Everybody Hates Larry... Epstein Steps Down as General Manager
You would expect an aging mercenary like David Wells to want to move on, and, to be quite honest, it’s hard to warm up to a guy who wears advertisements for Poker websites on his hat and shirt during news conferences. He’s made his money, and wants to finish out his career in a warmer climate, closer to his San Diego home.
You would also expect that Manny Ramirez, a man whose love/hate relationship with Boston is the stuff of legend, to want out of the city, too. His trade demands are an annual event, but, this time around, it looks like he will finally get his wish. He’s made his money, and wants to finish out his career in virtual anonymity somewhere where his fragile mental state won’t be front page news.
But who would have expected that Theo Epstein, the local boy who’s rooted for the Sox since he can remember, worked tirelessly to finally bring this city a World Series championship, and cemented his status as a New England sports legend would suddenly up and quit his “dream” job merely hours after most of the local media outlets had reported that he’d accepted a new deal worth $1.5 million a year?
After protracted negotiations in which the Red Sox repeatedly low-balled Epstein before finally offering him the salary he’d demanded, a salary five times that which the thirty-one year old GM made in the final year of his contract, reports of Epstein’s signing were an early Halloween treat for Red Sox nation. However, by dinnertime, the Trick was on us, as Epstein metaphorically cleared out his desk, issued a statement in which he told reporters that his heart simply was not in it anymore, and left the future of the franchise in the hands of the man everyone holds responsible for this loss.
Larry Lucchino is, by all accounts, an intelligent, creative and resourceful man. A brilliant business mind with an eye for talent and a gift for finding revenue in the least likely places; one need only look at the dramatic changes made to Fenway and its surrounding neighborhood for evidence of this.
Larry Lucchino is the also the man most everyone blames for Epstein’s hasty departure.
Let us not forget that this is the man who brought us Theo in the first place, mentoring the young law student through his tenure in San Diego, and lobbying for his appointment as the team’s general manager. Suffice it to say, without Larry there would be no Theo, and, without Theo, there would be no championship.
However, even as Theo proved his worth and capability, it is suggested that Lucchino tightened his reins even more over the boy wonder, denying Epstein the autonomy afforded most of his peers, and turning the New England native’s dream job into a nightmare. Lucchino is a hands-on executive who, according to those close to the organization, was regularly at odds with Epstein, blocking trades, demanding others, all the while putting the club’s financial bottom line ahead of fielding a winning team.
Theo Epstein states that he may take a year off to explore other avenues, with many assuming he may follow his twin brother Paul into social work, but I don’t see that happening. Epstein is a brilliant baseball man whose best years are ahead of him, and, with vacancies in Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, San Diego, and, perhaps, Washington (if the team is ever sold), one would think that a proven GM like Theo would certainly pique a lot of interest.
So what happens now? As the winter meetings are just around the corner, it appears that Epstein’s junior staff, undoubtedly guided by the hand of Lucchino, will represent the Red Sox this year. Meanwhile, the search for a GM to replace him has already begun in earnest, with names like Paul DePodesta, Brian Sabean, and Gerry Hunsicker being bandied about.
Whoever takes over will be inheriting quite the workload, with several issues already on the table, not the least of which will be the situations of Ramirez and Wells, as well as whether or not to bring back fan favorite Johnny Damon.
Then again, I’m sure that whoever lands the job can depend on more than a little help from Larry Lucchino.
Hot Stove Notes:
Free Birds: Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, Johnny Damon, and several other players have filed for free agency following the World Series. While it is doubtful that Millar or Mueller will return, “Jesus” is anxious to begin talks in hopes of a second coming.
Timlin Resigns: Unlike Theo, Mike Timlin has actually re-signed to a one year deal in the neighborhood of $3 million dollars. Timlin, who recently fired his agent, represented himself in negotiations.
You would expect an aging mercenary like David Wells to want to move on, and, to be quite honest, it’s hard to warm up to a guy who wears advertisements for Poker websites on his hat and shirt during news conferences. He’s made his money, and wants to finish out his career in a warmer climate, closer to his San Diego home.
