Red Sox Notes: GM Search, Toboni, Story, Bregman

"The Red Sox made clear nearly a month ago that they planned to hire a GM this offseason. At the time, Paul Toboni was an assistant GM for the club and immediately appeared to be the logical choice for the role among internal candidates and perhaps even the overall favorite. It didn't take long, however, for that option to come off the table. Toboni was hired by the Nationals to serve as their president of baseball operations, taking over as their top executive."

"According to The Boston Globe's Tim Healey, Toboni was not only the "heavy favorite" to serve as Craig Breslow's #2 in Boston, but the club now plans to "take a step a back" this offseason to evaluate what they want to do with the role now that he is no longer an option. That seems to leave the door cracked open for the possibility that the Red Sox will go without a GM serving under Breslow for a third consecutive season in 2026."

"Of course, that's hardly guaranteed and may not be the most prudent option. As Healey notes, Breslow called Toboni's departure "a big loss" for the organization and noted that he had a hand in all areas of player development in both the majors and minors. Those responsibilities will presumably need to be taken over by someone else, and while Boston's three remaining assistant GMs (Raquel Ferreira, Eddie Romero, and Mike Groopman) could share some of that load or a lower-level member of the staff could be promoted to fill Toboni's shoes, an external hire who could be brought in by the allure of that vacant GM job could perhaps kill two bi"

The Red Sox targeted a GM hire this offseason but lost their top internal candidate when Paul Toboni accepted the Nationals' president of baseball operations role. Toboni was widely viewed as the leading internal choice to serve under Craig Breslow and had influence across player development in the majors and minors. His exit prompted the organization to pause and reevaluate plans for the GM position. The club could choose to enter 2026 without a formal GM under Breslow, redistribute Toboni's responsibilities among assistant GMs and staff, or pursue an external hire attracted by the vacant role.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors