The Boston Red Sox may be turning to a division rival for their next general manager.
Tampa Bay Rays Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom interviewed for the Red Sox’s job and is viewed as a serious candidate, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Athletic’s Red Sox reporter, Chad Jennings, also says Boston’s search appears to be coming to an end.
Bloom, 36, has been with the Rays since 2005, working his way up from being an intern to his current position. He is a Yale graduate.
There was some thought that the Rays might not be as much of a contender after Andrew Friedman left to take the Dodgers job after the 2014 season. Instead, Bloom and Erik Neander have helped the Rays remain successful; they finished second in the AL East this year, ahead of the Red Sox, and lost in the ALDS in five games.
Boston is looking for a new general manager after firing Dave Dombrowski less than a year after winning the World Series.
The Rays have proven adept at fielding competitive and winning teams on a tiny budget. Their front office has been extremely creative as well, as they popularized the “opener” pitching movement.
