Red Sox owner John Henry and CEO Larry Lucchino declined to discuss the Cubs’ request to talk to GM Theo Epstein this morning, insisting that rival teams express interest in Boston’s personnel every year. In an extended appearance on WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan Show, Henry allowed that a “certain protocol in this game” generally dictates that teams allow employees to consider promotions.
Epstein could theoretically add president to his title in Chicago, which would be considered a promotion. It’s fair to assume that the longtime GM will move on from his current role at some point, though the transition won’t necessarily occur in the near future.
"I think there's a certain shelf life in these jobs," Henry said. "If you're sane, you can only be the general manager, you can only be the manager for a certain period of time. … Theo is not going to be the general manager forever."
Henry confirmed that the Red Sox would probably not have picked up their two-year $8.75MM option for Terry Francona after the season. The owner suggested that the decision to part ways wasn't completely mutual, since Francona made a decision before his bosses did.
Epstein has been searching for Boston’s next field manager along with assistant GM Ben Cherington. Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com hears that Dale Sveum is a candidate on their list. The former Red Sox coach has managed on an interim basis in Milwaukee.
I still gotta think that if Epstein jumps to Chicago it won’t take much time before Cherrington will be named the new GM.
Dale Sveum? Isn’t he the guy that used to send runners home from third no matter what the play?
Please…….that art was perfected by Wendell Kim way before Dale came along.
A Red Sox tradition that continues on with Tim Bogar.
Seriously, will we ever get a third base coach who knows better than to send guys like Jason Varitek on a shallow fly ball to left at Fenway?
O, Wendell.
Ah yes, Windmill Kim. Good times … good times.
Maybe Rac Slider from Joe Morgan’s days or anyone else other than ones the team has had of late. BTW.. Who was the 3B coach Damon was hollering at in post season back in 2004 for the late stop sign at 3B??
For opposing outfielders to show off their arm and hose people at the plate…
Send ’em Sveum? No, he never did that.
Who would the sox rather have? Larry or Theo? Who does more for this organization? If Larry isnt an owner then I’m ditching him and I’m doing what I have too to keep Theo and Cherington together….say Theo as President and Cherington GM and ADIOS Lucchino!
Dont tell John DiRienzo or soxfan0928. They think that theo will be in boston forever and they also think the the redsox are the greatest thing under the sun. I guess that they will see that its more than just a few people that are talking about theo leaving boston now.
If the redsox insist on compensation for theo I am sure that the cubs could send carlos zambrano to them if they paid his 2012 sallery.
I sure hope I never hear my boss say anything like that about me. Henry’s statement seems to indicate one of two things…either Theo is already out the door, or he thinks Theo is insane. Neither one can bode well for Theo.
?? Because he said that people can’t stay in the same position forever? I don’t see the problem there. He’s right, I wouldn’t be able to go to work everyday if I knew that there was zero chance for me to move up or progress; would you want to have the same position at your job for the rest of your life?
To me it sounds like this year is going to be a transition period to Cherington. What Theo does is going to be up in the air. I’m sure the owners would consider a promotion for him, but all indications said Theo isn’t interested in that kind of a job with a baseball team. On the other side – a lot of people say he’s starting to get burnt out.
What that tells me: Rather than pay him $10 million a year, the Red Sox ownership would rather promote Ben Cherington – who’s ready – once Theo’s contract is up and promote Theo in some way, shape or form. Theo’s not sure if he wants that. He may go to another team, take the promotion or leave baseball for a period of time. Sounds like ownership has a fairly clear vision of where they want to go, would like to include Theo, but if he’s not on board so be it. Whether he leaves this year or next is sort of irrelevant. I think after next year he’s done either way.
You could be right, but that only proves the point that people can’t stay in the same position forever.
Making millions of dollars to run a baseball team?
You know, I think I’d be alright with it.
I would too…for a certain period of time. Once I was set for life, though, I have to imagine there’d come a point where the stress, media scrutiny and idiot fans constantly second guessing me would far outweigh padding my bank account further past the point where I and my family are already set for life.
Well yeah, you and I can say that because we are used to our paychecks having fewer zeros on them, but having only worked in a world where that kind of money is commonplace it wouldn’t really be the same. The money isn’t an issue, but working your way up to more prestigious position, and more control/ownership becomes the issue. Regardless, being “stuck” in one job gets tiring after a while no matter how much money you make there.
Hell yeah! I love cleaning Fribble cups! Ain’t nothing going to get in my way 😉
You get it. The sox aren’t that extremely interested in retaining theo. The only reason that theo is still with the sox is because the cubs want him and btw the angels want him also. So lets give up 1 of our best prospects in brett jackson for a guy that the sox would be firing if cubs and angels had GM’s. That makes no sense and that is why I made the comment earlier that “If the redsox insist on compensation for theo I am sure that the cubs
could send carlos zambrano to them if they paid his 2012 sallery”
You’ve herd this before SARCASM a nown BS from yesterday.
Chico65 I completely agree with you. Its the other boston fans that are looking for something very very huge in return for someone that may well be fired soon.
noun*
Known*?
