**Official Boston Red Sox Thread - Commence Rebuild**

Cherington introduced today.

Also the Jays amend their policy on letting employees leave by saying they won't grant permission for lateral moves.

Makes sense and probably rules out the possibility of Farrell leaving for either Boston or Chicago.

I don't think anyone has any clue who we are considering.

I have heard about 20 different names mentioned.

No I agree there, Farrell would have been a pretty good guy to have and the importance of a manager in Boston is handling the media.

Which is keeping stuff like beer drinking and any other controversial stuff under wraps and don't allow it to leave the clubhouse.

Will be interesting to see who they hire because before the Theo stuff it seemed the candidates were former players which is to attempt to relate to the clubhouse.

Well done piece by Epstein today for those that didn't see it:

Cherington press conference notes from NESN:

4 p.m.: To get every little detail of the introductory press conference, scroll through this story for a blow-by-blow of Larry Lucchino's and Ben Cherington's comments.

For simplicity's sake, here's a quick look at the major takeaways from the meeting with the media.

• John Lackey will undergo Tommy John surgery. That means you shouldn't expect to see him pitch at all in 2012.
• The Red Sox have had some early discussions with free agents Jonathan Papelbon and David Ortiz. Cherington said the team would like to have them back, but there are obviously circumstances that make that more complicated.
• The priority this winter will be adding pitching depth and finding a high-value arm, much like they did with Alfredo Aceves last year.
• It looks as though Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick will compete for the right field job.
• John Henry and Tom Werner were unable to attend. Lucchino stressed that not much should be read into their absences.
• Cherington was asked what he and Epstein had in common and what made them difference, and he joked that he can't play guitar and he doesn't own a gorilla suit.
• The Red Sox plan to move "swiftly," "diligently" and methodically in their search for a new manager.
• Cherington was a big proponent of the Red Sox' signing Adrian Beltre for 2010 and Carl Crawford for 2011.
• Lucchino introduced Cherington as the man who will the Red Sox to their next World Series championship.
• Cherington insisted that the farm system is as strong and deep as ever, with most of the talent at the Double-A level.
• Cherington's best comment was this: "We've let our fans down in some important ways recently. The last few weeks have been painful. But what I'm left with is incredible conviction that the Red Sox will be the best organization in baseball moving forward. I'm convinced of that."

3:49 p.m.: That's it, the news conference is over, as Cherington and Lucchino are met with applause again. That likely came from coworkers, as the media isn't known for its collective clapping, generally.

3:47 p.m.: And now back to Crawford.

"I'm betting on Carl Crawford going forward," Cherington said.

3:46 p.m.: Back to Lackey for a bit.

"Let me start by saying that John Lackey pitched through circumstances this year that I don't think any of us in this room can fully understand, and he got beat up for it along the way," Cherington said. "This guy was dealing with some stuff both on the field and off the field."

Cherington said that Lackey saw Dr. Lewis Yocum and the decision was made for Tommy John surgery.

3:45 p.m.: Cherington says he still expects big things from Carl Crawford, citing his accountability and work ethic.

"I was one of the strongest proponents of signing Carl ... because I believe in him. I believe in him the same now as I did then," Cherington said.

3:42 p.m.: The biggest news of this meeting is that John Lackey has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery. Don't expect to see Lackey pitch at all in 2012, as the recover period is often anywhere from nine months to a year, and sometimes longer.

3:39 p.m.: Cherington said that Josh Reddick and Ryan Kalish will have a chance to compete for the right field spot, and that the team has a decision to make on Marco Scutaro's contract option. Besides that and David Ortiz's uncertain status, he feels confident in the offense. He says the key this offseason will be pitching.

"We've got the core of a really, really good team," he said. "We have a very strong top of the rotation: Lester, Beckett and a healthy Buchholz. We're confident that we'll have a healthy Buccholz.
We need to build some pitching depth. We have talent in the bullpen. Obviously, not knowing the outcome of Papelbon's decision, we potentially have an opening at closer. We have a couple of players in house who we feel are capable of filling that role if needed. But we need to add some pitching depth. Most likely, we'll do that through some good, creative, perhaps buy-low acquisitions.

