We all know that the Boston Red Sox attempted to lure Billy Beane from the Oakland A’s in 2002. They made another attempt during the 2019 offseason.
Thanks to the miracle of film, virtually every baseball fan is aware that Billy Beane almost departed the Oakland A’s following the 2002 season. MoneyBall was at its peak, and the Boston Red Sox were looking to revamp their front office. Beane was their first choice to become the new general manager, but he ultimately decided to remain in Oakland.
However, that was not the only time the Red Sox attempted to pry Beane loose. According to reports, they had attempted to bring him on board after the 2019 season as well.
One interesting note re: Billy Beane. The Red Sox asked for permission on him in 2002, as we all know. But they also asked permission on Beane *again* in 2019, before hiring Chaim Bloom. Ownership's vision was to have a senior voice for someone more inexperienced.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) October 12, 2020
Beane would have made perfect sense in such a capacity. He would have been a great mentor for Chaim Bloom, giving the neophyte general manager a perfect sounding board as he navigated the offseason, especially as the Red Sox had gone into sell mode.
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In the end, Bloom resides atop the Red Sox hierarchy, the head of their baseball ops department. Beane has continued to do what he has on Oakland, turning one of the lowest payrolls in the game into a contending roster. Obviously, after one offseason where Bloom was ordered to cut payroll, it is difficult to judge his performance.
And the Red Sox could end up getting Beane anyway. There are questions about his future in baseball as his sports venture company is reportedly set to merge with Fenway Sports Group. As he would then become a part owner of the Red Sox, Beane would be forced to leave the A’s organization.
Maybe the third time is the charm. Maybe, with this acquisition, the Red Sox will finally get their man in Beane. Of course, it is a bit ironic that, as he may join the ownership group, his focus would no longer be on baseball, but rather, on European soccer and bringing his analytical mind to a sport still in its infancy in such concepts.
The Boston Red Sox long time desire for Billy Beane has not faded. In fact, they had attempted to pry him free again last offseason.