Neal Huntington. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

New candidate emerges for Red Sox front office job

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated 10/16/23

The Boston Red Sox are in search of their next head of baseball operations. One new candidate has roots just an hour away from Fenway Park.

The Red Sox fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom last month after four seasons with the organization. Red Sox radio host Rob Bradford heard from “multiple sources” that former Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is in consideration as Bloom’s replacement. Huntington hails from Amherst, New Hampshire.

Multiple sources confirm that former Pirates GM Neal Huntington is a candidate for the Red Sox head of baseball ops position. Was let go in Pittsburgh after 2019 season. Worked with Guardians last season. A New Hampshire native.

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) October 16, 2023

Huntington spent 12 seasons as the general manager of the Pirates. During that span, the team had four winning seasons and made the playoffs thrice in a row from 2013-15.

The Bucs’ best year under Huntington was in 2013. Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen was named NL MVP of that season, as the team finished just one win short of making it to the NLCS.

The Red Sox made the playoffs just once in four seasons under Bloom’s leadership. Boston finished 2022 and 2023 with identical 78-84 records. The Red Sox brain trust fired Bloom in September as the team held a 73-72 record toward the end of the regular season.

Bloom’s tenure in Beantown began with the infamous Mookie Betts trade that drew the ire of several Red Sox fans. The team has failed to consistently field a winning roster since the departure of the former AL MVP.

The Red Sox have already ruled out one big name in their search for the next head of baseball operations, which ultimately helps Huntington’s chances.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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