"I think we need to hit on some pitchers this offseason, much the way we did with Alfredo Aceves last season."

3:36 p.m.: Cherington said he's talked with Epstein for a couple of years about a possible succession plan.

"I never assumed this job was going to be mine, but I hoped it would," he said.

3:36 p.m: Cherington: "I feel like I've been preparing for this job since my first job in baseball."

3:32 p.m.: Cherington stopped short of using the term "dream job," but he's clearly very happy.

"I'm really excited about this job," he said. "I've thought a lot about this job in recent years as I hoped I was getting closer to this opportunity and thought about all the challenges that come with it."

3:31 p.m.: On Jonathan Papelbon and David Ortiz, Cherington said the team obviously knows those free agents "really, really well."

"We'd like to have both of them back. We'll have to see if there's a contract that makes sense for them and for us," he said. "We've had some initial dialogue with both."

3:29 p.m.: Lucchino said that Tom Werner's and John Henry's schedule didn't allow them to be present for Cherington's introductory news conference.

"I wouldn't read anything into that," Lucchino said, regarding their absences.

3:27 p.m.: Cherington said the Red Sox will need to have the best analytics department and the best baseball evaluators and haven them work together.

"That's easier said than done," Cherington said.

3:26 p.m.: Another joke from Cherington: "The only mistake we had with this press conference is not having a seat for Carmine."

3:25 p.m.: Lucchino was asked for specific moments that let him know Cherington was the right man for the job, and he pointed out that Cherington "asserted" that Beltre would be a good fit for the team in 2010.

3:22 p.m.: Cherington was asked if the team will consider banning alcohol in the clubhouse. He said no decisions will be made without a manager.

"Any changes that we feel are necessary in the clubhouse, we'll make as a group," he said. "Again, I think it's important to remember that first of all we have a ton of talent on this team. We have a bunch of players that are really motivated by what happened at the end of the season. And if there are things that happened in the clubhouse this season that we feel needs to be addressed, we'll talk about that with the players."

3:20 p.m.: Cherington was asked about the benefit of being very familiar with many of the Red Sox' core players.

"It does help to sort of break through the small talk and get to a real, honest conversation," he said.

3:19 p.m.: Cherington said that the farm system is "stronger and deeper than ever," mostly at the Double-A level.

3:18 p.m.: As to real differences between Epstein and Cherington, he said the following.

"I'm a different person. My management style is different," he said. "And I'm new at this job. Theo was eight or nine years into it ... so that's a difference. I'm gonna treat the job a little bit differently because I'm at a different point in my tenure.

"Our backgrounds are a little different ... my path was more of a scouting and player development path. His path was more of a front office, baseball ops path. I think that we're both able to wear different hats, and I know Theo was able to do that really well."

3:16 p.m.: Cherington was asked what he has in common with Epstein, and he joked that he can't play guitar and he doesn't own a gorilla suit.

3:15 p.m.: The Red Sox' free-agent misses are no mystery, and Cherington didn't shy away from them.

"Not good enough, certainly," he said when asked how he'd analyze the team's decisions. "Let me say first that there are players on this team now that we signed as free agents that we still really believe in and that I was a strong proponent of signing. I think we have to look at that area and look critically at perhaps why we haven't performed as well in that area."

3:12 p.m.: Cherington says he wants a manager who respects players but isn't afraid of having tough conversations. In terms of a timeline, he says they will "move swiftly but diligently, and we'll be mehtodical in our search."

3:11 p.m.: Cherington says the clubhouse needs some change.

"I think that we have work to do this offseason to restore the culture that we expect in the clubhouse, to restore a level of accountability," he said. "I don't believe there's a silver bullet for that."

