Article: Three Internal Names to Watch When the Red Sox Begin Their GM Search

[Alex Mayes]

As @Maddie Landis wrote last week here on Talk Sox, Craig Breslow is finally beginning his search for a general manager this offseason. Breslow has operated quite well as the President of Baseball Operations without a true general manager, but it was long suspected he would eventually name someone to the position to help fill out the front office. Breslow will remain in charge of making final decision,s but the new general manager should be able to take some of the day-to-day tasks off Breslow’s plate, which should be a welcome change across the league if reports of Breslow being difficult to negotiate with are to be believed. The tall task is narrowing down a list of possible candidates for the position.

Internally speaking, there are three names that make the most sense.

#1: Paul Toboni

Toboni, 35, is currently one of four assistant general managers in the Red Sox’s system. He was hired by the Red Sox 10 years ago as an intern, then was promoted to area scout, then again to director of amateur scouting, vice president of amateur scouting and player development, then finally to Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager. To say Toboni has had a rocket ship strapped to him since coming on as an intern would be an understatement. He’s proven to have a keen eye for talent and should he become the full-time GM of the team, he would be able to put that talent to even further use as he becomes the point-man in trade and free-agent conversations. Toboni also fits the ‘youth movement’ of the organization and is becoming one of the more established names in the league. He’s also in consideration for the Nationals' general manager position according to industry sources.

#2: Raquel Ferreira

Ferreira, 54, has been with the Red Sox since she was hired as an administrative assistant in 1999. In 2003, Theo Epstein, currently part of the front office group again, promoted her to the Director of Minor League Administration position where she went on to help overhaul the team’s rookie development program. She was once again promoted in 2014 to Vice President of Baseball Operations and then was promoted once again in 2023 to Assistant General Manager. Between those promotions, she held multiple roles within the organization such as Senior Vice President, Major and Minor League Operations; Vice President, Major and Minor League Operations; Vice President, Baseball Administration; Senior Director, Minor League Operations; Director, Minor League Operations; and Director, Minor League Administration. She has also served on the Red Sox’ Social Justice, Equality, and Inclusion Advisory Committee as well as the MLB Women’s Advisory Council. She has had her hands in all four of the World Series championships the Red Sox have won this century and has carved her own path through the organization. There was belief she could be in line for the President of Baseball Operations position that was ultimately accepted by Breslow, but she declined the opportunity to interview for the position, citing family reasons. A promotion to general manager could be something that interests her, though.

#3: Alex Cora

Cora, 49, is the current manager of the Boston Red Sox. He’s made comments in the past that have hinted at his desire to transition to a role with the front office sooner than later. The soon-to-be open general manager position could help to bring that to a reality. Cora is known as a players' manager. The guys on his team seemingly love to play for him and losing him out of the dugout could be a step in the wrong direction if his replacement doesn’t match his same confidence. As the kids say, Cora has "aura". He’s cool but he runs a tight ship and doesn’t have a problem making decisions that seemingly buck traditional thinking. The fact that he was in the front office during this year’s trade deadline speaks volumes to his interest in the position. Bringing someone like Cora into the front office could help negotiations with other teams since he is such a smooth talker and he doesn’t get caught up in high-level explanations that have bogged Breslow down from time to time. If he’s serious about making the jump to the front office, expect to hear his name a lot this offseason until a general manager is named.

[For those doubting his actual candidacy, remember that Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens made the same transition from the bench to the front office just a few years ago.]

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There are other internal candidates for the general manager position that make sense, but these three jump out the most. Could the team look outside the organization? Absolutely, but with the rumor that they struggled to find candidates for the President of Baseball Operations job, they could continue to invest in their internal talent. It takes a certain kind of person to operate in the Boston market and hiring from inside the organization seems to be the most likely move. Lining up replacements for any of the names mentioned here, though, could be a much taller task.

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[mvp 78]

Internal option would be the worst option. Just a pointless decision. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

52 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Internal option would be the worst option. Just a pointless decision. 

Security would get to print new IDs with new titles for the same employee/s.

Insecurity would get to monitor new threads about new names to blame by online insultants.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

There are no internal options that are qualified, but we all know that never matters when it comes to Cora.

[jad]

27 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

There are no internal options that are qualified, but we all know that never matters when it comes to Cora.

would you review Ferreira's c.v. above and explain, slowly and clearly so that we understand, exactly what you see there that makes her unqualified.   Because I see only one detail there that might send a certain class of fans into a tizzy.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

10 hours ago, jad said:

would you review Ferreira's c.v. above and explain, slowly and clearly so that we understand, exactly what you see there that makes her unqualified.   Because I see only one detail there that might send a certain class of fans into a tizzy.

In 2019 after DD was fired a triumvirate of non-qualified GMs were a temporary solution before the owners stuck a knife in the hearts of the Red Sox fans and hired Bloom.  One of the three incompetents was Ferreira.

What made all three incompetent?  1 - INEXPERIENCE the same thing that made Cora incompetent to be the manager.  The same thing that made Bloom incompetent.

How did her incompetence set back the Red Sox?  In 2019 the idiot Cora decided to change the mechanics of our best pitcher Chris Sale during the season (in May).  The change led to inflammation in the elbow, and he hit the IL and we lost him for a while then he brought him back and made it worse in August shortly before Dd got fired for wanting to sign Mookie to a LT contract that would keep the franchise player in Boston. 

The new GMs including Ferreira should have insisted on TJ surgery immediately because by having September surgery he would have recovered in time for the 2021 season including spring training.  Instead, the three incompetent temps didn't act responsibly and let the issue slide until Bloom came on board.  Then Blood let it slide until COVID was declared in March.  The August to March delay cost Sale a year of active playing time and it allowed Bloom to further destroy the championship team.

So, no thanks to ANY unqualified GM.  THEY MUST HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH BRESLOW.

We can't afford another mistake like not letting Breslow pick his own manager.  We'll be lucky to make the playoffs with Cora running the show incompetently despite all the talent Breslow has added.  The formula for success has always been about experienced people in key positions.  There is a reason we were great under Dombrowski and Theo.  There is a reason Tito had so much success and even Farrell. 

You can't let diversity create a cancer that replaces the true need for meritocracy when making business decisions.  The country has proven that diversity is NOT a successful business model and it's not even good as a political model as the left has proven.  We need the MOST QUALIFIED PERSON regardless of race, creed, color or political affiliation.  The same is true whether we are talking about owners, front office, managers, coaches or players.  The long time American value of meritocracy needs to be returned to the forefront of society to improve the productivity of the baseball team, American business and American politics.  

Success is dependent on those who can identify the real successful, experienced people to hire.

 

[mvp 78]

14 hours ago, jad said:

would you review Ferreira's c.v. above and explain, slowly and clearly so that we understand, exactly what you see there that makes her unqualified.   Because I see only one detail there that might send a certain class of fans into a tizzy.

She's qualified. Eddie Romero Jr is qualified (not listed in the article, but did apply for Craig's position). I would have supported either hire before they brought Craig in. 

I think I'd just like a more senior person brought in to help with the communication aspect of things to help Craig with some of his missteps. Seems like Theo is too busy with overall FSG things to just focus on the Red Sox day to day. 

[Bellhorn04]

4 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

We can't afford another mistake like not letting Breslow pick his own manager.  We'll be lucky to make the playoffs with Cora running the show incompetently despite all the talent Breslow has added.  The formula for success has always been about experienced people in key positions.  There is a reason we were great under Dombrowski and Theo.  There is a reason Tito had so much success and even Farrell. 

Theo did not have experience when he joined the Sox.  So much for that theory!

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

She's qualified. Eddie Romero Jr is qualified (not listed in the article, but did apply for Craig's position). I would have supported either hire before they brought Craig in. 

I think I'd just like a more senior person brought in to help with the communication aspect of things to help Craig with some of his missteps. Seems like Theo is too busy with overall FSG things to just focus on the Red Sox day to day. 

My issue is that this feels out of order.  Breslow should be our GM and the communication specialist/experienced hypothetical person you seek should be above him.

[drewski6]

If Breslow can recruit and make a great hire, someone sought after who he can convince to join his team, it will be quite the feather in his cap.  But we'll see

If someone has options, Im not sure GM under Breslow is the winning role.  Im also not sure Breslow wont just hire a yes man.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

My issue is that this feels out of order.  Breslow should be our GM and the communication specialist/experienced hypothetical person you seek should be above him.

It's just not how they did the hiring. 🫠 Nobody with any experience wanted to go through the hiring process the whole way through for various reasons. 

[Bellhorn04]

I have no freaking idea why we need a GM when we have a CBO and plenty of other front office people.  

[TedYazPapiMookie]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Theo did not have experience when he joined the Sox.  So much for that theory!

He did the second time he was hired.  So much for a know it all that doesn't.  Consistently not reading the comment at face value seems to be an issue.  It's really important to comprehend comments and not read into them your perspective.  Apology accepted.

[dgalehouse]

How many G.M.s and assistant G.M.s does it take to change a light bulb?  This seems like a lot of unnecessary overhead and overlapping duties. Whose turn to take the lunch orders today?  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

30 minutes ago, dgalehouse said:

How many G.M.s and assistant G.M.s does it take to change a light bulb?  This seems like a lot of unnecessary overhead and overlapping duties. Whose turn to take the lunch orders today?  

I don't know how many it takes, probably more than 2. But please let it be Cora who gets the job just so he's no longer manager.

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

It's just not how they did the hiring. 🫠 Nobody with any experience wanted to go through the hiring process the whole way through for various reasons. 

