Boston gives Epstein old position as GM
Theo Epstein’s new job is the same as his old one: general manager of the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox announced Tuesday that Epstein would resume his old duties – nothing more and nothing less than when he left on Halloween.
“While Theo was contemplating returning to the organization in an advisory role,” Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said in a statement, “he and I talked and agreed it was best for the organization if he returned as general manager – a title more appropriate for him because it accurately reflects the role he will play.
“Theo returns as general manager to an organization that is different from the one he left on Oct. 31. The 14-year relationship between Theo and me, and the passage of time over the last three months have helped to put behind us the friction that developed during last year’s negotiations.”
Once the youngest general manager in baseball history and still the only one to win a World Series in Boston, Epstein walked away from his dream job on Halloween after a never-explained internal squabble convinced him he could no longer put his whole heart into the job.
But even after leaving – fleeing Fenway in a gorilla suit to avoid the encamped media – Epstein remained in touch with his former colleagues.
After a halfhearted search to replace him, the Red Sox announced on Dec. 12 that Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, two of Epstein’s former lieutenants, would serve as co-GMs. Last week, the team said Epstein would return to baseball operations full time, in a capacity to be determined.
Epstein’s return as GM – his other title is being move up a notch from senior vice president to executive vice president – was first reported by the Boston Herald on its Web site. Neither last week’s statement nor the one released Tuesday specified what led to the friction, though Lucchino alluded to an improved relationship between the business and baseball sides of the organization.
“Walls have crumbled, perceptions of one another have changed, and appreciation of one another has grown,” Lucchino said. “As an enhanced sense of ‘team’ has emerged, we have rediscovered that, whatever our differences may have been, baseball is at the center of our operations and our lives, and working toward the success of the Red Sox is a commitment which all of us share.”
Bagwell plans to attend camp
Jeff Bagwell is planning to show up at spring training, despite the Houston Astros’ contention that he’s too hurt to play.
“He believes he’s going to be ready for the start of the season,” Bagwell’s agent, Barry Axelrod, said. “That’s what we’re counting on.”
The 37-year-old Bagwell had surgery on his arthritic right throwing shoulder in June. Doctors who examined the four-time All-Star told the Astros this month that the shoulder still was damaged and that they could not expect Bagwell to be productive this season.
The Astros said Monday they intend to file an insurance claim by a Jan. 31 deadline to recoup $15.6 million of the $17 million they owe Bagwell this season. Team spokesman Jimmy Stanton said the claim had not been filed Tuesday.
For the Astros to collect, the insurance provider would have to deem Bagwell unable to play. Astros general manager Tim Purpura said Monday that Bagwell is “disabled at this time for playing professional baseball.”
Clearing the bases
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons agreed to a $21.1 million, four-year contract. He had asked for $5.3 million in arbitration, and the Orioles had offered $4 million. … Right-hander James Baldwin and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor league contract that would pay him $450,000 if he is added to the major league roster. … The Minnesota Twins and infielder Nick Punto avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $690,000. … New York Yankees pitcher Aaron Small was rewarded with a $1.2 million, one-year contract after he went unbeaten last season.