In Boston, Alex Speier notes the Red Sox announced that Baseball HOFer Tony La Russa will join the front office as a VP, where he will "serve as a special assistant" to President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. The club believes La Russa can be a "unique resource for managers and coaches throughout the organization." He "hopes to be a sounding board while respecting the terrain" of new manager Alex Cora and his staff (
BOSTON GLOBE, 11/3). NBC SPORTS BOSTON's Evan Drellich wrote La Russa "might be a fine addition to the brain trust, and there’s nothing wrong with expanding the brain trust." Drellich: "But does he move the needle?" (
NBCSPORTS.com, 11/2).
SEE THROUGH: In K.C., Sam Mellinger notes Royals Owner David Glass last week "stiff-armed" the Braves' request to talk to Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Dayton Moore about their open GM position. Moore is under contract for a few more years, and Glass is "not required to do anything more than meet the terms of that deal." However, Glass "owes Moore and everyone else on the baseball side of the club more than that." The Braves three years ago were "interested in Moore, and Glass said he wouldn’t restrict anyone from talking about other jobs." Glass at the time wondered "why would he want to keep someone against their will." Mellinger: "But now he won’t allow it?" (K.C. STAR, 11/3).
BACK IN BUSINESS: In Tampa, Marc Topkin reports Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman is shifting "back to the business side" of the team's front office. In October '14, when Andrew Friedman left the Rays for the Dodgers, Silverman was Owner Stu Sternberg’s "clear choice to take over baseball operations." But Silverman's role on that side "never seemed to be a long-term gig so his coming" back is "not surprising" (TAMPABAY.com, 10/29).
