Archive for Teams

Free Lance Right-Hander Finds Gainful Employment

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The theme of free agency so far is returning to one’s origins. A day after Aaron Nola re-upped with the Phillies, Lance Lynn signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2008. Lynn’s deal will pay him $10 million in 2024, with a 2025 club option for $11 million that comes with a $1 million buyout, and $3 million in incentives. That brings the total guarantee to $11 million and the total potential value of the contract to $24 million.

Lynn won a World Series with St. Louis as a rookie in 2011, made his first All-Star team in 2012, and in total pitched six years and nearly 1,000 innings with the club before leaving as a free agent after the 2017 season.

Much has happened since then. Read the rest of this entry »


Mariners Scoop Up Luis Urías For Another Fresh Start

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time this calendar year, Luis Urías has been traded in a one-for-one swap for a right-handed pitcher from the 2019 draft class. This time, it’s the Mariners hoping to help the former top prospect turn things around and rediscover the skills that made him an above-average contributor in 2021 and ’22. In exchange, they’re sending 26-year-old Isaiah Campbell to the Red Sox. The righty reliever made 27 appearances for Seattle this past season.

Urías was a highly-touted prospect in the Padres organization in the mid-2010s, but after a slow start to his major league career (an 80 wRC+ and 10 errors in 83 games), San Diego shipped him off to Milwaukee for a change of scenery in November 2019, picking up Trent Grisham in the process. It was with the Brewers that Urías finally broke out; after another poor performance in 2020, he posted a 111 wRC+ and 4.4 WAR across 269 games in 2021 and ‘22. Thus, even with Willy Adames locked in at shortstop, middle infield prospect Brice Turang knocking on the big league door, and veteran third baseman Brian Anderson joining the fray in free agency, Urías looked like a key piece of the team’s future. His glove didn’t stand out at any one position, but he could hold his own at second, third, and short, allowing the Brewers to plug him in all around the infield.

Urías was Milwaukee’s Opening Day third baseman in 2023, but unfortunately, a hamstring injury kept him off the field for all of April and May. He returned to a more crowded infield picture in June: Owen Miller had been red-hot over the past month, Andruw Monasterio was hitting well in his first week of big league action, and Anderson still boasted a 102 wRC+ on the season despite having slowed down after a strong start. Moreover, Turang was struggling but still needed regular playing time if the Brewers were going to keep him in the majors, and Adames was nearing his return from a short stint on the 10-day IL. Urías stumbled that month, going just 8-for-51 with three extra-base hits, and the Brewers – who, at that time, were still in a close division race – had little patience for his struggles. He was optioned at the end of the month in favor of Turang, who was hitting well at Triple-A after a brief demotion of his own.

Ultimately, that would mark the end of the road for Urías in Milwaukee. Seemingly lacking optimism that he could return to form at the big league level, the Brewers flipped him to the Red Sox at the deadline in exchange for 22-year-old
pitching prospect Bradley Blalock. Things got better in Boston, as one could’ve expected. Not only was Urías further removed from his hamstring injury, but his .179 BABIP with the Brewers was bound to improve. He never got back to his peak from 2021 to ‘22, but he posted a 98 wRC+ with the Red Sox over the final two months of the season.

With that in mind, it’s somewhat surprising to see Boston give up on Urías so quickly. After his poor performance in 2023, he isn’t going to earn a sizable raise in arbitration; the projections at MLB Trade Rumors suggests he’ll earn the exact same $4.7 million salary in 2024. Even if he never reaches his full potential, a versatile infielder who can provide league-average production with the bat is a valuable player to have on the roster. Consider Whit Merrifield and Amed Rosario, whom our contract crowdsourcing estimates have earning two-year deals worth $16 million and $18 million, respectively. To that end, it’s not as if the Red Sox are overflowing with infield talent, nor is the free agent market. Rafael Devers has third base on lock, and Trevor Story should be the starting shortstop, but second base remains a question mark. Boston has internal options, but none with the experience or high ceiling of Urías.

