Big job awaits next Red Sox architect

Theo Epstein picked an interesting time to leave the Red Sox.

Some executives believe he pulled a Pat Gillick, leaving just as the franchise was about to decline, ensuring his legend in New England would remain pristine. Epstein's strained relationship with club president Larry Lucchino appeared to be a major reason for his departure. In effect Epstein might have been telling Lucchino, "You've got all the answers? Fine, you fix the team."

The Sox were fortunate to reach the postseason; their Pythagorean record, based on run differential, suggests they should have won 90 games instead of 95. Only the Rangers, Devil Rays and Royals had a worse team ERA than the Red Sox's 4.74. And now first, second and third base are in flux. Center fielder Johnny Damon is a free agent. Left fielder Manny Ramirez wants to be traded--again.

Still, Epstein probably would have relished rebuilding. He inherited Damon, Ramirez, catcher Jason Varitek and righthanders Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe--the keys to the team's 2004 run. This would have been his chance to further stamp the team as his own, especially after getting mixed results from his major acquisitions last offseason: shortstop Edgar Renteria, righthander Matt Clement and lefthander David Wells.

The farm system, which Epstein worked hard to rebuild, is on the verge of producing solutions, particularly on the pitching side. But the trade of Ramirez alone likely would ensure that the Sox would be worse in '06; the Ramirez-David Ortiz combination is the team's best asset.

Ramirez evidently won't be satisfied until a deal is done, and he can wield his no-trade protection to effectively choose his next club. Thus, Epstein's replacement will begin his tenure by making a trade that likely will be unpopular and detrimental, at least in the short term. And that's not the half of it.

In his farewell news conference, Epstein asked Sox fans to show patience with young players as the team goes through a transition. Even if the fans listen to Epstein about that, they will have plenty else to obsess over. Staff ace Curt Schilling is about to turn 39. Closer Keith Foulke, 33, is coming off surgeries on both knees. Renteria, 30, looked old last season. Right fielder Trot Nixon, 31, is another health question. Heek, even if Damon returns, it will be with at least a four-year deal--for a banged-up, 32-year-old center fielder.

An outright collapse is at the extreme end of negative possibilities, but even if it happens, the Sox will be positioned to recover quickly. Their vast revenues support the game's second-highest payroll. Trading Ramirez likely would create additional flexibility. And the team's burgeoning group of prospects will create low-cost options at several positions. Third baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia could be significant parts of the '06 equation, along with righthanded pitchers Jonathan Papelbon and Craig Hansen and lefthander Jon Lester. Hanley Ramirez, who could make an impact at shortstop, third base or center field, will arrive soon.

With the right offseason additions--say, righthanded starter Kevin Millwood and lefthanded reliever B.J. Ryan as free agents and Devil Rays right fielder/first baseman Aubrey Huff and Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu in trades--the Sox again could be World Series contenders, if not in '06, then in '07. But there's much work to be done and no Epstein to do it. The Sox will be someone else's problem.

(S) Order your copy of The Pride of Chicago: The White Sox's 2005 Championship Season online at sportingnews.com/books.

speed read

The Devil Rays' new executives not only are young and bright, but they also are willing to listen--a quality that helped persuade former Astros G.M. Gerry Hunsicker to join the team as senior vice president of baseball operations. The next step for the Rays is to trade expendable hitters like Aubrey Huff and Jonny Gomes for pitching.

INSIDE DISH

How in demand was Pat Gillick? The Red Sox put out a feeler to Gillick just before he became the Phillies' G.M., the Diamondbacks expressed serious interest before they hired Josh Byrnes, and the Dodgers were crushed when Gillick snubbed them. * The White Sox could shift Jermaine Dye to first and play rookie Brian Anderson in right field if they lose flee-agent 1B Paul Konerko. Anderson, 23, also is an option in center field, giving the White Sox the flexibility to trade Aaron Rowand. * Some team will overpay for free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett, but here's something to consider: Burnett, 28, is 49-50 lifetime with a 3.73 ERA. At the same age, Yankees LHP Randy Johnson was 56-61 with a 4.09 ERA. Burnett comes with injury and makeup questions, but his potential remains intriguing. * The next Dodgers' G.M. will inherit a terrific farm system, and many of the top prospects will be at Class AAA next season. C Russell Martin, 22, is farm director Terry Collins' favorite player, and 3B Andy LaRoche, 22, is a good fielder with intriguing power potential. 1B James Loney, 21, is a spray hitter who hits for average, and IF Joel Guzman, who turns 21 this month, could be a huge star if he cuts down on his strikeouts. The Dodgers also are deep in young pitching. * Red Sox RHP Mike Timlin, 39, fired his longtime agent, David Sloane, then personally negotiated a one-year deal reportedly worth about $3.1 million, which is an increase of just $350,000 from his 2005 salary. As a free agent, Timlin probably would have commanded a two-year contract for at least $4 million per season. His club-friendly deal won't help comparable free-agent relievers.