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The Theo Epstein years: The good, the bad and the ugly transactions Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 12, 2011 03:21 PM By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Theo Epstein’s first transaction as the general manager of the Red Sox was signing lefthanded reliever Steve Woodard on Nov. 25, 2002. His last was to acquire 1B/OF Conor Jackson from Oakland for righthanded reliever Jason Rice and cash on Aug. 31, 2011. During his nearly nine years on the job Epstein made hundreds of deals. Some worked out and others didn’t. Here’s a breakdown of the more memorable ones. FREE AGENTS Finds DH David Ortiz (2003, 1 year, $1.2 million) INF Bill Mueller (2002, 2 years, $4.5 million) RHP Keith Foulke (2004, 3 years, $20.2 million) LHP Hideki Okajima (2006, 2 years, $2.5 million) RHP Takashi Saito (2009, 1 year, $1.5 million) 3B Adrian Beltre (2010, 1 year, $9 million) RHP Alfredo Aceves (2011, I year, $650,000) Busts SS Edgar Renteria (2004, 4 years, $40 million) RHP Matt Clement (2004, 3 years, $25.8 million) SS Julio Lugo (2006, 4 years, $36 million) RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2006, 6 years, $52 million plus $51 million posting fee) RHP Brad Penny (2008, 1 year, $5 million) RHP John Smoltz (2009, 1 year, $5.5 million) RHP John Lackey (2009, 5 years, $82.5 million) OF Mike Cameron (2009, 2 years, $15.5 million) RHP Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million) Mixed reviews LHP David Wells (2004, 2 years, $8.1 million) OF J.D. Drew (2007, 5 years, $70 million) SS Marco Scutaro (2009, 2 years, $12.5 million) Too soon to tell OF Carl Crawford (2010, 7 years, $142 million) TRADES Good swaps 1B Kevin Millar for cash (2003, from Marlins) RHP Scott Williamson for two prospects (2003, from Reds) RHP Curt Schilling for four prospects (2003, from Diamondbacks) INF Mark Bellhorn for one prospect (2003 from Dodgers) 1B Doug Mientkiewicz and SS Orlando Cabrera for SS Nomar Garciaparra and OF Matt Murton (2004 with Twins and Expos) OF Dave Roberts for OF Henri Stanley (2004 from Dodgers) OF Jason Bay for OF Manny Ramirez, RHP Craig Hansen and OF Brandon Moss (2008 with Pirates and Dodgers) SS Alex Gonzales for a prospect (2009 from Reds) C Jarrod Saltalamacchia for three prospects (2010 from Rangers) 1B Adrian Gonzalez for three prospects (2010 from Padres) Bad swaps OF Wily Mo Pena for RHP Bronson Arroyo (2006 from Reds) C Doug Mirabelli for RHP Cla Meredith and C Josh Bard (2006 from Padres) RHP Eric Gagne for OF David Murphy and two prospects (2007 from Rangers) Mixed reviews RHP Byung-Hyun Kim for INF Shea Hillenbrand (2003 from Diamondbacks) C-1B Victor Martinez for RHP Justin Masterson and two prospects (2009 from Guardians) CONTRACT EXTENSIONS Good deals RHP Tim Wakefield (2006, 1 year, $4 million with recurring options) DH David Ortiz (2004, 2 years, $12.5 million) RHP Josh Beckett (2006, 3 years, $30 million) 2B Dustin Pedroia (2008, 6 years, $40.5 million) 3B Kevin Youkilis (2009, 4 years, $41.13 million) LHP Jon Lester (2009, 5 years, $30 million) Bad deals OF Coco Crisp (2006, 3 years, $15.5 million) RHP Joel Piniero (2007, 1 year, $4 million) RHP Curt Schilling (2007, 1 year, $8 million) 3B Mike Lowell (2007, 3 years, $37.5 million) Too soon to tell Josh Beckett (2010, 4 years, $68 million) Clay Buchholz (2011, 4 years, $29.95 million) Adrian Gonzalez (2011, 7 years, $154 million)

Rain delay is over. First pitch at 6:30. BTW, go Emmz! lol

Exactly to both. They were known to drink in 2004 but that didn't matter b/c they won the WS. The Boston media will begin crapping on them relentlessly again Shank will be Shank and they'll probably bring Edes back, he was always great a crapping on the team.

DITTO! Missed ya tons ORS! I also agree w/ 2 & 3.

