The Red Sox have been on a wayward path over the last calendar year, the team falling into last place and chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom rightfully having many of his decisions questioned.
Principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner have remained largely silent, dodging reporters by referring all questions to perpetually optimistic team president Sam Kennedy.
That ended Wednesday when Werner attended the press conference at Fenway Park to announce the team’s 10-year contract extension with All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers and took questions afterward.
To start with, Henry (who also owns the Globe) and Werner aren’t selling the team.
“Absolutely no plans,” Werner said. “People should know that not only is our brains into trying to fix the last-place finish but our heart is with our fans.
“I’m 72; John’s 72. We have a desire to win many more World Series here. As long as we’re healthy, we’re going to be hopefully improving the stewardship of the Red Sox.”
“Our heart and soul is with the Red Sox,” he said.
Werner chuckled at the idea that Henry being booed before the NHL’s Winter Classic at Fenway led to Devers agreeing to a new contract a few days later.
“That’s kind of implausible,” he said. “We’ve been trying to sign Raffy for a long time. By the way, owners get booed. That’s part of the deal. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
The Sox remain committed to Bloom, who was hired in 2019. The team is four games over .500 in three seasons since.
“I think that he’s one of the finer heads of baseball operations in baseball,” Werner said. “He had a tough year last year; we all had a tough year.
Tom Werner says ownership’s ‘heart and soul is with the Red Sox,’ and the team is not going to be sold - The Boston Globe
The Red Sox chairman addressed the team's last-place finish, Chaim Bloom's performance, Fenway Sports Group's plans, and other matters at the Rafael Devers press conference.
www.bostonglobe.com
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