Coup d'état in Red Sox Nation

[kenberman]

SIA for starting another Red Sox thread, but I think this subject deserves it's own thread. It's been rumored almost since he left that Theo would be returning as GM/some other important role. Now, it appears that Lucchino may take a hit when Theo returns.

Today's Lawrence Eagle-Tribune has this interesting story from Rob Bradford, the guy who wrote the book 'Chasing Steinbrenner'. Rob's really tight with Theo and his brother so it's safe to assume this is good information...he had an exclusive interview with John Henry last Monday.

Sox owner Henry clears way for Epstein's return

By Rob Bradford
Staff Writer


Theo Epstein's vacation is coming to a conclusion. Larry Lucchino's reduced responsibilities, on the other hand, might be just beginning.

Sources indicate that Epstein's return to the Boston Red Sox is imminent, with an announcement coming as soon as this week. The former Boston general manager, who chose not to renew is his contract when it expired Oct. 31, would assume the role as a senior adviser to the front office.

Epstein will reportedly work with the team's new co-GMs, Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, both of whom are also expected to be introduced early this week.

Epstein's new title may not be permanent, however, with some indications pointing to his return to the organization's general manager position as early as spring training. The switch will largely depend on redefining the duties of president/CEO Larry Lucchino, whose role in the organization continues to be revamped in order to pave the way for Epstein's re-emergence.

The news is the culmination of behind-the-scenes work done by Boston's primary owner, John Henry, since attending an emotional press conference two days after Epstein's departure.

In the days following the press conference, which featured both Epstein and Henry but not Lucchino, the owner continued to urge the man he had made the youngest GM in baseball history to return. Yet, with friction lingering between Epstein and Lucchino, there appeared to be no resolution in sight.

According to sources, Lucchino's subsequent search for a general manager centered on external candidates, with no intention of considering one of the already existing front-office members.

One report had Lucchino ready to hire former Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles GM Jim Beattie before Henry stepped in. Atlanta Braves assistant GM Dayton Moore was also considered a strong possibility to fill the position before withdrawing himself from consideration.

Meanwhile, Henry reportedly continued to wrestle with his allegiance to Lucchino and his affection for Epstein. At one point, outside consultation was brought in to analyze Lucchino's role within the organization.

According to a source, Henry began making inroads to appeasing Epstein's desire for more autonomy upon the former GM's return from Argentina, where he was visiting with the band Pearl Jam last month. The sticking point remained the role of Lucchino, whose contract not only runs through the 2011 season, but contains a litany of bonuses and a percentage on the team's profits upon an early departure.

The animosity between Epstein and Lucchino spilled out into a public forum just two weeks ago when the team's CEO repeatedly denigrated the former GM in an off-air rant to a Boston radio personality. The tirade included Lucchino repeatedly inferring that "the truth" regarding "that kid" would be coming out soon in a book about the Red Sox's ownership group. (The book is being written by former Newsweek contributor Seth Mnookin, who was given virtually unlimited access to the organization's hierarchy, including a Fenway Park office.)

As the baseball winter meetings unfolded, Henry and Epstein came closer to a resolution, which included a plan to install Cherington and Hoyer higher on the front-office ladder. Indications suggest that Epstein was even in constant communication with the Boston contingent at the baseball winter meetings last week.

Although there were reportedly some mid-week concerns by the Epstein camp that the redefining of Lucchino's role wasn't going to be enough to change the front-office dynamic, Henry did relented to Epstein's wishes as the weekend approached.

Sources suggest the power struggle between Epstein and Lucchino has continued even after their split on Halloween. Insiders suggest that Epstein sided with a group of Red Sox executives who were leaning against the Josh Beckett trade. Such a camp was confirmed by Henry in the owner's interview with The Eagle-Tribune last Monday.

Overpaying for center fielder Johnny Damon is also reportedly a concern of Epstein and his supporters, who seem to be targeting trades for Seattle center fielder Jeremy Reed and Cleveland's Coco Crisp as a backup plan. Lucchino, meanwhile, has been spearheading the Damon negotiations.

[pokerdirty]

why do you guys keep pussyfooting around with him? just give him the money and the title, i think he's earned it.

[kenberman]

[ QUOTE ]
why do you guys keep pussyfooting around with him? just give him the money and the title, i think he's earned it.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, Larry Luchinno doesn't agree with your apparently, and he runs (or ran) day to day ops.

I think Theo is more valuable to the organization than Lucchino.

[Soul Daddy]

An announcement detailing the "restructuring" of Sox management is expected this week. Other than that I have no idea what to believe at this point, as the spin coming from all sides is bewildering.

[TheRover]

[ QUOTE ]
According to a source, Henry began making inroads to appeasing Epstein's desire for more autonomy upon the former GM's return from Argentina, where he was visiting with the band Pearl Jam last month.

[/ QUOTE ]


hahahahh

[kenberman]

Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington officialy named CO-GM's, for 2006

I'm glad the Sox stayed in-house; continuity is a good thing.

still TBD is where Theo falls...

Listening to the press conference, though, I can't help but feel a bit bad for the new guys. Every other question is about Theo, and if he is coming back, and in what capacity, etc.

[youtalkfunny]

[ QUOTE ]
Today's Lawrence Eagle-Tribune has this interesting story...

[/ QUOTE ]

I keep wanting to scoff when this paper breaks a story, but they've picked up so many awards (they got a Pulitzer when they broke the Willie Horton/Dukakis story in '88, and the sports editor has been mentioned for the NHL HOF since he exposed then-NHL VP Alan Eagleson as a crook who swindled Bobby Orr when he was Orr's agent), you've got to pay attention when they speak.