Varitek as the manager? Not yet, if ever Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 11, 2011 11:08 AM By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff We asked the question yesterday whether the Red Sox should keep Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield next season. Nearly 13,000 readers voted in the poll. A few dozen of them also e-mailed to suggest that the Red Sox hire Varitek as their manager and retain Wakefield as a coach. I understand that sentiment. Wakefield and Varitek have been with the team for a long time and have handled themselves with professionalism throughout. But the odds of them staying on as the manager or a coach are very slim. For starters, both have said they want to continue playing. Whether that is in Boston or somewhere else, it is certainly their prerogative to continue trying to play. It also would be incredibly difficult to go from playing one year to coaching or managing the next. Most players take some time with that transition, either by taking some time off or working in the minors. It also would be tough to go from playing with somebody to managing them or coaching them. There has to be a line and drawing that line is difficult if you're too close to that player. The other reason is financial. Varitek has earned approximately $65 million in his career and Wakefield $54 million. They simply won't need jobs once they retire from playing. There are some prominent former players who decide to stay in the game (Don Mattingly, for instance) but most are content to enjoy the fruits of their success. Can't blame them for that. Coaching and managing is hard work. You arrive at spring training in early February and for 162 games, you're at the ballpark four or five hours before the game preparing scouting reports, throwing batting practice or watching video. It's also a very transient profession and not a particularly well-paid one when compared to playing. Most coaches are guys who need jobs and they put up with the rigors. Varitek is getting married this offseason and has three daughters from his first marriage. A few months ago, when I asked him about the idea of managing, he looked at me like I was crazy. "Maybe someday," he said. "A long time from now. Maybe." As for Wakefield, I've never once got the impression that he would want to coach. He's a smart guy and surely he could learn the profession. But let's face it, he throws a knuckleball and his skill set as a pitcher doesn't exactly translate to coaching. The Red Sox are a major market team built to win now. They're not the kind of team where you break in an inexperienced manager and/or coach. Jason might be a great candidate 10 years from now. But in 2012? Not a chance.

Epstein deal with Cubs close to completion Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 12, 2011 11:05 AM Theo Epstein appears headed to the Cubs to become their team president. The deal would be for five years and approximately $20 million according to reports. Until it's official, it's not official. Let's not forget, Theo got his job in the first place only after Billy Beane decided to come to the Red Sox then changed his mind. But all indications are this process should be settled in 24-48 hours. Do not expect lavish compensation from the Cubs or forcing them to take on a bad contract. Epstein does have a year remaining on his contract but is taking a better job. Precedent suggests the Red Sox get a few prospects. Do expect Ben Cherington to swiftly be named GM of the Red Sox. He clearly has the confidence of the ownership group, the experience and the institutional knowledge to handle the job. From that point, Cherington would lead the search for a new manager. Clearly, given what we now know of this team, they need a manager who can corral the wayward players on the roster into a cohesive unit. Or at least get them to pay attention to the game. What will be most interesting is whether John Henry steps up at some point to address this situation beyond Twitter or the team's flagship radio station. The perception is that the Red Sox are a team in chaos — which isn't necessarily the case — and only Henry can change that. To date, he has not. Finally, it speaks poorly of the prominent players on the roster that only Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz to a lesser extent have been willing to step up and accept some responsibility for what happened. Extraordinary measures were taken to try and get Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, John Lackey, Jason Varitek and others to give their sides of this and all have so far refused. The players likely think that this can all be swept away with a few "the past is the past" comments in spring training and vague promises to work hard. But in hearing from fans, it's not going to be that easy. This has become a very unlikable team. A big part of Cherington's task this winter may be changing the personality of this team to whatever degree he can, both for baseball and business reasons. As a first-time GM, he is inheriting a huge challenge.

I hate it too, but it is time. Just like with Tito. They both will suceed, wherever they go.

Nice steal Dirks!

I agree.

Tigers are still leaving too many men on base. Tighten up fella's! Good luck with all the injuries and what not. Make this series exciting!

Who is that? You have referred to him twice tonight.

Owner's never get canned. See Peter Angelos and Dan Snyder.

The game was tied. Even if Buckner had made the play, Wilson still may have been safe at first. If he got him out, it would have gone into extra innings.

I read today that it never even rained in Texas last night. Good call by the forecasters.

We all do bro.

I like both these teams, so I'm torn.