The Red Sox look like they won’t be making the playoffs this season. With a bad farm system and bullpen, Theo Epstein is the right guy for the job.
The Boston Red Sox have had an underachieving season this year and it looks like they won’t be making the playoffs. Between injuries and a weak bullpen, they never got it together. Dave Dombrowski being fired last week after the Yankees game was a clear sign that ownership wanted to go in a different direction.
There are so many rumors as to what the Red Sox will do when the season is over. Will they trade Mookie Betts, and J.D. Martinez? Who will now lead the Sox to World Series contention 2020? There really is one name that comes to mind and that is Theo Epstein
What he built with the Red Sox was a winning atmosphere. Epstein was named General Manager at the end of the 2002 season and was the one who got key players for the 2004 World Series Championship team. Curt Schilling was a huge pickup and so was Orlando Cabrera, who he picked up at the trade deadline in exchange for Nomar Garciaparra.
Epstein built a winning team in 2007 when the Sox won the World Series again. He also drafted well. In 2011, he drafted Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. Both were on the World Series team last season. They worked their way up through the farm system and became champions.
Epstein really made out well with drafting Betts. If he were to come back, he might find a way to keep him instead of trading him. He’s seen what Betts has done in a Sox uniform since being called up to the big leagues. If anyone would keep Betts long term, it would be Epstein.
He would completely rebuild the farm system to be competitors for not only now but the future too. Working with Alex Cora and ownership, they would be a great team in building a winning one on the field. What happened when Epstein left in 2011 is in the past. The Sox are a mess with their depleted farm system and need someone that knows how to rebuild and maintain a better one for many years to come.
It also doesn’t seem Epstein is happy with the Cubs and the way they are playing lately. He seems completely frustrated that the Cubs aren’t getting the job done. With Theo’s contract ending at the end of the 2021 season would the Sox be willing to get Epstein now?
"“We have our challenges, but every team has their challenges. Honestly, we’ve been essentially a .500 team for months now. I don’t think there’s any excuse for how we’re playing.” Epstein told Mullay and Hugh morning show from 670 The Score."
Also, Tony Mssaroitti had an interesting Tweet this past week that the Sox should give Epstein a piece of ownership with a 10-year contract. If he was to get a piece of ownership with it, I do see him coming back to the Sox. There’s potential to grow within the organization and make the Sox dominant for years to come.
Did the math this am. One percent of ownership would be worth about a little more than $30M. If I'm the Sox, I'd go as high as 1.5%. https://t.co/xmgCr7gMoc
— Tony Massarotti (@TonyMassarotti) September 12, 2019
The Red Sox have the potential to be something great. Epstein would construct a well enough bullpen, farm system, and players that will help win games for a long time. He’s proven that he’s well suited to run a baseball organization he ended to two longest World Series droughts in baseball history with the Sox and the Cubs. Now it’s time to come back where he belongs – with the Red Sox.