Breaking news: Theo Epstein is now a Red Sox minority owner and advisor

[Bellhorn04]

https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2024/theo-epstein-returns-to-fenway-1234765152/

 

Interesting development.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Now that's the SPLASH we've been waiting for all winter.

[Bellhorn04]

It might not do a thing for the 2024 team, but it does qualify as good news for a change.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It might not do a thing for the 2024 team, but it does qualify as good news for a change.

 

I just can't see Theo deciding after all these years of success, that he's looking forward to buying into the Red Sox just in time for their tank... (plus, a small cut in the profits on sales of warm beer in plastic cups).

[Old Red]

It might not do a thing for the 2024 team, but it does qualify as good news for a change.

 

Will he be the new LL?

[Bellhorn04]

Will he be the new LL?

 

Gotta hope so.

[mvp 78]

Seems like it’s more about FSG in general than Red Sox per the article.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Will he be the new LL?

 

You mean, will anyone be surprised in a year or so when Breslow's title is renamed as General Manager of Systemic Pitching Dynamics... while Theo's advisory role advises who to sign and who to trade? Not for a second.

 

Like Sam just said, "Theo is trusted here." (unlike Green Eggs and Sam-I-Am)

[Dipre]

Seems like it’s more about FSG in general than Red Sox per the article.

 

Doesn't matter, got gorilla suit back.

[mvp 78]

Doesn't matter, got gorilla suit back.

 

Maybe he can just advise Henry to get his head out of his ass and then he’ll let Crag do his thing.

Edited February 2, 2024 by mvp 78

[Dipre]

Maybe he can just advise Henry to get his head out of his ass and the he’ll let Crag do his thing.

 

Literally all we need from him.

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe he can just advise Henry to get his head out of his ass and the he’ll let Crag do his thing.

 

That and sign a damn starting pitcher, and we're back in the mix.

[Elktonnick]

I do not see this as good news. While I think Theo is a premier sports executive, it is just another instance of a huge FO bureaucracy. There are already too many chefs in the kitchen. Breslow will be under even more scrutiny if that is possible.

[jacksonianmarch]

I don’t like this news. I really don’t like this news

[jad]

Wow. With the amount of intellectual energy that has been expended on this board, obviously a number of us must have seen this coming ... anyone?

[Dipre]

I do not see this as good news. While I think Theo is a premier sports executive, it is just another instance of a huge FO bureaucracy. There are already too many chefs in the kitchen. Breslow will be under even more scrutiny if that is possible.

 

I don't see it. If anything, this should reduce Henry et al's involvement in day to day operations and unify the FO's voice. He's getting a partnership stake in FSG. They wouldn't go so high for his services unless it was a truly impact position. Aren't we whining about how cheap he is? He's paying top dollar for Epstein to come back.

[Bellhorn04]

I do not see this as good news. While I think Theo is a premier sports executive, it is just another instance of a huge FO bureaucracy. There are already too many chefs in the kitchen. Breslow will be under even more scrutiny if that is possible.

 

Well, this time at least we added a smart guy instead of another stupid one.

 

Also, Theo worked closely with Breslow with the Cubs. They already have a good relationship. That can't hurt.

[Hugh2]

There's nothing Theo can do to add value to the W/L column in 2024, but I think he can be a vital asset moving forward and this move is overall good for the Red Sox.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Any Red Sox fans doubting this move, already knows the answer to this question: which owner of the Red Sox has had the most success ruining a baseball team?

 

Now, replace the "i" with another "n" .... which current owner of the Red Sox has had the most success running a baseball team?

[Elktonnick]

Well, this time at least we added a smart guy instead of another stupid one.

 

Also, Theo worked closely with Breslow with the Cubs. They already have a good relationship. That can't hurt.

 

Excellent point! Now in retrospect I recall Epstein was in Boston just prior to Breslow hire. I presume Theo may have recommended him for the job. I am reconsidering my skepticism.

[Dipre]

There's nothing Theo can do to add value to the W/L column in 2024, but I think he can be a vital asset moving forward and this move is overall good for the Red Sox.

 

Yes he can, if given the authority-

[vegasbob]

The prodigal son returns and none too soon to rescue the image of JH. Will he become de facto CBO ? Not likely , because that implies Breslow is not up to it. Now if Henry had brought Theo in about 2 years into Bloom's stint, we might be somewhere now instead of looking up the tailpipe of the newly owned Orioles, and the rest of the AL East.

[moonslav59]

The prodigal son returns and none too soon to rescue the image of JH. Will he become de facto CBO ? Not likely , because that implies Breslow is not up to it. Now if Henry had brought Theo in about 2 years into Bloom's stint, we might be somewhere now instead of looking up the tailpipe of the newly owned Orioles, and the rest of the AL East.

 

Maybe Theo will be our next Lucchino.

[jad]

I'll need to see results. My skepticism is due to what I've seen in all corporations, including the one I worked in: Whenever there is an announcement about radical improvements, greater investment, etc., the first (and generally only) thing ownership does is hire more administrators.

[Hugh2]

Yes he can, if given the authority-

 

If THeo was given full authority he's not going out and making a ton of moves. He probably views the Sox as an organization that needs 2-3 years to fix.

 

He's not going to sign Montgomery or SNell and trade for a guy. And if he was are they demoting Breslow before they really even let him have the job? is he a fake POBO?

 

I don't know what the plan is, but I know what I would LIKE the plan to be. This is still Breslows team to run, but Theo is the guy he reports to now and not Henry. If he needs more money, or wants to over the cap for someone some year, or wants to hand out a franchise altering contract, it's going through Epstein. Epstein is given full power a owner would have with the forsight to know when it makes baseball sense and not just dollars and cents.

[Dipre]

If THeo was given full authority he's not going out and making a ton of moves. He probably views the Sox as an organization that needs 2-3 years to fix.

 

He's not going to sign Montgomery or SNell and trade for a guy. And if he was are they demoting Breslow before they really even let him have the job? is he a fake POBO?

 

I don't know what the plan is, but I know what I would LIKE the plan to be. This is still Breslows team to run, but Theo is the guy he reports to now and not Henry. If he needs more money, or wants to over the cap for someone some year, or wants to hand out a franchise altering contract, it's going through Epstein. Epstein is given full power a owner would have with the forsight to know when it makes baseball sense and not just dollars and cents.

 

But he could sign some average pitchers to round out this rotation. This team doesn't need Snell or Montgomery to improve on last year's pitching disaster.

[vegasbob]

Thinking out of the box, maybe Breslow went to JH et alia and said , you have reneged on the commitment I thought we had. Either bring in a real baseball guy to supervise or I'm out. Not too likely, but the result is hopefully the same. A trusted voice with minority owner status to buffer the rest of the owners , and let the Red Sox FO run the program within some defined budget but no OK's on individual moves, including FA contracts.

 

All that said, it could have been, Theo come in and take a look at the PGA proposals, the Penguins and Fenway Roush , but leave Craig Breslow alone. We have him under control.

[Hitch]

This is an excellent move. The team may not have gotten much better but the organisational hirings this off season have been very impressive.

 

That Theo and Bres have history is also very encouraging.

[a700hitter]

Will he be the new LL?

Wasn’t LL the President?

[Old Red]

Wasn’t LL the President?

 

According to JH it was LL who ran the Red Sox. At least with Theo on board the Red Sox have a real baseball guy unlike Sam, but that doesn’t mean that JH will take any advice from him.