Matthew Fiore

Media Writing CM 105-02

Feature Story
Date Due: 10/20

Chaim Bloom Already Paying Off for Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are once again heading to the American League Championship Series after
defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in the divisional round. Through much adversity heading into and
during the season, the Sox have found their fire once again at the right time. The leading factor
towards this rejuvenation is Chief of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom.

Two years ago, the Red Sox hired Bloom from the Rays with one goal in mind, put a winning
team on the field without going over MLB’s luxury tax threshold. The Red Sox had been over
this limit for many years before, and ownership wanted to put an end to it after continually
having to pay these penalties almost every year.

To do this, Bloom was almost forced to deal off franchise player and perennial all-star Mookie
Betts. All seemed lost around the fan base as the future looked horrible for Boston’s baseball
team. “When they traded Mookie, I thought they wouldn't be able to contend for 4-5 plus years.
It was a sad time but we’re back already,” ecstatic Red Sox fan said.

Going back to last winter, the Red Sox have done a lot to get where they are standing now.
Bloom has been accredited to making many critical signings/ trades that mend to this quick
turnaround:

The Red Sox signed outfielder Hunter Renfroe last season after a terrible season with the Rays in
which he got cut from their roster. Signed to be a platoon player in the outfield, Renfroe took off
with the Sox. Renfroe has taken over as the starting right fielder while sporting a .259 batting
average, 31 homers, and 96 RBI’s. Bloom’s cash-in on Renfroe has paid dividends as he’s been
one of Boston’s most consistent forces throughout the season.

When manager Alex Cora was asked about Renfroe, he noted “The last two months, he’s been
playing All-Star-caliber baseball. The way he’s playing, people need to start recognizing him as
one of our best players. He’s been huge for us.”

Another addition that has been a force this season is relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock. One of the
crazier stories you’ll hear on the Red Sox came about from the social media platform Instagram.
Back in December when the Red Sox were prepared to select a minor-league player from another
club, a Red Sox scout found out about Whitlock when scrolling through Instagram. Pitching in
the Yankees minor leagues, the Sox decided to select him. Posting a 1.96 earned run average in
the regular season, Whitlock is now Boston’s most dangerous weapon coming out of the bullpen
this postseason.

“He’s so calm and composed. It feels like no situation is too big for him. When you see him
running out of the ‘pen and coming into the game, you get a huge sigh of relief.” Another Boston
fan added after watching Whitlock escape a huge jam in the critical point in game 3.

The last two players to mention have caught fire as of late and are currently two of Boston’s best
bats. Kiké Hernández and trade deadline addition Kyle Schwarber. The first and second hitters in
the Sox’s batting order have done plenty of damage in the playoffs thus far. Kiké, a long-time
Dodgers utilityman signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox and has taken over as the starting
center fielder. Hitting .450 in the playoffs, he was the Rays’ toughest out in the Divisional Series.

Meanwhile, Schwarber has been a huge bonus in the playoffs as well, hitting .313 with a homer
versus both the Yankees and Rays.

Bloom has done remarkably well in the calendar span turning the Sox from one of the worst
teams in the league to a World Series favorite. Now onto the American League Championship
against the Houston Astros, we’ll see if Bloom’s magic continues.