It’s certainly possible the Red Sox are planning to pursue Rosario, Merrifield, or Tim Anderson, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has already spoken about the internal options, and it looks like Enmanuel Valdez is likely to be the starting second baseman on Opening Day. Valdez hit for a 102 wRC+ in 49 games last season, playing second base and a sprinkle of shortstop, and presumably, the Sox think they can get similar production to Urías at a pre-arbitration salary. Veteran utilityman Pablo Reyes (another former Brewer) and speedy shortstop prospect David Hamilton figure to get some reps at the keystone as well, especially the right-handed Reyes, who could serve as the short side of a platoon with the lefty-batting Valdez.

If the Red Sox have faith in Valdez (or a plan to sign an upgrade), this isn’t a bad move. After all, while Urías is only a year removed from a 110 wRC+, there are reasons to be concerned about his bat. His best skill is his plate discipline; from 2021-22, he posted a walk rate 23% higher than league average and a strikeout rate 9% lower than the average hitter. His 0.53 walk-to-strikeout ratio ranked among the top 20 qualified hitters in the National League. Strangely enough, his 11.9% walk rate in 2023 was actually a career high, but it’s difficult to imagine that the way he got there was sustainable. While Urías swung significantly less often in 2023, he was far more likely to swing at pitches outside the strike zone. As a result, he posted a career-high called strike rate and a career-high whiff rate. By and large, hitters should keep the bat on their shoulders more often, but if a hitter is going to be selective, he has to be selective in the right way. Moreover, his slightly above-average power fell off too, and even if you want to blame it all on his injury (he hit the ball harder as the year went on), Urías has developed something of a reputation as an injury-prone player. Over the last two years, he has gone on the IL with strains to his hamstring, calf, and quad.

What’s more, it’s not as if the Red Sox gave up Urías for nothing. Seattle has developed a stable of talented pitchers in recent years, and Campbell was only expendable because the Mariners are so confident in their pitching depth. Indeed, Campbell, the first big league player born in Portugal since Frank Thompson of the original Washington Nationals, put up promising numbers in 2023, pitching well enough at Double-A to earn the call to join one of baseball’s best bullpens in July. Although his career got off to a slow start due to the lost 2020 season and an elbow surgery in 2021, the righty quickly established himself as a legitimate big league bullpen arm after pitching to a 1.57 ERA and 3.04 FIP over the last two minor league seasons. His pitches are a little difficult to classify; what Pitch Info calls his slider, Baseball Savant calls a sweeper, and what Baseball Savant calls a slider, Pitch Info calls a cutter. Regardless of what you call it, however, his cutter/slider is a true weapon. He threw it about 38% of the time in 2023, holding big league batters to a .139 wOBA and .217 xwOBA. The pitch modeling systems agree that it’s a plus pitch, and combined with his high-spinning four-seam fastball, which sits 95 and tops out at 97.4 mph, Campbell has what it takes to hold down a spot in Boston’s bullpen. The Red Sox have some solid arms at the back end of their ‘pen, but they need depth, and this move helps to accomplish that goal.

As for the Mariners, they certainly didn’t need Urías – they already have a pair of right-handed utility infielders in José Caballero and Dylan Moore – but it’s clear that Seattle likes versatility and reclamation projects. Their 40-man roster already features several utility men, including Caballero, Moore, and Sam Haggerty, and Jerry Dipoto is no stranger to shopping for bounce-back candidates. Several players to get meaningful playing time in recent years have been in this middling bat/versatile glove mold, including Abraham Toro and Josh Rojas, who is penciled in for starting second base duty in 2024.

Those names might not inspire a ton of confidence, but still, the appeal of a player like Urías is clear. Besides, as the Mariners discovered this season, the safe choice isn’t always so safe – just look at how the Kolten Wong trade worked out. With that in mind, it’s no surprise Dipoto went in the opposite direction this time around. In fact, this could work out quite well for the Mariners, as long as they treat it like the gamble it is. Evidently, the Red Sox weren’t willing to risk a mere $5 million on Urías, and the Mariners could reap the rewards of spending a little extra cash to take him on. Besides, even if Urías isn’t anything more than a league-average bat and the weak side of a second base platoon, he isn’t a bad pickup, given the dearth of middle infield options on the free agent market.

