New Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski was "being pursued by other teams" after being fired by the Tigers earlier this month, and he "leveraged that into full control of baseball operations" with his new team, according to Peter Abraham of the BOSTON GLOBE. Dombrowski reports directly to ownership, and "outside of eight-figure contracts, will pretty much do what he wants." He has indicated several times that he "knows when it’s necessary to run something by the owners and when it’s not." Outgoing GM Ben Cherington "had a much thicker chain of command to navigate." The hiring of Dombrowski means Exec VP & COO Sam Kennedy, who will succeed Larry Lucchino as President after the season, "does not quite have the job he thought he did." Kennedy earlier this month said that he "would have a seat at the table in baseball operations." But any seat he has now "is just as spectator and supporter." Cherington’s departure "will surely lead to the loss of other longtime staffers in baseball operations" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/21). Meanwhile, in Chicago, Gordon Wittenmyer reports Cubs Senior VP/Player Development & Amateur Scouting Jason McLeod sounds "likely to stay with the Cubs through this cycle -- even if offered the GM job" under Dombrowski. McLeod, who was with the Red Sox' front office for six seasons, said that the team's GM job "would not be attractive to him." McLeod: "A lot of guys are just trying to figure out what’s going to happen with Dave coming in. There are a lot of good people that have done a really good job in that organization, and I’m just really hopeful that they get a fair look as this changeover takes place" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/21).
SOX IT TO ME: In Chicago, Scot Gregor notes White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf ultimately is going to have the "final say about who stays and who goes when the season ends." Reinsdorf has been "incredibly patient throughout a roller-coaster season, but you have to wonder how much longer it's going to last." White Sox GM Rick Hahn, who spoke to reporters before Thursday's game against the Angels, said, "We're all disappointed ... about where we sit right now. We're going to have to go in the off-season and evaluate everyone in terms of, 'Are we putting ourselves in the best position to succeed?'" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/21). The DAILY HERALD's Matt Spiegel wrote signs point to Exec VP Kenny Williams after the season "wanting to leave the White Sox for a new challenge," and the time "is right for Jerry to let him go." Hahn has "done a lot to change the focus of the organization, spearheading investment and restructuring within the scouting department." Spiegel: "Let him continue, now unencumbered, making decisions and deals without running them by his boss first" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/20).
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE? In Tacoma, Bob Dutton notes there is a "growing number of rumors and speculation" that Mariners GM Jack Zdurienick's job "is on the line despite getting a multiyear extension less than a year ago." However, it is "hard to see that it's having any effect as he works through the closing weeks" of the season. Zdurienick said that he "sees no indication that the ongoing chatter regarding his job security is affecting his staff." He added that he has "not changed his approach" to his job. Zdurienick: "My job is to do my job every day. ... I'm not going to do anything that is not in the best interest of this organization" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 8/21). He said of his future with the team, "I don’t have any control over that. ... I can see what’s going on here. I know what has not worked and what should be working and isn’t" (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/21).
