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Baseball Notes
Spotlight may very well fall on Lucchino
By Nick Cafardo
October 9, 2011
Until Theo Epstein is officially announced as the new president/general manager of the Chicago Cubs , we can’t be sure the Red Sox have to hunt for new management.
But if he is taking the Cubs job, then the spotlight again will be directed at Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino, whose job would be to put the team back among the elite following two third-place finishes, which is unacceptable for a big-market franchise with a $160 million plus payroll.
Lucchino’s baseball-decision powers have been reduced for a few years, but if Epstein departed, one would think they’d be restored.
Even if Lucchino and ownership hired Ben Cherington as general manager, it would take time before Cherington could make the same demands Epstein did and have complete control over the operations.
Lucchino, in this correspondent’s opinion, served a vital role as devil’s advocate. He was the skeptical, pain-in-the-butt character in deciding whether big-ticket items served the best interests of the franchise. That’s what a good CEO does.
But after Epstein returned from his hiatus in 2005, Lucchino was essentially stripped of that role, still signing off on things, but without the fine-tooth comb. He was told to keep his nose out of the baseball operations department, and from what we understand, he did.
If Epstein is gone, the current problems fall back on Lucchino, who would have a chance to bring back those important checks and balances.
For an organization to be right, it has to start at the top. The top is Lucchino. More than ever.
What he needs to do is establish a balance between the new-wave statistical analysis system that this team depends on so much and traditional baseball values. Epstein undoubtedly felt he had that balance, but the reality is maybe he didn’t.
Right now, there seem to be few traditional baseball people around him. The Sox seem slanted toward new-wave, unlike the Phillies, who tilt more on the side of traditional baseball ways.
Lucchino is more of a traditional baseball man himself, and if he assumed control, he would have to shift the organization more that way.
Lucchino would need to revamp the scouting department, which hasn’t done a very good job with pitchers in particular. He’d have to get the Sox back to being the development machine that Epstein so aspired to and had for a while.
The “accountability’’ issue really has to start with ownership and Lucchino, who is a very skilled manager of people.
Cherington would be the right choice for GM because he has been in the Sox system for many years, even before Epstein showed up. He has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and has matured into an expert in all baseball departments.
You always want to see a person who has paid his dues - and Cherington has - get the job he’s been aspiring to.
Lucchino has worn many hats in his many years in the game and has accomplished so much, including the building of Camden Yards in Baltimore and Petco Park in San Diego.
He helped turn the Sox into a money-making machine and has been a loyal soldier to his owners, John Henry and Tom Werner. He has protected them, as any excellent leader of an organization should do.
Which is why having Lucchino more involved in baseball is a good thing. He understands his limitations in that area, which is why he employs a GM to handle player acquisition.
“He challenges you,’’ said one of his former employees. “He makes you give him a very thorough explanation as to why something is being done. You’d better have a good reason to be doing something, especially something big because he’ll play devil’s advocate on every little thing.’’
Is that what has been missing the past couple of years - that very basic but important element in player acquisition moves?
If it was, it could return if Epstein leaves and the front office is realigned.
Lucchino would be wise in bringing in baseball people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. Experience and wisdom are good things. The Ivy League GMs don’t have all of the answers. A good blending of both age groups makes for a more thorough thinking process.
Lucchino, who is a possible candidate to be commissioner when Bud Selig retires, is smart enough to know who those people are. No need for us to mention them.
He has had terrific people around him for many years .
The Red Sox need to evaluate free agents better. Even Epstein acknowledged that.
They need to be able to measure heart and desire, and project how players will fit in Boston, and not just from a statistical point of view. This is not to say the “traditional’’ guys won’t make their share of mistakes. They have and they will, but the human element has to be a greater part of what’s going on.
As one former Red Sox player said recently, “They need to get back to fundamentals in every area of their organization. On the field, you’ve got to take more infield practice. Outfielders have to work on their throwing and situations. Pitchers have to work on their defensive drills.’’
So there has to be that voice, that one person who says it, and everyone else has to follow suit: “This is the way we’re going to do things. We can incorporate all of the great new ideas into it, but at the core, we’re going to be a baseball team.’’
That will be Lucchino’s challenge, and possibly his legacy.
So Epstein is the savior? Not.
Go get Freidman FanBoy!
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Cmon people....this is a good thing that the Cubs can actually get Theo.