3:10 p.m.: Cherington said the players in the clubhouse are committed to putting 2011 behind them.

Cherington's final statement is met with applause, which you don't always necessarily see at a news conference.

3:07 p.m.: Cherington said the September collapse and the difficult month that followed has, interestingly, helped restore his faith in the team.

"We've let our fans down in some important ways recently," he said. "The last few weeks have been painful. But what I'm left with is incredible conviction that the Red Sox will be the best organization in baseball moving forward. I'm convinced of that."

3:06 p.m.: Cherington wished Theo great fortune with the Cubs, other than the two teams' meeting in June.

"What [Epstein] left with me were certain values that we'll carry forward as a staff," Cherington said.

3:05 p.m.: Cherington is running through his long life in baseball. It's quite the resume for someone under 40.

3:03 p.m.: Cherington said Cleveland was using some Moneyball tactics back in '98.

"I got a real chance to work in baseball with the Cleveland Indians in 1998 during the height of their success and as part of one of the most progressive front offices in baseball," he said. "Looking back on it, they were practicing a form of Moneyball in a slightly different way."

3:02 p.m.ET: "When I was growing up, it was a very small town, I used to make her drive down and get the Sunday Globe, spend the two dollars on the Sunday Globe, just so I could read the Sunday notes column. "

3:02 p.m.: Ben Cherington said he is "incredibly honored" to be given the opportunity.

3:01 p.m.: No pressure, but Lucchino said Cherington will lead the team to its next World Series championship.

3 p.m.: Lucchino is listing all of the reasons he and the ownership group is happy to appoint Cherington, from his work ethic to his competitiveness.

2:58 p.m.: Larry Lucchino: "I have the proud duty today of announcing a major appointment."

Lucchino points out that Cherington is a lifetime New Englander.

"His longevity with the Red Sox exceeds that of John, Tom and me."

2:57 p.m.: Nice and early, Larry Lucchino and Ben Cherington are at the table. Quotes to follow.

2:55 p.m.: We're about ready to meet Ben Cherington, the Red Sox' newest general manager.

10:15 a.m. ET: After nearly a full month of chaos surrounding the Boston Red Sox, the club is ready to take its first step toward the 2012 season.

That begins in earnest on Tuesday afternoon, as the team will introduce Ben Cherington as its newest general manager. The team's news conference will begin at 3 p.m., and it will air live on NESN and NESN.com. If you're unable to watch, though, we'll provide updates throughout the entire meeting right here in this live blog. Be sure to check back in when the conference begins.

Technically, this won't be Cherington's first introductory news conference as Sox GM, as he and Jed Hoyer were given that role to share back in the tumultuous offseason of 2005-06. Theo Epstein later returned to his job, but this time, he's definitely not coming back.

If you want to read up on the Cherington prior to the news conference, you can read about the incredible pipeline that Amherst has to the bigs, and you can also watch Heidi Watney's interview with Cheringtonfrom May.

Yeah did a Theo like confidence which is good. Glad he used a little PR to help smooth over Crawford after what Henry had said. I do agree internationally and his background is scouting, so it helps there. Have been disappointed with the international free agents in terms of not going after them harder. Easier said then done but certainly had a few successes with Hanley and now hopefully Boegarts continues to progress.

From a depth purpose the $5-9 million arms are helpful but I am weary of being confident on a healthy Buchholz.

Really not sure where Cuddyer fits defensively. He has versatility but he would scare me in right field. He would provide more balance for the offense in terms of being a right handed bat with some power though.

@SI_JonHeymanJon Heyman

cherington said compensation from cubs was agreed to be "significant." means pressure on from above to beat theo

No surprise given that Iglesias hasn't developed with the bat, but Cherington hinted today that he isn't going to let Scutaro get to the open market and instead will pick up his option.

As the Boston Red Sox's manager search begins in earnest, we do not yet have a clear picture of who is on the team's short list to take Terry Francona's place. We are starting to learn, however, which candidates are unlikely to be among the finalists.

