Earlier today, it was reported that former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto had joined the Red Sox’ front office on an interim basis to serve in an advisory capacity in the offseason. That came from Peter Gammons, who also said today in an MLB Network appearance (video link, with Red Sox talk beginning at about 5:15) that he can “see them at least making overtures to bringing in Pat Gillick” as an adviser to be another voice in the front office. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Red Sox haven’t yet sought permission to speak to the 77-year-old Gillick, who is stepping down as Phillies president at season’s end and giving way to Andy MacPhail. As Cafardo notes, the idea in the addition of some extra advisers is to bring some fresh sets of eyes to the Red Sox’ decision-making process.
Elsewhere in the AL East…
- Red Sox manager John Farrell addressed the addition of Dipoto following today’s loss to the Marlins, as WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford writes. Said the Sox skipper: “He’s come in to review our system, our big league club. I know it’s an objective view to be brought in and give feedback, information to Ben, his assessment and recommendations going forward.” Bradford likens the hiring to that of Allard Baird, the former Royals GM who joined the Red Sox as a consultant after he was dismissed in Kansas City. Baird, though, went on to assume a more permanent position with the Sox, as he’s currently their vice president of player personnel. A similar outcome could conceivably be in store for Dipoto, though as Ken Rosenthal reported earlier today, Dipoto’s free to GM opportunities with other clubs at any time.
- The Yankees elected to hang onto their top prospects rather than make a huge splash at the non-waiver trade deadline, and owner Hal Steinbrenner told the New York Post’s Ken Davidoff that he played a part in that decision. “I don’t think we kind of had the glaring need that you would address by giving up one of your Triple-A prospects,” said Steinbrenner. “…I didn’t want to give those kids up. We’ve been looking at them for two, three years now. They’ve progressed perfectly.” Steinbrenner noted that he was particularly reluctant to do so for a “loaner,” adding that the proximity of much of the organization’s minor league talent to the big league level was another factor.
- Garrett Jones is at somewhat of a crossroads after again being designated for assignment by the Yankees, writes George A. King III of the New York Post. The veteran first baseman/outfielder is well-liked by his teammates and the coaches and told King that the feeling is mutual, making it difficult to leave. However, he’s also wary about having been let go twice, though, King writes. “I have to talk to my agent and wife and see what’s best for my career: Stay here or go to the new team,” Jones said. King also provides health updates on Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley.
- Desmond Jennings’ prolonged stint on the disabled list is over, as the Rays announced to reporters, including Sports Talk Florida’s Matt Stein (Twitter link), that Joey Butler will be optioned to make room for Jennings’ return Friday. Jennings has been out since late April due to a left knee injury and underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the issue a little more than two months ago.
Well, it was my hope that the Sox would replace Cherington with DiPoto, but I guess this would be the next best thing. I still believe we need new personnel in the front office. We keep on making the same mistakes, over and over, and that means new eyes, with different perspectives, would be a major improvement. Not just in the evaluation stages, but in the execution stages, where it counts most.
I believe your biggest issue was already addressed with Larry Lucchino departing from the CEO job. Most every one feels he was a cancer to the club making bad decisions and not letting the front office make the right calls. He would what seamed like over rule any baseball decisions made on trades and free agent singing’s. I am not saying Cherington is the great one but I say give him a year and see how things go now with out Larry Lucchino in the mix. You may find the team improves greatly with a few pitching additions and subtractions like Hanley.
I disagree. I think Lucchino was more reliant on traditional scouting and made better decisions. I think Theo and Cherington have introduced analytics that have actually dragged down the quality of the decisions being made. I think the problems of the last few years have been because Lucchino was losing influence, rather than wielding it.
The Red Sox throw money at names. Usually players. They did that last off-season. Now they have a roster that can’t play together. So to cure that they’re going to bring in some names for their front office and watch them not play together? What exactly is this DiPoto thing about? Let’s see – he’s going to “consult” for a few months? Un-huh. So if the Red Sox don’t hire him and he goes to work for another ALE team he tells them what’s going on on the inside of the Red Sox….and the Red Sox know how he’s doing things? I’d suggest the following……
Henry – who it has come out made the the Gonzalez / Crawford / Beckett salary dump trade with Stan Kaston – is now pitting DiPoto against Cherington and maybe Kennedy. This may be good when one has a bunch of commodity traders working for them, but baseball teams are made up of human beings that have to work and play together; not breathing assets with measurable variables attached to them.
So DiPoto will be doing what Allard Baird is doing? Maybe Pat Gillick comes in and says some things? How many high-level people do they bring in for a “new set of eyes”? How about they decide if the people they have are not doing the job, and if so, they bring in someone(s) else and leave them alone.
I pretty much agree.
Hanley has not been an uninjured elite player since he was 26 years old – most players hit their prime at 27, but Hanley hit a wall.
On top of that, the Sox staffed their rotation with a bunch of #4 starters – at hefty price tags financially and/or prospect-wise.
Now they feel they need Jerry DiPoto to tell them this? When everyone who follows baseball and is not employed by the Red Sox has been telling them this since spring training?
Must be nice to have money to throw away….
Pat Gillick owns part of the Phillies. It’d be quite a coup for a team owner to leave a team for another team, but they are the Red Sox after all. So it’s possible.
Up until the all star break, just about everyone owned the Phillies
I actually laughed out loud at this. Touche
My understanding was Larry got the call from the Dodgers and helped BenC make the deal.?
Maybe JH was tired of hearing a different version of the Infamous Dodger/Sox Bailout.
We all have our hope when this season comes to a merciful end; that Ortiz gets his 500 HR and surpasses a few more household baseball names on the RBI list so he can ride off to the H of F with a $16 M Community Service guarantee so he doesn’t return next season to the Sox.
If someone can straighten out this team that would warrant Exec. of the year–it’s going to be a couple of years.
Read ‘The Best Team Money Can Buy’ – by Molly Knight. The way the deal went down was sort of humorous…..or at least the way she wrote it.
“Jerry DiPoto came in here to find out if I know what the heck I’m doing…and I, for one, am excited to find out.”. —John Farrell