With the rumor mill swirling around all of New England about a potential return with the Red sox, does a Theo Epstein re hire make sense?
While there has been no linked names to replace Dave Dombrowski as of yet, Red Sox fans, analysts, and even outlandish radio hosts alike have brought Epstein’s name out of mid air. At the peak of his career with the ballclub, he helped assemble the dream team that had broken the 86 year curse, then brought another title three years later.
The reason that the team is looking for high caliber front office talent is because of the win now mode they find themselves in. Thanks in part to extensions for Xander Bogaerts and Chris Sale respectfully, as well as the young core of players. So tearing down the core just to rebuild the farm for future years doesn’t make sense. Although Epstein is under contract until 2021, the two teams could negotiate to send his services to Boston.
He brings a different mindset to the game. He signed David Ortiz in 2003, he signed Jon Lester in 2013. He worked his magic in a lopsided trade for Jake Arrietta. He has always had a keen eye for acquiring raw talented guys.
With all of this in mind, how can he keep the Boston Red Sox relevant? By coming along with great coaches, helping Alex Cora do his thing, and by always staying active no matter how talented the team already is, without depleting the farm system a la Dombrowski. With a middle of the pack farm system, the team can be loaded, while always having hungry guys on deck.
While Epstein’s cubs have also missed playoff contention for the first time in five seasons, he commented about these rumors on Wednesday afternoon. “There’s nothing to that story,I’m here. We have a lot we need to work on to get back to the level we’re accustomed to. I’m invested in that. That’s what I’m focused on.” as he addressed the media. Could this be a ploy to get the media attention to lay down? Or is there truly no hope for a reunion that made the early 2000s happen? Well find out soon enough.
