Red Sox pick two to fill GM vacancy

Tue, Dec. 13, 2005
NEW YORK - Unable to decide on a successor to Theo Epstein, the Boston Red Sox chose two.
The Red Sox split their general manager's job Monday between two of his former assistants, farm director Ben Cherington and assistant GM Jed Hoyer.
"It made sense, given their personal compatibility and their experience, to do it together," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said. "It made sense for us to divide things up. If there's a better way to build a mousetrap, we'll try that, too. But this is the way we're committed to now. There's more than one way to structure a front office."
Epstein left after his contract expired Oct. 31 and wasn't able to reach agreement with Lucchino on a new deal. Lucchino left open the possibility Epstein could play some role in the front office.
"The door has been really ajar for some time, and until Theo goes to work for another baseball organization we'll keep the light on in the window with the possibility of him coming back and helping us," Lucchino said.
In Detroit, 41-year-old left-hander Kenny Rogers finalized a $16 million, two-year deal with the Tigers.
Also, Roger Clemens' representatives were contacted by the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, who expressed interest in signing the seven-time Cy Young Award winner for next season. His agent, Randy Hendricks, said last week that the 43-year-old right-hander won't decide for at least a month whether to retire or pitch next season.
"We just wanted to plant a seed and tell him it would be a storybook way for him to end his career," Lucchino said.
Rogers was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA this year and won a career-high 18 games in 2004 with the Texas Rangers. He shoved two television cameramen while walking onto the field on June 29 and was suspended for 20 games, a penalty the players' association appealed. It was reduced to 13 games by an arbitrator.
Rogers realizes when his name is mentioned, his confrontation is, too.
"It doesn't bother me," he said. "It's not like the first mistake I've made in my life. I've never professed to being perfect. For any fans, I would hope they will see what type of guy I am, and make their decisions based on that."
In Atlanta, the Braves introduced Edgar Renteria, acquired from Boston last week for third base prospect Andy Marte.
Renteria started last season 0 for 10, hit .228 in April and struggled to fit in with the Red Sox. He was booed by Boston fans as he piled up a major league-high 30 errors.
His finished with a .276 batting average, eight homers and 70 RBIs -- passable for most shortstops but well below his best years with Florida and St. Louis. In 2003, he hit .330 with 13 homers, 100 RBIs and 34 stolen bases for the Cardinals.
Renteria acknowledged he wasn't prepared for the negative reception from Boston fans.
"This was my first time," he said of the boos from the home-team supporters. "I didn't know how to handle it.... Nobody likes to get booed. You see me play, I always start slow. Maybe the fans didn't know anything about me."
Spurned in their pursuit of Morris and Josh Beckett, the Texas Rangers acquired former All-Star right-hander Vicente Padilla from the Phillies on Monday for a player to be named.
Padilla, an All-Star in 2002, was 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA in 27 starts last season in Philadelphia. He made $3.2 million and is eligible for salary arbitration.
"He is a youthful starting pitcher with an excellent track record that includes an All-Star selection, and will bolster our starting rotation," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.
Free-agent utility infielder Damion Easley, yet another player leaving the Florida Marlins, agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
San Diego announced a $2.25 million, one-year contract for leadoff hitter Dave Roberts and agreed to a $1 million, one-year deal for reliever Doug Brocail, who must pass a physical before the deal is finalized.
In other preliminary deals that were not announced, St. Louis agreed to a $2.9 million, two-year contract with 35-year-old left-hander Ricardo Rincon, Detroit agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with catcher Vance Wilson and Kansas City agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with backup catcher Paul Bako.
Among players eligible for salary arbitration, the Rangers agreed to one-year contracts with left-hander Brian Shouse ($725,000) and infielder Mark DeRosa ($675,000), and Houston agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year contract with first baseman Mike Lamb.

Source: http://www.belleville.com/