Red Sox Enemy Is Their Friend?

To know thyself is to know thy enemy. You must understand how he walks, talks, and breathes if you wish to defeat him. The latest word from the neighbors to the north, the Toronto Blue Jays are looking for a new boss. This issue with the Boston Red Soxʼ division rival may have some significant fallout for all of the Major League teams during the Winter Meetings. This is the Morninʼ Chowda.

ESPNʼs Buster Olney reported yesterday that the Blue Jays are looking for a new CEO and president to replace current brass-head Paul Beeston. “Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports later added that Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette wants to persue the job but that Oʼs owner Peter Angelos was opposed to the move” (Shi Davidi, Rogers Sportsnet). Other teams have also expressed their affirmation that they do not wish their own general managers to discuss the position with the Blue Jays.

This news comes a month after the Toronto media reported that Beeston would be staying with the club, after his contract expired, to keep stability during the Winter Meetings before 2015 approaches. Despite any confirmation from the Blue Jays, Olneyʼs report alludes to Blue Jaysʼ ownership “was not pleased some of Beestonʼs actions during the search for a replacement for commissioner Bud Selig.” Beeston supported Tim Brosnan, the MLBʼs executive vice-president for the job, which eventually went to Rob Manfred.

Beeston, a native of Welland, Ontario, is one of the most respected men in baseball, after joining with Hall-of-Famer Pat Gillick to make the Blue Jays World Series champions in 1992 and 1993. The job was to take the image of Toronto being a cute franchise that would never win and make them successful contenders, instead of pretenders. This respect is why current Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos still has his job. Many rumors have spread the last few seasons that Anthopoulos would only be in power in Toronto if Beeston was around to protect him, especially after spending a boat-load of money on free agents two years ago to win another championship, only to not make the playoffs.

With the Winter Meetings starting yesterday and finishing this Thursday, in San Diego, many of the moves that could have happened will be influenced by these recent reports. The job in Toronto is a coveted one, with Rogers ownership proving that they are willing to spend money. If Anthopoulos does not have the support of anyone named Beestonʼs successor, either during the meetings or afterwards, another general manager may be the one making the trade offers or free agent signings. The entire Blue Jays roster could be in flux if someone else takes the reigns.

Does that mean we will see Jose Bautista move to Boston to play for the Red Sox with his good friend, David Ortiz? Highly unlikely. Not that it would be bad to have Big Papiʼs fellow Dominican-native, but he would be in a stable of talented outfielders. Yet, by putting things in Toronto in doubt, it puts all of the other teams in limbo with any potential trades they would have made with the Blue Jays. That doubt ultimately leads to teams holding back a bit on their own agendas. It also means that potential free agents, who may or may not have had successful dealings with Anthopoulos, will think twice about signing with Torontoʼs franchise. These issues could slow down any thoughts the Red Sox have of adding some arms to their depleted pitching staff.

The Red Sox may also want to examine Torontoʼs purgatory a bit more closely, as recent dealings with their indecisiveness have benefitted Boston. John Farrell, for example. After suffering through the Bobby Valentine era, the Red Sox scooped up Farrell, after he expressed interest in righting the ship and leaving Toronto. Blue Jaysʼ brass were upset with Farrellʼs words and rid themselves of who they thought betrayed them, to the delight of the Red Sox pitching staff. Boston brought home their former pitching coach and won the World Series, in the same year that Toronto brought in a number of high-priced players to fall in the division cellar.

What will be the fallout of the Beeston issue? Who will ever really know? What trades would have or not have happened if Beestonʼs potential departure was not reported? However, one thing is for certain: the Red Sox are not done making moves before spring training in 2015. The pitching staff needs additions. Anthopoulos and the Blue Jays were linked to many pitchersʼ names, including a great love for David Robertson of the New York Yankees. This news could either keep dealings from happening or could trigger all of the dominos to fall. As this article goes to press, Canadian baseball reporter Bob Elliot recently reports that Beeston will in fact stay until 2015; however, this breaking news seems little to quell the potential flames out there for the free agent and trade market. It will be interesting to see what Red Sox chief Ben Cherington does with this information.