Updates on Boston’s Pursuit of Thad Levine…
Thad Levine has spent the past two decades as the second-in-command in various organizations. Is it finally his turn to take the top position? Let’s delve into the latest developments regarding Boston’s efforts to bring Levine on board.
Since November 2016, Thad Levine and Derek Falvey have been the dynamic duo steering the ship for the Minnesota Twins. Their mission from the outset was clear: to establish a sustainable contender.
The Twins were reeling from a devastating 103-loss season in MLB, so a considerable rebuilding effort was in order to consistently vie for playoff berths. Over the seven years of their leadership, the Twins have clinched three division titles and secured playoff berths four times. It’s been a methodical turnaround, and the future appears promising for the team.
Levine boasts a rich history of working at various levels within big league front offices. His journey to the Twins began after a stint as an assistant GM with the Rangers, where he served from 2005. Prior to that, he contributed to the front offices of the Rockies and Dodgers. In diverse roles, he has overseen international scouting, player acquisitions, and roster management.
Undoubtedly, Levine ranks among the most highly qualified members in baseball’s front-office realm. Interestingly, he’s been a top job candidate before, with the Phillies, Mets, and Tigers expressing interest, though he declined interviews. So, what sets the Red Sox opportunity apart from these previous inquiries?
The timing might be right, from a professional perspective, for Levine to embrace a new role. The Red Sox offer more resources than many other franchises, which would intrigue any aspiring candidate. Boston has claimed three World Series titles since 2007, with their latest victory in 2018.
Nonetheless, they’ve experienced some front-office shuffling in recent times, which might make candidates cautious about taking the top position. Will the Red Sox be patient enough to allow a new front office the time needed for rebuilding?
Levine is currently part of a group of candidates competing for Boston’s leading role, with others having declined the opportunity. Initially, the Red Sox sought to interview Derek Falvey, but he has chosen to stay in Minnesota.
As an alternative, Boston has turned its attention to Levine, and multiple reports confirm that he was interviewed in Boston last week. Another candidate for a role in the Red Sox front office is former Twins pitcher Craig Breslow, who currently serves as the Cubs’ assistant GM.
Interestingly, Levine and Breslow could follow a path in Boston similar to Falvey and Levine’s journey with the Twins. Levine could potentially assume the role of President of Baseball Operations, while Breslow might become Boston’s GM. Notably, the Twins signed Breslow to their bullpen during Levine’s first year as Minnesota’s GM, in 2017.
Many teams prefer to have their front office structure in place before the annual general manager meetings in early November. However, the Red Sox aren’t rushing the process. Sam Kennedy, Boston’s team president, stated, ‘We’d like to have clarity as soon as possible, but we won’t be bound by any deadlines or timelines in this process.’ Nonetheless, it appears likely that the Red Sox will make a decision in the days ahead so that their new front office can start planning for the 2024 season.
Should Levine depart, the Twins have multiple internal candidates ready to step into his role. Daniel Adler and Jeremy Zoll currently serve as Assistant General Managers in the Twins’ front office hierarchy. Adler has been with the Twins since 2017, initially hired as the Director of Baseball Operations, overseeing areas such as arbitration, international scouting, and baseball research and development.
Zoll, on the other hand, transitioned from his role as the team’s Director of Minor League Operations from 2018-19 to his current position. His responsibilities include collaborating with Dr. Chris Camp in managing the organization’s performance team and driving developmental initiatives in the minor leagues.
When organizations perform well, others take notice and attempt to replicate their on-field and off-field success. Undoubtedly, Minnesota’s recent turnaround is a positive indicator, but fans should anticipate changes within the front office and coaching staff.
Evaluating the Top Five Free-Agent Second Basemen for the Upcoming Season…
When discussing the Boston Red Sox’s offseason priorities, starting pitching takes the spotlight, but it’s important not to underestimate the significance of addressing the second base position.
Throughout the 2023 season, second base was a weak point for the Red Sox, especially on the defensive front. It saw a constant rotation of 12 different players sharing responsibilities at the position.
As of now, Luis Urias, who was acquired at the trade deadline, is expected to be the Opening Day second baseman, with Pablo Reyes as another potential option. Prospects Ceddanne Rafaela and Enmanuel Valdez are also in consideration, although Rafaela may be better suited to showcase his elite defensive skills in the outfield, and Valdez is not known for his defensive prowess.
The Red Sox clearly have a pressing need in the middle infield. Unfortunately, the pool of available free-agent second basemen is quite limited. As a result, the best course of action might involve pursuing a trade to upgrade the position, moving Trevor Story back to second base, or signing one of the top utility infielders available.
Nevertheless, if the Red Sox decide to explore free-agent second basemen, here are the top five options as of now:
- Adam Frazier
- Age: 32
- Frazier claims the top spot on this list, reflecting the scarcity of quality options in free agency. Although he was an All-Star in 2021, his 2023 season with Baltimore featured a .240/.300/.396 slash line, 13 home runs, and 60 RBIs in 141 games played. His defensive performance was a significant concern, with metrics indicating it was subpar. Signing Frazier might not address the Red Sox’s defensive issues at second base.
- Donovan Solano
- Age: 36
- Solano spent most of his 2023 season at first base with the Twins, despite primarily playing second base throughout his MLB career. He’s not known for his defensive prowess but did have a solid offensive season in Minnesota, batting .282/.369/.391 with five homers in 134 games. Like Frazier, his defensive limitations may not make him a suitable fit for Boston.
- Kolten Wong
- Age: 33
- Wong had a forgettable 2023 season, experiencing a noticeable drop in defensive performance and struggling at the plate while playing for the Mariners and Dodgers. However, he showed promise in 2022 with Milwaukee, making a bounce-back season a possibility.
- Tony Kemp
- Age: 32
- Kemp doesn’t stand out as a power hitter and had a subpar defensive performance at second base in the previous season. Nevertheless, he offers versatility, with the ability to play in left field, and boasts excellent plate discipline. In 2023, he joined a select group of players with more walks than strikeouts, which may make him an appealing option for some teams.
- Brad Miller
- Age: 34
- Miller missed a significant portion of the 2023 season due to injury. He is known for his power-hitting abilities when healthy, but his injury history raises concerns. At this stage of his career, he’s best suited as a designated hitter and may not be the ideal choice for the Red Sox.
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