That said, it’s worth stressing that while this might be a productive gamble, it’s certainly not the offensive upgrade the Mariners need to compete with the Astros and Rangers in the AL West. It remains to be seen if this trade is a sign of the Mariners flexing some financial muscle by scooping up a player another team didn’t want to pay or if it indicates that Dipoto plans to spend another offseason shopping in the bargain bin instead of pursuing more expensive options. Seattle could really benefit from adding a corner outfield/DH bat in free agency, and they have the payroll space to do so (they’re about $35 million below last year’s luxury tax payroll), but this front office has never spent big on a free agent position player before.

The Mariners are taking on the uncertainty in this trade, but ultimately, it’s the Red Sox who are taking a bigger risk. Boston, a team with no clear answer at second base, gave up a young, cost-controlled infielder who was a two-plus win player as recently as 2022. If Urías bounces back with the Mariners, Breslow could end up looking foolish in his very first trade as CBO.

Over the past 10 years, Urías has gone from unheralded international signing, to top prospect, to big league bust, to breakout hitter, to reclamation project. This is already the third time he’s been traded in his big league career. With that in mind, it can be hard to remember that he’s still young; Urías won’t turn 27 until next June. Indeed, he’s younger than NL Rookie of the Year finalist James Outman. In other words, he still has time on his side. His days as a top prospect are far behind him, but his top prospect potential hasn’t disappeared, and the Mariners will hope to help him reach that ceiling in 2024.


Aaron Nola Sensibly Stays in Philly

Aaron Nola
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Admit it: you had a feeling it might go this way. Aaron Nola is headed back to Philadelphia. After a short trip to free agency, he re-signed with the Phillies for seven years and $172 million, as USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale first reported. He’s the first domino to fall this offseason, but this was hardly a shocking outcome. The move makes a lot of sense for both team and player, which helps explain why it came to pass so swiftly.

Let’s start with the team side of things. The Phillies are bona fide World Series contenders, and they’re built to win right this minute. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto are all at or near the peak of their careers. Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos are in the same boat. The Philly offense is so good right now that it would be borderline criminal not to contend, and that’s clearly been the team’s plan. They made the World Series in 2022, then went out and added Turner in the offseason to bolster their squad.

If they didn’t act this offseason, they’d be moving in the wrong direction. The Phillies’ recent regular seasons may have been built around an excellent offense, but their playoff plan has been all about pitching. Nola and Zack Wheeler have each been October workhorses; taking advantage of off days, they’ve started 19 of the team’s 30 playoff games in the last two years. Giving the ball to elite starters that frequently takes pressure off both the rest of the rotation and the bullpen, the team’s two great weaknesses. Read the rest of this entry »


Early Offseason Marginal Pitching Transactions, Part 1

Nick Anderson
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency has been ongoing for two weeks now, but for the most part, the big dominoes are yet to fall. While teams certainly have their sights set on the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Cody Bellinger, the early offseason has been defined by smaller moves and signings made around the non-tender and Rule 5 protection deadlines.

The players being exchanged aren’t the most notable members of their respective rosters, yet they’ll still impact the quality of their teams in the upcoming season. We’ll be knocking out many of the more intriguing pitchers who have changed hands in this two-part series. Read the rest of this entry »


Why Kyle Wright Got Traded, and Brandon Woodruff Got Non-Tendered

Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

The non-tender deadline isn’t usually an event that screams star power. The players involved are pre-free agency, making them cheap and controllable — qualities that appeal mightily to big league GMs. So if there’s even a question about whether a player is worth retaining or trading, as opposed to cutting loose, that usually means the player is neither good nor particularly promising.

All that goes out the window, apparently, when it comes to a pitcher who just underwent shoulder surgery. The Atlanta Braves, who went all Marie Kondo on their 40-man roster as the weekend approached, sent Kyle Wright to the Royals in exchange for Jackson Kowar. The same day, the Milwaukee Brewers did them one better and flat-out non-tendered two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff. Read the rest of this entry »


In the First Big Signing of the Offseason, the Phillies Bring Back Aaron Nola

Joe Rondone/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK

Philly baseball fans didn’t even have to wait until the turkeys were in the oven for the first major Phillies news of the offseason, as Bob Nightengale and Jeff Passan reported Sunday that the team has brought back Aaron Nola on a seven year, $172 million contract that will keep their no. 2 starter in town until the end of the 2030 season. Read the rest of this entry »


Sunday Notes: Mike Chernoff Addresses Cleveland’s Philosophy

My September 10 Sunday Notes column included Chris Antonetti addressing his team’s 2023 offensive struggles. According to Cleveland’s President of Baseball Operations, “The problem isn’t power, the problem is that we need to score more runs.” While I don’t necessarily disagree with the exec’s opinion, it is nonetheless true that the Guardians hit the fewest home runs of any team and finished fourth from the bottom in runs scored. Moreover, they finished 76-86 after going 92-70 in 2022.

