Ex-Red Sox Executive Breaks Silence on 'Bold' Trade of $313 Million Superstar
The Chicago Cubs have seized a top spot in the National League and are preparing to fortify their roster ahead of a push for the World Series.
But the front office is no stranger to the other side of things, having been a stark deadline seller in recent years in attempts to rebuild after winning the World Series. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer reflected on that recent history by highlighting the role of his former colleague Craig Breslow, who is now the chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox.
"He was a big part of the decision to trade away our core World Series guys," Hoyer explained, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. "It was time to reset and bring in new talent and put the organization in a different direction. He saw that as the right thing to do at the time."
Apparently, that lesson stuck with Breslow. As the Red Sox publicly butted heads with franchise slugger Rafael Devers earlier this season, Breslow opted to trade him away to the San Francisco Giants.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 12: Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer introduces Shōta Imanaga during a press conference at Lowes Hotel on January 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 12: Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer introduces Shōta Imanaga during a press conference at Lowes Hotel on January 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by)
DiNuzzo/Getty
Now, Hoyer has shared his reaction to the most shocking trade in recent Major League Baseball memory by praising Breslow's willingness to make it.
"He's been bold with the (Garrett) Crochet deal, and obviously with the Devers deal, I loved the conviction he showed on that deal," Hoyer said, according to McCaffrey. "When I see other executives make decisions like that, I have so much respect because I know what goes into it from a personal standpoint."
Though Red Sox fans might have been disappointed by the move, Hoyer is in a better position than most to understand the potential benefits of trading away a player in the midst of a $313 million contract like Devers. He is one of a number of ex-Red Sox executives who have gone on to run front offices of their own, including Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. The Cubs have been embroiled in a four-year playoff drought since making their own sales, but those decisions seem to be paying off this season.
As the Cubs look to transition their strong start into a deep playoff run, fans won't need to worry about Hoyer offloading any superstars this time around. But his praise for the Devers deal should be a reminder that tough roster decisions are never too far away.
More MLB: 2 Braves Pitchers Linked To Potential Trade Ahead Of Deadline, Per Report
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