Craig Breslow hired as Chief Baseball Officer

alrighty, let’s build a pitching factory!

Good interview from a year ago, Breslow starts about 5 minutes in.

I have no idea what to expect at all. He's walking into a pressure cooker.

I do like that Theo Epstein personally recruited him. Theo in your corner is a very good thing.

Not sure how his pitching "expertise" factors in, but maybe he'll have a bit of an inside track with his knowledge in acquiring pitching rather than the "throw spaghetti up against the wall and hope something sticks" philosophy. Maybe the Sox can finally do a better job of drafting starting pitching?

If nothing else, it's an interesting hire, hiring somebody with virtually no experience in the upper echelon of the front office hierarchy. Usually you take a chance with a guy who was number 2 on the totem pole, like a Levine or a Bloom, if you can't grab an experienced executive, but Breslow is well below the #2 spot, or was anyways. Doesn't mean it can't work. This will be interesting. Wonder what his philosophies are.

I do like that he knows what a major league clubhouse is like and knows some of the inside feel of what major leaguers deal with as opposed to strictly being a bean counter of some sort. Hopefully he combines the best of both worlds because I think too much of one view or the other isn't the best thing.

I like hearing that. Can't stand watching pitchers who cannot throw strikes and beat themselves.

Hopefully this doesn't become a point of friction but rather a strong indication that they've chosen a thoughtful and thorough leader who has a plan from the outset.

A reminder: Junichi Tazawa entered the inning to clean up the mess left by Breslow.
This was the most pivotal at bat in the 2013 title run.

Can't wait to see which move he makes first given there's much work to be done before even looking at the roster. I'm most keen to see who he tabs to replace Bush.

It was. Cabrera was injured and Fielder was so bad he could have been MVP of the Series for the Sox.

To Breslow's credit, not only did he have a strong 2013 season, but when Victorino put the Sox ahead in Game 7, Breslow responded the Tigers in order. My memory may be off, but I think he got the win in Game 7, but I'm not sure - I'd have to look it up. I know he pitched well against Tampa in the ALDS clincher as well.

But he struggled in the World Series and was never the same again.

Still, the memories of Breslow are all 2013 and pretty damn positive. He made for a good setup man (along with Tazawa) for Koji.

With Breslow in place, maybe his 2013 bullpen mate Andrew Bailey becomes pitching coach? Maybe Koji needs to be signed up to recruit Japanese stars, starting with Yamamoto....and I also have my eye on that young Japanese masher who smashed 55 homers for another time.

Certainly an interesting choice. Looking forward to seeing what he does with the role, certainly seems like he has the smarts for it.

Has he never received a promotion? Does longevity portend continued ascension or might one "reach their level"?