I revisited the issue, at least in part, during this month’s GM meetings. I asked Antonetti’s second in command, Mike Chernoff, if the club needs to reassess some of its philosophies going forward.

“If you rewind the clock one year, we felt like we massively outperformed industry expectations,” Cleveland’s General Manager told me “We won 92 games with the youngest team in baseball. This year, we again had the youngest team in baseball. We hit a few unfortunate and untimely injuries with some of our starting pitching, but at the same time we transitioned three young starters in [Gavin] Williams, [Tanner] Bibee, and [Logan] Allen to the major-league team. We just didn’t perform as well offensively. So we don’t feel like wholesale changes are necessary. We feel like we have a really strong foundation off of which to continue building, but we also don’t have a lot of room for error as a small-market team.”

Industry expectations are one thing, in-house projection systems are another. With that in mind, I asked Chernoff if the 2022 Guardians outperformed their own projections, and if the 2023 club underperformed them. Read the rest of this entry »


In Bummer Move, Braves Land Lefty Reliever for Pile of Ex-Prospects

Aaron Bummer
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Late Thursday night, after the final horn had sounded on the last West Coast NHL game, new White Sox general manager Chris Getz consummated his first trade in his new role, sending sinker-balling lefty reliever Aaron Bummer to Atlanta for a five-player variety pack of “second division” players and reclamation projects. The new White Sox are headlined by 26-year-old 2019 All-Star righty Michael Soroka, 28-year-old infielder Nicky Lopez, and 25-year-old lefty starter Jared Shuster, all of whom can be reasonably expected to impact the 2024 squad. Chicago also acquired 25-year-old infielder Braden Shewmake, who is also on the 40-man roster, and 2023 undrafted free agent starter Riley Gowens, who is more of a developmental project from the University of Illinois. Read the rest of this entry »


2024 ZiPS Projections: Tampa Bay Rays

For the 20th consecutive season, the ZiPS projection system is unleashing a full set of prognostications. For more information on the ZiPS projections, please consult this year’s introduction and MLB’s glossary entry. The team order is selected by lot, and the next team up is the Tampa Bay Rays.

Batters

With the sudden collapse of the Cardinals, the Rays are arguably the holders of the crown in the solid-but-not-spectacular department. With one problematic exception, just looking at the depth chart, you see a whole bunch of twos and threes but no obvious MVP candidates, unless Yandy Díaz finds yet another extra gear in him. But there’s also almost nowhere on the diamond where you expect a huge collapse if forced to find an emergency fill-in. Manuel Margot can capably take any outfield job handily, and elsewhere, Curtis Mead, Vidal Bruján, Junior Caminero, and Jonathan Aranda can cover most anything needed outside of catcher. Read the rest of this entry »


Job Posting: Boston Red Sox – Multiple Openings

Direct Links (Please see full job postings below):

Affiliate Development Coach
Assistant Athletic Training Coordinator/Latin American ATC Coordinator
DR Academy Athletic Trainer
Minor League Affiliate Dietitian
Nutrition Coordinator
Mental Performance Coordinator
Affiliate Development Coach – Dominican Republic Academy
International Scouting & Player Development Assistant
Scouting Assistant – Dominican Republic