Neither Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo, who formerly managed at Triple-A Pawtucket, nor White Sox Triple-A manager Joe McEwing -- two outside-the-box choices popular among media prognostications -- are on general manager Ben Cherington's initial list of people he's interested in interviewing, according to a league source. That doesn't necessarily rule them out, but certainly does not bode well for their chances.

Earlier this week, the Blue Jays essentially crossed another potential Sox candidate off the list -- John Farrell -- when they changed their policy on allowing employees to leave the team for a lateral move. Farrell, who manages the Jays, is a former Red Sox pitching coach who was highly regarded by the front office in his time in Boston (2007-10).

Among those expected to get some consideration from the Red Sox include current bench coach DeMarlo Hale, Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., Philadelphia PhilliesTriple-A manager Ryne Sandberg, Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Dave Martinez and Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin.

Rays manager Joe Maddon, who himself was considered by the Red Sox for a managerial vacancy when the team hired Francona in late 2003, thinks Martinez is ready for a big league job.

"I know that he is ready in the dugout, for sure," Maddon told WEEI.com. "He's got a really good grasp of the game. He utilizes information well. His preparedness is very good. His ability to get what he needs to across to the players is very good, also. For me he's been invaluable because I do trust him with a lot on a daily basis. He takes a lot off my plate. I know he's able to do those things, and do them during the course of a game."

During his introductory press conference Tuesday at Fenway Park, Cherington said big league managerial experience was not a prerequisite in his search.

"The list of guys with big league managing experience on their resume who are clearly available is pretty short," Cherington said. "I don't think we can put ourselves in a box to just limit ourselves to that pool. We need to get the right guy. We're not looking for the next star manager, we're looking for the right fit for the Red Sox in 2012 and beyond."

One sleeper that hasn't generated any buzz but who could get consideration, according to an industry source, is Atlanta Braves first base coach Terry Pendleton. The former big leaguer has been on the Braves coaching staff for 10 seasons and also served as the club's hitting coach (2002-10) under legendary manager Bobby Cox.

Another possible long-shot candidate is former big league manager Ken Macha. After spending five seasons in the Red Sox organization (1994-98) as a minor league skipper, he served as the manager of the "Moneyball" Oakland Athletics for four seasons (2003-06), winning two division titles along the way.

Personally prefer Martinez/Alomar.

Although these guys are mostly terrible here is a read from MLBTR:

Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [October 29 at 5:45pm CST]

Longtime GM Theo Epstein is gone and recently-appointed replacement Ben Cherington will try leading the Red Sox to their first playoff appearance since 2009 by improving the pitching staff and tinkering with the offense.

Guaranteed Contracts

• Adrian Gonzalez, 1B: $148MM through 2018
• Carl Crawford, OF: $122MM through 2017
• Josh Beckett, SP: $51MM through 2014
• John Lackey, SP: $47.85MM through 2014
• Dustin Pedroia, 2B: $29.25MM through 2014
• Jon Lester, SP: $19.5MM through 2013
• Kevin Youkilis, 3B: $13.25MM through 2012
• Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP: $10.33MM through 2012
• Bobby Jenks, SP: $6MM through 2012
• Jose Iglesias, SS: $4.12MM through 2013
  

Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)

• Jacoby Ellsbury, OF: $7.9MM
• Alfredo Aceves, RP: $1.7MM
• Daniel Bard, RP: $1.6MM
• Andrew Miller, SP: $1.6MM (non-tender candidate)
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C: $1.6MM
• Mike Aviles, UT IF: $1.5MM (non-tender candidate)
• Matt Albers, RP: $1.3MM (non-tender candidate)
• Jed Lowrie, UT IF: $1.2MM
• Franklin Morales, RP: $1.0MM
• Rich Hill, RP: $700K (non-tender candidate)

