18. Left fielder Ryan Klesko is being moved to first base.
Brocail, who pitched for the Padres from 1992-94, must pass a physical this week before his deal is finalized. He pitched with Texas last year.
Rincon, Cards agree to deal: The St. Louis Cardinals took a step toward rebuilding their bullpen, reaching a preliminary agreement on a two-year, $2.9 million contract with free-agent pitcher Ricardo Rincon.
The contract is contingent on the 35-year-old left-hander passing a physical. Rincon’s agent, Dave Stewart, said his client chose the Cardinals over the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, White Sox and Oakland Athletics. Rincon played for the Athletics the last three seasons.
Easley to join D’backs: Free-agent utility infielder Damion Easley agreed to a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Easley hit .240 with 9 homers and 30 RBI last season for the Florida Marlins. A sprained right ankle ended his season in September.
Ponson gets five days in jail: Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail after being convicted of driving while impaired. District Judge James Mann ordered Ponson to report this afternoon to the Central Booking and Intake Center in Baltimore, where he is expected to serve his sentence. Once the sentence is complete, he will not serve any time on probation.
The judge also fined Ponson $500, plus court costs and fees totaling less than $60. Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested Ponson on Aug. 25 on Interstate 95 in Baltimore. Authorities said Ponson was stopped for tailgating. He was charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired. One week later, the Orioles terminated Ponson’s contract.
Source: http://www.dailyherald.com/
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