This Red Sox GM candidate who reportedly interviewed might surprise you

The Boston Red Sox GM candidate who reportedly interviewed might surprise you originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox are facing challenges in their search for an experienced front office executive to lead their baseball operations. A decade ago, this would have been hard to believe considering the Red Sox’s financial resources and their emphasis on winning.

Yet, numerous notable candidates from various roles in Major League Baseball have declined interviews with the Red Sox or opted to stay with their current teams. The sheer number of rejections is remarkable.

So, what will the Red Sox do?

Well, they have at least considered an unconventional choice. According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, former Giants and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler has interviewed with the Red Sox for a potential role in their baseball operations department.

Kapler’s main front office experience was as the farm system director for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2014 to 2017. Most of his career has been as a player or manager, including a stint with the Red Sox from 2003 to 2006.

Kapler managed the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018 and 2019 without securing a playoff spot. He then became the manager of the San Francisco Giants from 2020 until his recent termination. During his tenure, the Giants finished below .500 in three of four seasons. While the 2021 Giants won 107 games, they were eliminated in the National League Division Series.

While Kapler could be a viable candidate, the Red Sox have previously experimented with an inexperienced head of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, with unsatisfactory results. Therefore, it would be wise to bring in someone with more front office experience, someone who has executed significant trades and understands the pressure of working in a major market.

If all the more experienced candidates turn down the Red Sox, they may have no choice but to consider a less-experienced candidate. However, they should exhaust all options with experienced candidates before settling for a less-qualified individual.