Contract Options

• Dan Wheeler, RP: $3MM club option with no buyout (Type B)
• Marco Scutaro, SS: $6MM club option/$3MM player option with a $1.5MM buyout (Type B)
  

Free Agents

• Jason Varitek (Type B C), David Ortiz (Type A DH), J.D. Drew (unranked OF), Conor Jackson (unranked OF), Erik Bedard (unranked SP), Tim Wakefield (unranked SP),Jonathan Papelbon (Type A RP)
  

To fully understand the challenges the Red Sox face this offseason, we must review the events of the past two months. Red Sox fans already know the unpleasant details, so I'll be brief: since the beginning of September, the Red Sox -- a franchise no longer accustomed to losing -- lost 20 games and their seemingly unshakable grip on a postseason berth. Days after the collapse, they lost their manager and within weeks their longtime general manager left, too. Now, they're about to see their designated hitter and closer hit free agency along with franchise icons Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek.

No, Cherington's first offseason in the GM's office won't be an easy one. But unlike his predecessor, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, Cherington doesn't face anything resembling a rebuilding process. Despite the chaos of the past eight weeks, Boston is well-positioned for success in 2012 and beyond.

It starts with the search for a new manager: someone who can restore order in a clubhouse that apparently featured more than its share of beer and fried chicken in 2011. Boston's search is in its early stages, with the team set to conduct first-round interviews soon.

The September version of the Red Sox played roughly the level of the 1962 Mets or 2003 Tigers. A whole lot went wrong down the stretch, so it would be unfair to put all the blame on Boston's starting rotation. But make no mistake -- Cherington must obtain starting pitching this winter. Pencil Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz in and you have three above-average starters leading the rotation, as long as Buchholz recovers from the lower back stress fracture that sidelined him at the end of 2011. John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka will be recovering from Tommy John surgery, which leaves two openings in Boston's rotation.

Reinforcements could come internally, where the Red Sox have Andrew Miller, Kyle Weilandand Felix Doubront. They could re-sign Wakefield, since the knuckleballer contributes every season and was his usual self in 2011, even as a 45-year-old. Cherington will be looking for more.

At his introductory press conference, the new GM suggested he'll search for buy-low starters. Perhaps this means the Red Sox will offer veteran starters one-year deals and hope for better results than John Smoltz and Brad Penny provided in 2009. Roy Oswalt could be an option, if the Red Sox believe his back is healthy.

As usual, the Red Sox and Yankees engaged in a bit of gamesmanship at the other's expense last offseason. Boston expressed interest in Mariano Rivera and New York drove up the pricefor Carl Crawford. Boston should inquire on C.C. Sabathia if he hits the open market this offseason. Sabathia could help the Red Sox and interest from Boston would at least drive the price up for the Yankees, if they successfully re-sign him. While the Steinbrenners spend more than any owners in the game, there's no harm in making the Yankees pay more than they'd like to.

Cherington hasn't publicly ruled out the pursuit of other top free agent starters and until he does, the Red Sox will be linked to the likes of Yu Darvish, C.J. Wilson and Edwin Jackson. The team could also try luring Hiroki Kuroda to Boston, though he appears to favor Los Angeles.

The Red Sox could inquire on any number of trade candidates, including Fausto Carmona, Jonathan Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco and White Sox starters Gavin Floyd andJohn Danks. Though Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie and all the Rays' starters are likely off-limits, the Red Sox should check in on the best arms available on the trade market. Unfortunately for them, the Yankees will be doing exactly the same thing. Depending on how the Red Sox approach their offseason, Jed Lowrie, Ryan Lavarnway, Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick could all be viewed as expendable in trade talks.

Jonathan Papelbon has anchored Boston's bullpen since 2006 and he recorded the final out of Boston's 2007 World Series championship. However, it's no secret he wants to follow the money and the Red Sox have a ready-made replacement in Daniel Bard, who should be fine in 2012, despite his awful September. Boston will surely offer Papelbon arbitration, as he's a Type A free agent, but I'll be surprised if he reports to Fort Myers with the Red Sox next Spring Training.