Affiliate Development Coach

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Affiliate Development Coach will work within the Player Development department to ensure objective information is utilized to advance development goals of minor league players at the assigned affiliate. The position will work closely with Affiliate Staff, Roving Coordinators, and Baseball Analytics to help inform decision making related to player plan goals. The role will have a dual-reporting relationship with the Assistant Director, Player Development and Coordinator, Baseball Development, and will help oversee video associatesat the assigned affiliate. The ideal candidate is inquisitive, data-driven, open-minded, and possesses strong interpersonal skills.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
The Player Development department is dedicated to fostering the comprehensive growth of our minor league players. Our mission is to excel in optimizing talent and skill development while aligning with player and team objectives. Our approach involves the creation of world class player programs and efficiently scaling them across our player pool. Collaborating closely with baseball analytics, performance, and medical, we establish effective frameworks for experimentation and learning. Additionally, we work closely with Amateur Scouting, International Scouting, and Pro Scouting to ensure seamless player transitions into the Red Sox organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Aid in the implementation of new technology to collect information and improve player performance.
  • Assist with the integration of information from the Baseball Analytics department.
  • Ensure that on-field coordinators, coaches, andBaseball Analytics are aligned with goals for each individual player.
  • Provide daily communication and periodic feedback reports to players, coaches, coordinators, and front office.
  • Perform important quality control functions related to both data recorded and information delivered to players and staff members.
  • Assist affiliate staff and coordinators with daily on-field practice and/or indoor training.
  • Maintain, record, and report progress on individual player goals.
  • Additional duties or projects assigned by upper management (Directors, VP’s, etc). 

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Assistant Athletic Training Coordinator/Latin American ATC Coordinator

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Assistant ATC Coordinator/Latin American ATC Coordinator will serve in a leadership role in the Boston Red Sox Minor League Medical Department and is primarily responsible for medical operations and oversight at the Red Sox Dominican Republic Academy with support to the Minor League Medical operation in Fort Myers, FL.

The primary responsibility includes working collaboratively with the on-field coaches/coordinators, strength & conditioning staff, nutrition, sport science, biomechanics, etc. to optimize for performance and development through ensuring the health and safety of the Red Sox Minor League player pool. The role will directly report to the Minor League Athletic Training Coordinator with oversight from the Director, Player Development and the Director, Sport Medicine Services.

As the Red Sox continue to build a team capable of being the standard in player AND Staff development, we are looking for candidates who are organized, inquisitive, intellectually curious, data-driven, and open minded. Due to the nature of the role the candidate must also possess strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork/leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Oversee the DR Academy Medical Staff with ultimate responsibility of all players at the Academy.
  • Oversight of the Florida Complex League (FCL) medical staff and provide support in Fort Myers as needed.
  • Assisting the Rehab Coordinator with long-term rehabilitations.
  • Frequent travel to the DR Academy and minor league affiliate locations to assist in coverage and oversight of minor league players.
  • Coordinate the process for local physician examinations and follow-ups for FCL/Academy players (other org players as needed) along with Complex and Academy staff.
  • Communicate consistently with appropriate leadership staff regarding the status of DSL players.
  • Review medical profiles for potential international players.
  • Daily input of medical data into internal tracking platforms.
  • Assist the Director, Player Development and Minor League ATC Coordinator with ATC Staffing decisions including evaluations and performance reviews.
  • Serve as a resource for staff development for those under their charge.

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • NATA Board Certified and in good standing.
  • Eligible and in good standing for Florida State Licensure
  • CPR/AED Certified and First Aid Certified
  • Fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

LOCATION/TRAVEL:

  • Role is based out of Fort Myers and is expected to make routine trips to the DR Academy including, but not limited to, DSL Early Report/Spring Training/Regular Season, International Signing Period, Dominican Instructional League, and Winter Programs.
  • Representation at any events and meetings deemed appropriate by the Club.  Additional travel as assigned by leadership.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


DR Academy Athletic Trainer

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The DR Academy Trainer will serve on the medical staff at the Red Sox DR Academy in the Dominican Republic. The role is primarily responsible for daily oversight during all phases of the Academy’s yearly operation. This includes pre-season programs, the DSL season, fall programs, and off-season check-ins.

The function of the DR Medical Staff includes working collaboratively with the on-field coaches/coordinators, strength & conditioning staff, nutrition, sport science, biomechanics, etc. to optimize for performance and development through ensuring the health and safety of the Red Sox Minor League player pool. The role will directly report to the Latin American Athletic Training Coordinator with oversight from the Minor League Athletic Training Coordinator and the Director, Sport Medicine Services.

