The Red Sox have hired former Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski as their new president of baseball operations.
In addition, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said he will not continue in his position and will leave the club after helping Dombrowski make the transition to his new job.
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Boston announced the hiring during its game Tuesday night against the Indians.
Official announcement of Dombrowski hiring tomorrow. He said he wanted Cherington to stay as GM; Ben told him no this afternoon
— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) August 19, 2015
Dombrowski was John Henry's GM with Marlins 1998-2001. They have stayed in touch since. Henry reached out to DD after he was let go by Det
— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) August 19, 2015
“I have known Dave very well for a long time," Red Sox principal owner John Henry said in a statement, via NESN.com. "Tom (Werner) and I have no doubts that Dave is the right person to strengthen our baseball operations group going forward. He is one of the most highly regarded executives in all of baseball, and had options to go with other clubs. We feel very fortunate that he wanted to come to Boston, and wanted to further his career — now with the Red Sox — as one of the great architects of winning baseball clubs.”
Dombrowski, 59, was fired from the Tigers on Aug. 4 after 13 years with the franchise.
“I want to thank John and Tom for this opportunity," he said in the announcement. "Although I did have other potential options within baseball, there was no option that stood out as clearly as the chance to come to Boston and win with the Red Sox. Boston is a baseball city like no other and its history and traditions are unique in our game. I expressed to John and Tom that Boston would be my absolute top choice and am honored to have the chance to serve Red Sox Nation."
Dombrowski told reporters (including ESPN.com's Gordon Edes) he likely will hire a GM to replace Cherington. Early speculation (USA Today's Bob Nightengale) is focusing on former Orioles and Braves general manager Frank Wren, who worked with Dombrowski in the Expos and Marlins organizations.
Dombrowski was named Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year in 2011 along with Doug Melvin. He came to Detroit in 2002 and helped turn the franchise into a contender in the American League.
Cherington joined the Red Sox organization in 1999 as a scout and moved his way up the executive ranks until becoming general manager after the 2011 season.
Boston also recently hired former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto to an interim front-office position.