Title: Former Cubs Executive Craig Breslow in Advanced Talks to Join Red Sox Front Office
Subtitle: Breslow’s Potential Move Comes with Several Complicating Factors
(Date)
In what could be a significant loss for the Chicago Cubs, Craig Breslow, a rising executive with a Yale degree and a World Series pedigree, has been involved in advanced discussions with the Boston Red Sox for their No. 1 job in baseball operations, sources familiar with the search process revealed.
The Chicago Cubs were well aware that Breslow, with his exceptional qualifications, would be a highly sought-after candidate by other major-league teams. However, Breslow is known for being selective about his next opportunity, making the decision process crucial for both parties involved.
While the Red Sox are considering Breslow for their top position, external candidates faced complications with the organization in the past. The Red Sox forced out Ben Cherington just two years after their 2013 World Series triumph, and Dave Dombrowski was fired less than a year after winning the 2018 World Series. Chaim Bloom was subsequently hired to rebuild the farm system and manage the major-league payroll but was let go last month.
One of the factors that add complexity to the decision is the Red Sox’s recent decision to retain Alex Cora as their manager for the upcoming season. Additionally, the team already has several veteran employees in high-level positions within their baseball operations department. It is worth noting that two current general managers with similar backgrounds to Breslow’s, Sam Fuld (Philadelphia Phillies) and Brandon Gomes (Los Angeles Dodgers), declined to interview for the job.
Craig Breslow, who retired from the big leagues after the 2017 season, grew up in Connecticut and currently resides in suburban Boston with his family. Following discussions with a select group of teams that included the Cubs, Red Sox, and New York Yankees, Breslow was personally recruited by Theo Epstein to join the Cubs’ front office. Breslow joined the Cubs in 2019, a time when the organization was undergoing significant changes in scouting and player development.
During his tenure with the Cubs, Breslow made a significant impact in the pitching department, earning promotions that eventually led to him becoming an assistant general manager and the senior vice president of pitching. He played a crucial role in rebuilding the organization’s pitching development infrastructure, evaluating free agents, and managing day-to-day operations.
Breslow’s strong relationships with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross, both of whom he previously played with on the Red Sox team that won the 2013 World Series, further solidify his ties with the Cubs organization. Moreover, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts empowers his baseball executives to make resource allocations and structure the department according to their vision.
Under Breslow’s leadership, the Cubs have seen significant progress in their pitching department. Homegrown talents such as Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Adbert Alzolay, and Javier Assad have emerged and played crucial roles in the team’s success. Furthermore, recent first-round picks Jordan Wicks and Cade Horton have showcased their potential, elevating the Cubs’ farm system and setting the stage for a promising future.
Breslow’s potential move to the Red Sox would mirror the trajectory of Chris Young, who was entrusted with the role of general manager for the Texas Rangers after a successful playing career and subsequently became their No. 1 baseball executive. Young played a pivotal role in leading the Rangers’ turnaround, transforming them into World Series contenders.
For the Cubs organization, Breslow’s potential move to another iconic franchise like the Red Sox reflects positively on their ability to develop talented executives or create an environment that attracts and retains valued employees.
As discussions between Breslow and the Red Sox continue, the Cubs are well-positioned to make a substantial offer to encourage him to stay in a role that already holds significant clout within the organization.
(Photo: Craig Breslow at the 2023 Red Sox Winter Weekend – Billie Weiss / Boston Red Sox / Getty Images)