Is “Genius at Work?” the Wrong Question to Ask About Craig Breslow?
We have greatly benefited from it.
Considering what we’ve learned about John Henry since Bloom assumed control, it shouldn’t be surprising that ownership seemingly imposed a strict $225 million salary cap on Bloom for 2023, a substantial $13 million below the initial luxury tax threshold. Regardless of other factors, Henry appears to be relatively frugal compared to other purported top-tier clubs. Nevertheless, working within peculiar, arbitrary constraints is a universal task, so it’s equally applicable to both Bloom, who overstayed his welcome, and Craig Breslow, who is just beginning his tenure. In comparison, there’s much to appreciate. Bloom remained faithful to his process even when results were consistently mediocre, whereas Breslow appears to have set his sights a bit higher for each deal than his predecessor, demonstrating a proactive approach. Apart from the Mookie Betts trade, which is credited to Bloom, Breslow’s approach is a noticeable departure, especially securing deals earlier in the player movement period, a shift from Bloom’s tendency to “soak up the value in January.”
The Chris Sale trade particularly impressed me, as it’s unclear whether Bloom had the authorization or foresight to execute it. Regardless, a deal of this nature would have made sense at various points in recent years. Breslow accomplishing it within a few months is not just competent but impressive.
However, there’s still a long way to go. Considering Scott Boras’ influence over the offseason, it’s reasonable to expect a steady progression until “pitchers and catchers” report. Therefore, exercising patience seems sensible. While Bloom began by creating problems where none existed, Breslow addressed evident roster gaps and alleviated financial burdens.
Breslow, a mop-up man, served as a reliever on the most entertaining Red Sox team ever. In the early stages of his tenure, traces of a classic cleanup job are evident. Successfully navigating out of a jam requires making crucial pitches and being willing to do so. There’s no refuge, no beautiful theoretical design to rely on—only actions when the spotlight is on and the clock is ticking. Unlike Bloom, who let the clock run out on numerous deals, Breslow has demonstrated a different approach. Is he constrained by ownership? Yes. Does he possess a concrete plan for today? Not entirely. However, he’s here, ready to give it his best shot, and that, in itself, is a departure from past failures.