Like the rotation, the bullpen requires some offseason work. Bard, Alfredo Aceves andFranklin Morales will return and the Red Sox can hope for more from Bobby Jenks in 2012. Dan Wheeler, a valuable yet replaceable reliever, projects as a Type B free agent, so the Red Sox could decline his option and offer arbitration. This would assure them of one of two acceptable results: a draft pick or one more year of Wheeler at an affordable rate. Cherington will likely pursue relief pitching even if Wheeler and non-tender candidates Miller and Matt Albers return.

Lost in the drama of the past two months has been Boston's impressive offensive output. The Red Sox scored more runs than any team in baseball in 2011 and with most of their core players returning, there's no reason to believe they won't have one of the league's best offenses again. The Red Sox are likely to exercise Marco Scutaro's option for $6MM. This would give Jose Iglesias more time to develop and relegate Lowrie to the bench. The rest of Boston's infield is set, with Adrian Gonzalez at first, Dustin Pedroia at second and Kevin Youkilis at third.

The outfield features the American League's most surprising player this side of Mike Napoliand its most disappointing player this side of Adam Dunn, in Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford, respectively. Likely joining the two as starters is Reddick, who hit .280/.327/.457 in roughly half a season of playing time. The Red Sox may explore an extension for Ellsbury, not that negotiating with a Scott Boras client coming off of an MVP-caliber season would be easy.

After yet another productive season, David Ortiz is the top designated hitter available on the free agent market. He posted a .309/.398/.554 line, and even though he turns 36 this November, he seems well-positioned for a generous contract. Will the Red Sox finally provide him with the long-term deal he's been seeking for years? Maybe. They'll probably start by offering arbitration, an advisable move given Ortiz's power. But there's no sense in overcommitting to a positionless player who may be approaching his decline phase, so expect the Red Sox to be prepared to walk away. Other free agent DHs are available and Lavarnway is an internal candidate for the job, so Boston isn't bound to Ortiz.

When he introduced Boston's new general manager, Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino pointed out that Cherington will not have the luxury of a peaceful start. “He will hit the ground running, in full stride, and no one will outwork him,” Lucchino said. The way the 2011 season ended, there's no other choice.

I don't see how it is a rebuilding year.

What is there to rebuild?

There isn't going to be the activity that there was last offseason but how often can you trade for a superstar and sign a All Star to an $20 million per year deal? The answer is not often.

They will let some guys go and try and find some complementary guys to fill out the roster but the team should still be competitive next year and expectations should still be to get to the playoffs.

@MaureenaMullenMaureen Mullen

#RedSox will interview Pete Mackanin Monday for manager's job, according to a source.

Yeah I could see letting Ortiz walk or trading Youkilis if the right deal is there to upgrade the pitching staff, but they won't allow themselves to lose both power bats in the middle of their order.

Phillies bench coach.

I don't think that is a bad initial proposal, although I don't think they are going to sell low on Kalish (Not sure if that is selling low though).

I think the major trade market is going to be in Oakland for a guy like Gonzalez or Cahill and maybe Anderson. Though Oakland will most likely want quite a bit.

Not a surprise but Mackanin wants the job pretty badly.

Sveum interviews on Wednesday and that is the only known interviews at this time.

Cherington wants a manager in place by Thanksgiving according to Bradford.

Also the Sox fired the entire strength and conditioning/training department.

We will see how much of an impact a new one makes.

Training staff is probably a good move.

We have had way too many injuries the past two years for that not to go unnoticed.

After Francona was fired/left on his own accord, the coaching staff was likely gone.

Not too concerned about who is going to wind up with the job.

Given the process each has to go through, I think whoever it is will be well equipped for the rigors of the job.

After hearing what Mackanin went through, the interview is pretty damn thorough.

Update on Westmoreland from his dad, sounds promising: