It’s safe to say that Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom had a bad work week. Despite telling the media that they had every intention of re-signing Xander Bogaerts, Boston lost him to the San Diego Padres. This loss was by far more devastating than when he traded away Mookie Betts. This marks the third homegrown player that Bloom has either traded to another team or lost in free agency. The Red Sox have also not gotten great returns whenever they have executed trades. Had it not been for a surprise ALCS run in 2021, Bloom would’ve been fired this year. I believe Chaim Bloom is sitting on a hot seat.
A Questionable Firing By Boston
Chaim Bloom was hired to replace Dave Dombrowski despite winning the World Series in the prior season. The Red Sox wanted to reduce payroll and get under the luxury tax. At the time of Dombrowki’s firing, the Red Sox were $37 million over the tax. Bloom was hired because of his experience and success running the low-budget Tampa Bay Rays. Dombrowski’s firing was seen as questionable, and those skeptics have been proven right in Bloom’s first three seasons.
The First Of Many Questionable Trades
During Bloom’s first offseason, he and the Red Sox were trying to re-sign perennial all-star and MVP, Mookie Betts. Unable to come to a deal, Bloom shipped Betts to the Dodgers for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs. This was despite Betts wanting to stay in Boston. Betts has gone on to help the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020 and has been an All-Star two seasons in a row. The Dodgers have also been to the postseason for the past two years as well. Meanwhile, Alex Verdugo has been a good player, but he hasn’t lived up to his billing as a top prospect. As for Wong and Downs, the jury is still out on them both as they haven’t played enough yet. However, I doubt all three of them will equal the production that Betts had when he was on the Red Sox.
During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Red Sox finished in last place. However, their manager Alex Cora was suspended due to his involvement with the Astros sign stealing scandal. So, he hired former Brewers manager, Ron Roenicke on an interim basis.
Another Bad Trade But A Surprising Playoff Run
After that season, Bloom once again decided to trade a homegrown productive player. This time he traded Andrew Benintendi to the Royals for Franchy Cordero, Josh Winckowski, and three players to be named later. Once again, the return from that trade has been awful for Boston. Benintendi has continued to be a consistent hitter for both the Royals and part of the season with the Yankees. Meanwhile, Franchy Cordero was just non-tendered this offseason after hitting just .208 in two seasons with Boston. Making matters worse, Josh Winckowski had a rocky first season in 2022 registering an earned run average of 5.89.
However, in 2021, the Red Sox were able to get Alex Cora back in the dugout. The Red Sox would finish with a record of 92-70 and make the postseason as a wild-card team. They would go on to beat the Yankees and Rays and advance to the ALCS. The Red Sox would bow out 4-2 against the Astros. Fans thought that Bloom’s plan was starting to work.
A Questionable Free Agent Signing So Far
Last offseason, Chaim decided to spend some money and acquired former Rockies star, Trevor Story. Bloom signed him to a six-year $140 million contract. So far that signing hasn’t worked out for Boston. Story was limited to 94 games this season due to hand and heel contusions. He hit .238 and only had 16 home runs and 66 RBI. He also hasn’t been the feared hitter that he was with the Rockies. However, there is still time for this signing to work out.
Another Bad Trade
That same offseason, Bloom dealt Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jackie Bradley Jr., David Hamilton, and Alex Binelas. This came after Renfroe had a career year with Boston. While Renfroe was one of Milwaukee’s better hitters, Bradley Jr. was released after having an OPS of just 578 in 94 games. Once again, Bloom failed to get a productive return from a trade.
After a surprise run to the ALCS, many thought the Red Sox would be contending for a playoff spot in 2022. However, the Red Sox would finish in last place with a 78-84. Their long-neglected pitching staff struggled all season. They also had a hard time settling on a closer. One of the low points of the season came during the trade deadline.
A Weird Trade Deadline In 2022
Bloom decided to confuse everyone and be a buyer but also a seller at the same time. He traded away Christian Vasquez but also acquired Reese McGuire, Tommy Pham, and Eric Hosmer. It was a confusing approach by a team that essentially showed that the front office was indeed lost. It also makes one wonder whether Chaim Bloom and the front office have a plan at all.
Breaking Red Sox Fan’s Hearts
Despite always dealing away key players, no offseason broke the heart of Red Sox Nation more than this one. Fan favorite and unofficial captain, Xander Bogaerts was signed away by the San Diego Padres. This came after Bloom had spoken publicly about making it a priority to keep Bogaerts in a Red Sox jersey for the rest of his career. The most aggravating thing about Bogaerts leaving was Bloom had months to re-sign him. Instead, he repeatedly lowballed the Red Sox franchise player. This is one of those losses that can define a legacy. With Bogaerts now gone, this could affect how the negotiation goes with the Red Sox’s other star, Rafael Devers
Time will tell whether Kenley Jansen will prove to be the answer to the Red Sox closer issues. While Bloom was able to sign Japanese star Masataka Yoshida, it may have cost them re-signing Bogaerts. Some executives thought the Red Sox overpaid Yoshida. While Yoshida brings a great bat to Boston, he is limited defensively and that is an area where they struggled in 2022.
How Does He Survive This?
Chaim Bloom inherited a contender upon arriving in Boston. In just three seasons, he has quickly turned the Red Sox into a rebuilding project without an end in sight. Bad trade returns and an unwillingness to pay star players have been the cause of Bloom’s failure in Boston. The Red Sox are looking like they’re going to struggle again in 2023. I wonder how Chaim Bloom is going to survive this. I don’t know how Red Sox owner, John W Henry can sell Bloom’s plan to the fans much longer.
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1 Comment
Chaim Bloom is a loser who has turned the Red Sox into a losing organization. After years prioritizing Fenway as my preferred recreational destination, you can keep the tickets and the games on TV, along with broadcast sponsors messaging, losing out to Netflix at my house.