Upon the re-signing of infielder Rafael Devers on Jan. 11, then Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom predicted success for the team’s season.
“We’re going to do this. It’s going to be awesome,” he said. “We are going to get there.”
Now, Bloom is without a job, and the Red Sox are predicted to finish in the bottom of the American League East.
Bloom, fired by the Red Sox on Sept. 14, was marred by a rocky tenure since taking on the position in 2019. Since his hiring, the team has gone 267-262, according to the Boston Globe.
Red Sox General Manager Brian O’Halloran will take on a “new senior leadership position within baseball operations” and his team will temporarily take charge of baseball operations, according to the Boston Globe.
While some fans hoped this opening might land former Red Sox General Manager and MLB consultant Theo Epstein back in Boston, the Boston Globe reported he is not interested in the position. Sports Illustrated reported on Sept. 24 that Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Sam Fuld is currently favored to take over for Bloom.
Red Sox ownership announced the decision as the Red Sox were 73-72, putting them behind the New York Yankees in last place of the AL East.
“We all know where we are in the standings. It’s a painful reality that fans feel as deeply as we do,” said Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy at a press conference. “Our fans deserve a winning, competitive team that consistently plays postseason baseball.”
Kennedy expressed disappointment with the results of this season.
“We expected a team that would be in this thing, a postseason contender, and unfortunately we all know we fell short of that,” Kennedy said. “We are in the results business. Results, ultimately, always matter.”
To many Red Sox fans, Bloom’s legacy was defined by the constant exodus of stars from the team’s roster. Moves like the Mookie Betts and David Price trade in 2019 left a mark on Red Sox Nation that likely will not be erased in the near future.
To others, Bloom’s accomplishments outweigh the criticism. Senior Nick Woods disagrees with the team’s decision to part ways with Bloom, citing improvements to the Red Sox’s farm system and payroll.
“When Bloom was hired, the Red Sox just missed the playoffs, had the highest payroll in baseball and a gutted farm system. He was hired to rebuild the organization and create a foundation to be perennial World Series contenders. In his four years here, I believe he accomplished that,” Woods said.
With the new opening in the front office, many are hoping for a candidate to rebuild the team.
“Hopefully the next hire is someone who is tasked with taking this team to the same level of major league competition clubs like Atlanta are at, and we can all enjoy another playoff run and championship,” said senior Sean Moriarty.
Woods is excited for the team’s future success, but credits much of this to the franchise built by Bloom.
“Whoever is hired next only has to put the finishing touches to win a championship. There is a talented young core on the big league roster, a loaded farm system, a lack of long-term bloated contracts on the payroll and reset luxury tax penalties,” said Woods.
