Replies to post #6961 on The Halfway House (HalfwayHouse)

[BullNBear52]

Boy Wonder or Boy Blunder?

Red Sox fans still don't know what to make of Theo Epstein, who became the youngest general manager in baseball history on Nov. 25, 2002.

In his first three months on the job, the only thing Epstein really has demonstrated is his inability to land a major free agent.

First, Epstein failed to pull the trigger on Cliff Floyd-for-Kevin Millwood deal. The Red Sox settled for draft picks when Floyd signed with the New York Mets.

Instead of signing Edgardo Alfonzo or Jeff Kent, Epstein traded for second baseman Todd Walker, now with his fourth team in as many seasons.

Then, as club president Larry Lucchino put it, the "Evil Empire" reared its ugly head. Epstein was outmaneuvered by the Yankees in pursuit of aces Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon. Contreras signed with New York and Colon went to Chicago in a three-way trade between the Expos, White Sox and Yankees.