Chaim Bloom finally responds to claims he doesn’t understand Boston Red Sox needs
Does Chaim Bloom know what the Boston Red Sox need?
Chaim Bloom is trying to set the record straight.
The embattled Chief Baseball Office of the Boston Red Sox wants us to know that he gets it. Boston is different, and he understands what this team needs.
We’ll see.
When Rob Bradford of WEEI asked Bloom about Xander Bogaerts this week, Bloom praised the fan-favorite shortstop, but also seized the opportunity to address the criticism that he doesn’t understand the difference between Boston and other markets:
"“[Bogaerts] is the type of guy you want to have here for a long time. That you want to have here hopefully for his whole career. You need that to be a good player and a core player as long as we expect that he will be. And if you don’t have that it is usually not going to happen. It doesn’t mean you aren’t going to play for a long time, but you’re not going to be that type of player as you get into your 30s. It is probably more important in Boston just because of how intense this experience this … I think I knew that going in. It’s different to live it, for sure and just see what it entails, both through your own eyes and my own experiences, but also seeing what players go through. But I knew it. I have been in this division a long time and as an opponent, I have seen a lot of players come in here and some have done better than others and you start to see some of the reasons why. If this is the type of experience that you like and you want, there is nothing better. But it’s not for everybody and there is always risk with someone who is not used to it. Trust me, as an opponent, oftentimes we were happy about it seeing how new players did not adjust.”"
It’s not the first time Bloom and other Sox execs and owners have said that they hope Bogaerts will be in Boston for his entire career. The question is, do they mean it enough to make it happen?
There’s a surprising amount of candor in Bloom’s comments. It’s hilarious that the cheapskate Rays reveled in the ‘first-world problem’ struggles of their richer division rival, a team chronically overpaying for underperforming players. Even more so since the shoe is now on the other foot for Bloom.
But if Bloom knows all this, what’s he going to do about it. He’s been on both sides now. He has as much information as he should need to do what should be done. Pay Bogaerts, pay Rafael Devers, pay real pitchers, and keep growing the farm system. There’s more than enough money to build a strong team for next year and beyond. The question is, is that what ownership wants, and is that what Bloom is trying to convince them to do?
As someone who’s often questioned whether Bloom gets it, I really hope he does. Most people voicing this complaint would love to have him prove the doubters wrong if that means he does right by the team and fans. The criticism comes from a place of caring, after all.
Talking candidly might be a small step in the right direction.
Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words.
