The Latest On Boston's Pursuit of Thad Levine

[Cody Christie]

Thad Levine has been the second in command for multiple organizations over the last two decades. Will he finally get a shot to be the top dog? Here’s the latest on Boston’s pursuit of Levine.

Image courtesy of Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Thad Levine and Derek Falvey have been Minnesota’s dynamic duo since November 2016. It was clear from their opening press conference that the goal was sustainable contention. The Twins were coming off an MLB-worst 103 losses, so it would take time to rebuild multiple parts of the organization to fight for playoff spots consistently. During their seven years at the helm, the Twins have won three division titles and qualified for the playoffs four times. It’s been a steady turnaround, with the team having a bright future. 

Levine has worked at multiple levels of front offices for franchises throughout the big leagues. He joined the Twins from the Rangers, where he had been an assistant GM since 2005. Before that, he had worked in the Rockies and Dodgers front office. In various roles, he has run the team's international scouting department, working on player acquisitions and roster management. He’s one of baseball’s most well-qualified front-office members, and this isn’t the first time he’s considered for a top job. Previously, the Phillies, Mets, and Tigers organizations were interested in him, but he declined interviews. So, what makes the Red Sox job different from these other opportunities?

The timing might be right from a professional standpoint for Levine to step into a new role. The Red Sox have more resources than many other franchises, which must be intriguing to any interested candidate. Boston has won three World Series titles since 2007, with their latest title coming in 2018. However, they have also shuffled through front offices in recent years, which could make candidates a little leery of taking over the top spot. Will Boston allow a new front office more time to rebuild their system?

Levine is among a group of candidates vying for Boston’s top role, but there have been others to turn them down. The Red Sox originally asked to interview Derek Falvey, but he prefers to stay in Minnesota. Instead, Boston turned their attention to Levine, and multiple reports confirmed he interviewed in Boston last week. Former Twins pitcher Craig Breslow is another candidate for a job in the Red Sox front office, as he currently serves as the Cubs assistant GM. Interestingly, Levine and Breslow could unite in Boston similarly to how Falvey and Levine joined the Twins. Levine could take on the President of Baseball Operations role, while Breslow can move up and become Boston’s GM. (Notably, the Twins signed Breslow to their bullpen during Levine's first year as Minnesota's GM, in 2017.)

Many teams like to have their front office in place before the annual general manager meetings in early November. However, the Red Sox aren’t going to rush the process. Boston’s team president Sam Kennedy told reporters, “You’d love to have clarity as soon as possible, but we’re not going to let any deadline or timeline put constraints on the process.” It still seems likely for the Red Sox to make a decision in the coming days so their new front office can begin making decisions for the 2024 season. 

If Levine leaves, the Twins have multiple internal candidates prepared to step into his role. Daniel Adler and Jeremy Zoll currently serve as Assistant General Managers in the Twins front office hierarchy. Adler has worked for the Twins since 2017, when he was hired as the Director of Baseball Operations. His primary responsibilities include heading up the club’s arbitration, international scouting, and baseball research and development efforts. Zoll was the team’s Director of Minor League Operations from 2018-19 before being promoted to his current role. His duties include partnering with Dr. Chris Camp to oversee the organization’s performance team and drives developmental initiatives in the minor leagues. 

When organizations perform well, other teams will notice and try to emulate what they do on and off the field. Minnesota’s turnaround in recent years is undoubtedly a positive sign, but fans can expect losses from the front office and coaching staff. Will Levine be the first departure this winter? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

View full article

[TNtwins85]

I hope Levine gets his chance at the top. Seems like an upstanding guy who has been second in command for awhile. Unless he wants to see this to the end. The team is at a turning point at this stage to take that next step to WS contender. Do you finish what you started or do you take a maybe once in a lifetime opportunity?

[nicksaviking]

Adler seems most likely to get the GM job should Levine leave, but I'd be interested in an outside hire as well.

The biggest problem with the prior front office structure was how insular it was. They almost always hired from within and never brought in new perspective. Even when they did venture from their gene pool, they still brought in similar DNA. It's why the franchise was so stale and couldn't adapt to modern baseball.

I guess if they do hire from within, at least fill that person's spot with a fresh new voice.

[Jocko87]

13 minutes ago, TNtwins85 said:

I hope Levine gets his chance at the top. Seems like an upstanding guy who has been second in command for awhile. Unless he wants to see this to the end. The team is at a turning point at this stage to take that next step to WS contender. Do you finish what you started or do you take a maybe once in a lifetime opportunity?

