Chicago Cubs executive Craig Breslow is set to return to the Boston Red Sox as their top baseball operations official, according to sources familiar with the hiring process. Although the final details are still being worked out, Breslow is currently considering the offer. The news was first reported by The Boston Globe.
Breslow, who previously served as an assistant general manager and senior vice president of pitching for the Cubs, played a crucial role in revamping the team’s pitching development. This is an area where the Red Sox have struggled for several years. The 43-year-old former pitcher played for the Red Sox in 2006 and then again from 2012-2015, and he was teammates with Red Sox manager Alex Cora during the 2006 season.
Following the firing of Chaim Bloom on September 14, the Red Sox conducted a thorough search that included interviews with eight candidates both internally and externally. Breslow emerged as the front-runner last week. It remains unclear whether Breslow will have a second-in-command, but assistant general managers Eddie Romero, Raquel Ferreira, and Mike Groopman are still part of the Red Sox leadership group.
Accepting the top job in Boston comes with some uncertainties, as the Red Sox have had a history of short-lived tenures for their heads of baseball operations. None of the previous three executives—Ben Cherington, Dave Dombrowski, or Bloom—lasted four full seasons before being let go. This fact influenced several candidates’ decisions to decline interviews. However, Breslow possesses the qualities that the Red Sox are seeking to address their specific needs, particularly in developing homegrown starting pitching, which has been a challenge for the team over the past decade.
Breslow is an excellent fit for the role, despite lacking experience as the head of a baseball operations department. In his time with the Cubs, he was heavily involved in various aspects of the organization, including the farm system, draft room, manager’s office, and trade deadline discussions. Additionally, his advanced methods and expertise in pitching development have garnered respect within the industry. Breslow’s strong convictions and cerebral style could bring a fresh perspective to the Red Sox.
Theo Epstein, the architect of World Series-winning teams in both Boston and Chicago, personally recruited Breslow to join the Cubs in 2019. Under Breslow’s leadership, the Cubs went from struggling in pitching development to becoming a highly respected organization in this aspect. The team’s minor league pitchers showcased significant improvements in velocity and “stuff” metrics. Breslow’s success with the Cubs has generated intrigue among baseball insiders and piqued the interest of the Red Sox.
As Breslow contemplates the offer, he will have to navigate the challenges that come with the role, including maximizing talent and teaching prospects to excel in a competitive environment like Fenway Park. However, given his track record and experience, it is evident that the Cubs have made significant progress under his leadership.
The Red Sox are hopeful that Breslow can bring this same level of success to Boston and guide the team back to its position of prominence in the American League East. With Breslow’s understanding of the organization and the daily demands of being a big leaguer, the Red Sox are optimistic about the future of their pitching development and the overall success of the team.