Yes, I get thats how we got into this mess, but I wish it didnt go down like that.  When they couldnt get the cream to seriously apply/stay applied/serious candidates for CBO, they went and hired a newb at CBO and now thats gonna cause problems if you want an experienced GM to help the CBO.  Hes either gonna have to be very old (e.g. semi-retired) or like have a few domestics on his criminal record.  Cuz if you couldnt get someone great for CBO, you arent going to get em for GM who reports to a stiff CBO

So most likley Breslow hires a friend.

[drewski6]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I don't know how many it takes, probably more than 2. But please let it be Cora who gets the job just so he's no longer manager.

1. Fire Breslow
2. Hire Cora to CBO
3. Have Cora interview Breslow for GM, and if they truly are getting along - and Cora wants Breslow - fine

Or make up a role above CBO and put Cora in there

No way should Coras job be in Breslows hands.

[drewski6]

the problem is breslow is not a cbo. hes a gm with an inflated title

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I don't know how many it takes, probably more than 2. But please let it be Cora who gets the job just so he's no longer manager.

Btw, Cora is excellent at BS, so he'll be a much better communicator with other teams than Brez.

Edited September 17, 2025 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

3 hours ago, drewski6 said:

1. Fire Breslow
2. Hire Cora to CBO
3. Have Cora interview Breslow for GM, and if they truly are getting along - and Cora wants Breslow - fine

Or make up a role above CBO and put Cora in there

No way should Coras job be in Breslows hands.

Make Cora head of public relations. Put his BS to good use 

[moonslav59]

7 hours ago, drewski6 said:

My issue is that this feels out of order.  Breslow should be our GM and the communication specialist/experienced hypothetical person you seek should be above him.

So, Brez should hire Cora to be his own boss?

Isn't the GM usually the guy doing the talking?

[mvp 78]

20 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I have no freaking idea why we need a GM when we have a CBO and plenty of other front office people.  

It's not the size of the FO, it's how you use it. 

[moonslav59]

53 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It's not the size of the FO, it's how you use it. 

Post of the Month.

[drewski6]

16 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

So, Brez should hire Cora to be his own boss?

Isn't the GM usually the guy doing the talking?

I dont think thats how its going to go down, Im just saying in my ideal world , Cora is CBO and Brez is GM.

But if Cora gets move to GM, than that shows that they are working together effectively and Brez has sold Cora, and that would make me embrace Brez.  When you come in above someone in an organization above them, but they have been there longer, and you can get them to buy into your vision/leadership - thats evidence of a good boss/leadership

[Bellhorn04]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think thats how its going to go down, Im just saying in my ideal world , Cora is CBO and Brez is GM.

But if Cora gets move to GM, than that shows that they are working together effectively and Brez has sold Cora, and that would make me embrace Brez.  When you come in above someone in an organization above them, but they have been there longer, and you can get them to buy into your vision/leadership - thats evidence of a good boss/leadership

I'm a Cora fan, but what evidence is there he'd be a better CBO than manager?

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think thats how its going to go down, Im just saying in my ideal world , Cora is CBO and Brez is GM.

But if Cora gets move to GM, than that shows that they are working together effectively and Brez has sold Cora, and that would make me embrace Brez.  When you come in above someone in an organization above them, but they have been there longer, and you can get them to buy into your vision/leadership - thats evidence of a good boss/leadership

I do think Cora is a better communicator, and he has made statements near some past deadlines that give us reason to think he views things with a little more urgency. I'm not sure that is the plus many here seem to think we've lacked from year-to-year.

I think Cora would be a plus GM or CBO, or whatever title they give him.

[drewski6]

12 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I'm a Cora fan, but what evidence is there he'd be a better CBO than manager?

I just think that baseball has gone too far in the direction of nerds/analytics, and Im not against that kind of stuff.  Im a nerdy analyst myself.  But I miss when baseball was more human.  We swap names as if they arent all individuals.  Everyone is an individual. Everyone is a human. Cora sees the human in a human, Brez sees the stat line.  In my experience, the best leaders are the Cora types. They get people to buy in. They get the most out of their human resoursces.  Someone like Brez , who is gifted at the number-crunching/analytics - these type of people are great assets to any org as well, but they usually arent chief executive types.

The best coder on the IT staff may not be the best Chief Technology Officer.  As the latter is more about higher level vision, working with other departments.  The best analyst may not be the best CEO.

Cora understands humans, people like that generally should go to the tippy top.  ANd it causes friction.  IVe been in corp america. Ive had to sit down with rockstar coders and try to get them to realize that they really dont want the director job.  Thats why you hvae like Coder IV, coder III, coder II, sr coder, jr coder....You have all these levels so you can promote your rockstar coders and keep giving them raises but you are also keeping them coding and not leading/managing.