Oh. My bad. hahaaha
I’ve learned to decifer the nonsense.
Actually I think he meant “adnoun”. I got tangled up in the nonsense yesterday myself.
please tell me you did that on purpose
Did what?
For fear I might be stretching my sarcasm with that last comment, yes I did. I hope it brought a smile to your face.
A combo of noun and known? Like Brangelina?
I just think people (er the media) have worked themselves up into hysterics over this when this is probably a conversation that would be going on this offseason anyway. With Terry Francona, Larry Lucchino and Theo Epstein all coming to the end of their deals, a serious conversation about succession planning and the future has to be had whether they win the World Series or not. With the collapse factored in I think it’s just increased the focus.
I think Henry and Werner would love to bring Theo in as CEO or President. I also don’t think they’d be particularly bothered if he didn’t. Theo wants to stay in Boston, is burnt out from the GM job but hasn’t shown enthusiasm for a President’s position. He’s undecided. Sounds like management is ready to push for Cherington to succeed Theo as GM. If Theo bolts for the Cubs this year so be it. They’ll figure it out. Still, it’d be more ideal if Theo stuck around for a year and transitioned Cherington into the role.
I think it sounds like they have a clear vision and Theo’s not on board yet. That’s not to say he won’t be at some point, but he’s undecided right now. And if that’s the case – Theo’s gotta figure out what he’s doing pronto. Can’t hold up the Cubs, that’s not fair to them. Can’t hold up the Red Sox, that’s not fair to them. The longer this drags out the worse it is for everyone, so we’ll see.
That’s ridiculous, the Red Sox have reportedly asked for compensation just to talk to Theo, and you think they’ll let him walk without compensation? Right.
Wow just realized MLBTR left out a pretty important part of that quote from John Henry. Here’s the full quote:
“So Theo is not going to be the general manager forever. Just as if Tito (Francona) had come back for the last two years, would he have gone past 10 years? I can’t imagine that he would have. I think that Theo will. He’s the guy now, he’s been the guy, we’ve had tremendous success.”
Seems to paint a different picture.
Wow towney. If that’s the full quote then I am in 100% agreement- that certainly seems to paint quite a different picture…we’re talking preschool fingerpaintings to Rembrandt
no no no, he’s just “saving face”
Read the name Dale Sveum in this article then thought…wait that dude was 3rd base coach for the BoSox and loved playing windmill with his arm and always send runners at the wrong time and worst time. Then I scroll down and see people also remember it as well. Good times indeed.
Also being a Yankees fan, to be 100% honest the Red Sox would be much better off without Theo. He pulls the trigger on too many trades and horrible signings. The man is trigger happy and the farm system is thin these days with position players and pitching. It looks like my Yankees’ farm system from 2000-2005 where they had pretty much nothing! Theo is a waste of money. I am a baseball lover and I love seeing tight Red Sox – Yankees races and I was greatly disappointed in their collapse. Theo needs to go just as much as Cashman needs to “gtfo” of the Yankees front office. Theo and Cashman are polar opposites. Like I said with Theo, he is trigger happy. Cashman is extremely conservative and all the major moves have not been because of Cashman either. The major moves were made and forced upon him through the ownership. The Yankees were never supposed to get Teixeira or Soriano if you recall. Thos are just two that come to mind.
This Theo would get fired stuff is kinda funny. His positives WAYYYYYY outweigh his negatives. I’m tempted to get in on this convo, but reading these comments is making my head hurt already.
I don’t think it’s that very many think it should happen, but are worried that it may. But that’s just me, of course.
Sveum was an aggressive 3rd base coach. Not much aggressiveness for the Red Sox’s late this season. Maybe the season outcome would have been different.
“Sveum was an aggressive 3rd base coach. Not much aggressiveness for the Red Sox’s late this season.”
Funny story: one of the one run games the Sox lost late this season (Either the clincher or one of the TB games, I forget, reasonably sure it was the O’s as I think Markakis was the fielder) involved Scutaro getting thrown out at home by a mile after being sent by an aggressive third base coach.
If anybody thinks that Epstein will jump ship & go 2 the Cubs …U are all dead wrong…there have been reports all over the internet and other sources that Epstein will deny the Offer..and the Cubs will try and get Cherington word has it that a replacement for Cherington is being considered but not been confirmed…But the Cubs need 2 get something done..NOW..Cashman is a NO…Espstein will be a NO….so there goes the top two GM spots on the wish list…Friedman and Hahn and Cherington…and now the Former Angels GM they all maybe interviews I would not be surprized if Cherington or Friedman gets it…Rumors are being said Friedman would rather concider Houston because it’s closer to his hometown and family…I’m rooting 4 Friedman and Cherington….as far a compension 4 Epstein…that will not happen…it would be dumb 4 the CUBS 2 give compension 4 a guy that has pretty much said NO what would the cubs get nothing….and thats WRONG….
John Heyman does not qualify as reports all over the Internet.
John Heyman does not qualify as reports all over the Internet.