3 Big Moves Craig Breslow Must Make Immediately in Boston
By Tyler Maher
It took them a while, but the Boston Red Sox finally found someone to replace Chaim Bloom.
Now that Craig Breslow has the job leading the Red Sox's baseball operations department, it's time for him to get to work. Boston has several pressing needs that need to be addressed immediately if the team wants to bounce back from its second straight last-place finish.
Here are three moves that Breslow needs to make ASAP for the Red Sox.
1. Round Out the Coaching Staff
Alex Cora isn't going anywhere, so Breslow won't be able to hire his own manager. He will be able to hire a pitching coach and a third base coach, however, after Dave Bush and Carlos Feebles were let go earlier this offseason.
Breslow already seems to have someone in mind for the pitching coach position -- former teammate and current San Francisco Giants pitching coach Andrew Bailey. Bailey looks like a great fit for multiple reasons, including the fact that he pitched for Boston during his playing career and has a great relationship with Breslow.
Hopefully Breslow hires Bailey, but if not, he'll need to find someone else. The pitching staff needs a steady hand to guide it after several underwhelming seasons, including last year when it had the fifth-worst ERA in the American League (4.52).
Hiring a third base coach is less important, but still necessary. The Red Sox have made far too many baserunning mistakes over the last few years, and perhaps a new third base coach can help rectify that.
Bringing in new coaches isn't as splashy as acquiring new players, but it can be just as impactful. Rounding out the coaching staff will be one of the first ways Breslow makes his stamp on the organization. It's also an easy first step to take before the offseason really heats up after the World Series.