It's all about perspective.  Dave St Peter could be considered the top, or even Joe, Jim, Bill or Bob Pohlad.  Where do you stop the pursuit of promotion?

It seems he's had multiple chances to move up a level and has passed on his choice just as much as the hiring team.  He may even have received offers in the past.  At these levels its much more about organizational fit, moving the family around etc.  I don't pick up a strong feeling that hes been chasing a promotion, its not like one more promotion means he doesn't still have a boss.

On the other hand, the willingness to take an interview in another town is a pretty standard, strong negotiation tactic if you are working on your own new contract.  I'm at about 85% the end result of all this is him getting a raise to stay.

[BH67]

"The Red Sox originally asked to interview Derek Falvey, but he prefers to stay in Minnesota."

Or, Derek prefers a location not spoiled by two decades of winning to create something durable before taking on one of the microscopically examined GM roles. Fine by me, whatever the reason. I never expected to feel this way after September 2022, but the fruits of his and Thad's labor has borne fruit aplenty.

[Nine of twelve]

It's now been 7 years since Falvey and Levine took over here. I am just now starting to feel confident that the organization is positioned for, to use Seth's words, sustainable contention. One should not expect things to happen much faster than this for a low-to-mid-revenue franchise because this is baseball. It takes time to build a reliable staff of scouts and player development people and it takes time for the players themselves to develop.

I expect that Levine will want assurances that ownership will be patient enough to allow an organizational system capable of producing sustainable contention to mature. One way the Red Sox could show faith in whomever they hire would be by agreeing to a guaranteed long term contract, of at least five years or so. Based on their recent history I have some doubt that they would have such patience, although they do have enough resources (in other words, money) to allow this timeline to be shortened somewhat. If the Red Sox seem reticent about doing this or too impatient I think he'll stay put in Minnesota.

[old nurse]

9 hours ago, TNtwins85 said:

I hope Levine gets his chance at the top. Seems like an upstanding guy who has been second in command for awhile. Unless he wants to see this to the end. The team is at a turning point at this stage to take that next step to WS contender. Do you finish what you started or do you take a maybe once in a lifetime opportunity?

This will be the third time there is an opening in Boston in the last 10 years. Levine is not that old that this is a once in a lifetime chance

[sun]

I really appreciate that Falvay is willing to stay.  I wonder if that means that Levine is the one more responsible for any of the bad moves that have been made on behalf of the Twins. There's been some boondoggles. I think that working for the Red Sox is only a once in a lifetime opportunity because it's mostly about the money, how to make more money & how to spend more money on behalf of the team that you're only going to work for once. I guess Levine is a sharp guy when it comes to analytics. But if he goes to work for the Red Sox I'm not going to feel sorry for him when he gets fired. I hope that he doesn't come back crying to the Twins about it.  Good luck & don't let the door hit your backside on the way out Thad.

[twinstalker]

That would be quite a difference in pressure level, going from second fiddle in MN to top dog in Boston.  I'd like to quantify changes in his sense of humor fall 2025 versus now.

[Jocko87]

3 hours ago, old nurse said:

This will be the third time there is an opening in Boston in the last 10 years. Levine is not that old that this is a once in a lifetime chance

You've also pointed out why he might not want that job.  Its a 5 year job in a two year town.  In fact, its his third in his lifetime chance at it. 

[Doctor Wu]

12 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

Based on their recent history I have some doubt that they would have such patience, although they do have enough resources (in other words, money) to allow this timeline to be shortened somewhat. If the Red Sox seem reticent about doing this or too impatient

I agree with that. Boston has never seemed like a patient organization in that respect. Both the ownership and the fans there want immediate results. 

[old nurse]

5 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

You've also pointed out why he might not want that job.  It’s a 5 year job in a two year town.  In fact, it’s his third in his lifetime chance at it. 

Epstein did fine after being fired from Boston as did Dombrowski. Being fired from Boston isn’t a career killer 

[Jocko87]

4 hours ago, old nurse said:

Epstein did fine after being fired from Boston as did Dombrowski. Being fired from Boston isn’t a career killer 

Why would you take a job with a high chance of getting fired?  You only do that when you don't have options.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

Why would you take a job with a high chance of getting fired?  You only do that when you don't have options.

They all get fired at some point in time. Some quit because the situation changes, they are going to get fired,, bored with it, or won their World Series and quitting while they are ahead