Theo Epstein announces return to Red Sox

Apr 29, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein on the field before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox have finally made a move that will get fans excited, but it has nothing to do with improving their current roster.

Theo Epstein is joining Fenway Sports Group as a part-owner and senior advisor. FSG is the holding company that owns the Red Sox and several other professional sports teams, including Liverpool soccer club and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The news was first reported by Brendan Coffey of Sportico.

“It’s a great honor, something I’m really excited about,” Epstein said in a video call on Friday morning. “It’s just exciting to be joining such a dynamic, groundbreaking company across multiple sports, doing so many innovative things at the cutting edge of everything going on in sports these days. For me, it’s perfect, I was looking for a pathway into ownership.”

Epstein had been working as a special consultant for Major League Baseball. The 50-year-old will continue in an informal role with the league’s competition committee.

As a part-owner of Fenway Sports Group, Epstein will be involved in all of the company’s sports-related business dealings. Though he will not have a direct hand in personnel decisions with the Red Sox, he said he will be available to the team’s baseball operations people.

Craig Breslow, who was hired as the Red Sox’s new chief baseball officer this offseason, landed his first MLB executive job with the Chicago Cubs in 2019. Epstein was the one who hired him.

“I’m a full believer in him and what he and his team are going to mean for the Red Sox,” Epstein said Friday of Breslow.

Epstein grew up in Brookline, Mass., and has always been viewed as a savior for Red Sox fans. He was the general manager of the team when Boston snapped their 86-year World Series drought in 2004. Epstein then helped the Red Sox win another World Series in 2007 before later taking over baseball operations with the Cubs.

The Red Sox won just 78 games in each of the past two seasons. Fans in Boston have been incredibly frustrated with the team’s lack of spending. While the Epstein news will be viewed as a positive, it remains to be seen if he will have any direct impact on improving the team.