Red Sox upper management and ownership reportedly "made it clear" to President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski that the organization's top prospects were not to be dealt at the trade deadline, but the edict "didn't create any philosophical tension" between Dombrowski and his superiors, according to sources cited by Sean McAdam of BOSTON SPORTS JOURNAL. However, it is "telling that upper management/ownership felt the need" to implement the restriction. Since being hired, Dombrowski has "made 10 trades involving 23 prospects and the exodus of young players from the organization has evidently concerned ownership." It is likely Owner John Henry does not "want to see the Red Sox transformed into the Tigers, the organization Dombrowski ran before coming to Boston." The Tigers now have an "aging, expensive roster with a number of veteran players in decline, and a farm system that has been depleted" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 8/3).
WORKING AS ONE: Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy discussed his latest promotion with the club by referencing his start in the industry selling ads for N.Y.-based WFAN-AM. Kennedy: "It's a long way from working in the basement ... back in the WFAN days, but it's great to be home in Boston and really I think it's a testament to the great front office we have." Kennedy also addressed the team's release of 3B Pablo Sandoval, who the club still owes $49.5M. Kennedy: "Obviously, there's a huge financial impact to the operation of the club so (Dombrowski) and I started on it together, but that's an ownership level decision so we both talked to (Chair) Tom Werner and John Henry and went to them together." Kennedy: "It's just a demonstration that this ownership group is prepared to do what it takes to try to play competitive baseball in October and it was a hard pill to swallow, but credit to John and Tom for making that tough decision and moving on” (“High Heat,” MLB Network, 8/3). In Boston, Steve Buckley notes Kennedy also "has a new responsibility." He is the "first Red Sox president in modern history who must call a staff meeting and ask everyone in the room, 'Why do so many people dislike us?'” Fenway Park "remains the world’s biggest sardine can, with hardcore fans, casual pink-hat types and googly-eyed tourists rushing to fill every last seat." Buckley: "But let’s not kid ourselves: There’s been a dark cloud hovering over Fenway all season." NESN’s ratings "are down, and ire is up." Buckley: "And if you’re Sam Kennedy you eventually have to take a look under the hood and see if maybe there’s a loose wire somewhere" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/4).
MISSING THE BIG MAN: In Boston, Chad Finn writes NESN misses former player David Ortiz "almost as much as the Red Sox lineup does." Through 81 games, Red Sox games on the network averaged a 5.06 rating, down from a 6.23 last season "after the same number of games." NESN averaged a 6.35 rating last season, which marked Ortiz' final year with the team (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/4).