As the Red Sox continue to build a team capable of being the standard in player AND Staff development, we are looking for candidates who are organized, inquisitive, intellectually curious, data-driven, and open minded. Due to the nature of the role the candidate must also possess strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork/leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve the DR Academy medical operations which align with the organization and department’s needs under the direction of the Latin American Athletic Training Coordinator.  This includes various administrative duties and reporting procedures.
  • Provide preventative care, evaluate, treat, and short-term rehabilitative care to all players at the DR Academy.
  • Proper documentation within the MLB EMR system.
  • Communicate consistently with appropriate leadership staff regarding the status of DSL players.
  • Facilitate the scheduling and execution of athlete monitoring assessments and data collection under the direction of Strength & Conditioning, Health & Performance, Sport Science, and On-Field Staff.

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Certified ATC.
  • Eligible for state athletic training licensure in Florida.
  • Experience in baseball and additional certifications is preferred.
  • English and Spanish fluency preferred.

LOCATION/TRAVEL:

  • Role is primarily based out of the DR Academy in San Antonio de Guerra, DR and will be expected to spend time in Fort Myers during Spring Training and other events communicated by the club.
  • Representation at any events and meetings deemed appropriate by the Club.  Additional travel as assigned by leadership.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Minor League Affiliate Dietitian

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Minor League Affiliate Dietitian will serve as a member of the Sport Performance team during Minor League Spring Training in Fort Myers, FL while also serving their assigned affiliates in the Affiliate Dietitian role throughout the affiliate season. The role is primarily responsible for providing on-site nutrition support –including the delivery of meals, developing and providing nutrition education, and creating player-specific nutritional plans.

Additionally, with a focus on cross-departmental collaboration, the Affiliate Dietitian will ensure execution of programming and support that is part of a comprehensive player plan to optimize for athletic performance, while ensuring the health and safety of the Red Sox Minor League player pool. The role will directly report to the Minor League Nutrition Coordinator.

As the Red Sox continue to build a team capable of being the standard in player and staff development, we are looking for candidates who are organized with uncompromising attention to detail, inquisitive, intellectually curious, data-driven, and open minded. Due to the nature of the role, the candidate must also possess strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork/leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Oversee all aspects of catering/ meal service for the affiliate – coordinate the development of menus, communicate expectations (e.g., food variety, quantity, and quality) with food service suppliers and/or caterers, and ensure food safety protocols are followed.
  • Manage fueling and hydration stations – including ordering snacks and supplements, providing appropriate education, and ensuring any nutrition initiatives are in compliance with MLB policies. 
  • Assess and analyze player dietary practices – including player testing and monitoring. 
  • Develop individualized goals and nutrition and maintain records of player interactions and test results.
  • Assist in the development of educational materials to support a structured, progressive educational program that grows with the athletes as they move through the minor league system.
  • Serve as a reliable food and nutrition resource for athletes and staff, ensuring all content provided is in alignment with evidence-based research and the Boston Red Sox’s nutritional philosophy.
  • Assist the Minor League Dietetics Coordinator in managing the budget for the team including organizing, planning, forecasting, purchasing, and tracking expenses.

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Exercise Science, or a related field.
  • Certified as a Registered Dietitian. 
  • Working toward CSSD credential (Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) preferred.
  • First Aid/CPR is required.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification will be required prior to the start of the position.
  • Experience working as a dietitian in a multi-disciplinary performance team is preferred.
  • Baseball or softball work experience is preferred.
  • Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required.

LOCATION/TRAVEL:

  • Attendance and participation at Spring Training in Fort Myers and ability to report to assigned affiliate are required.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Nutrition Coordinator

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Nutrition Coordinator is primarily responsible for the design, implementation, and execution of nutrition programming and support across the Red Sox Player Development system. Leadership oversight will include the Minor League Dietetics Staff and the position will also interface closely with the Major League Dietitian and Nutrition Staff.

Additionally, with a focus on cross-departmental collaboration, the Nutrition Coordinator will ensure that the programming and support is part of a comprehensive player plan to optimize for athletic performance, while ensuring the health and safety of the Red Sox Minor League player pool. This will include working closely with Minor League coordinators/coaches/staff, and PD leadership.

As the Red Sox continue to build a team capable of being THE standard in player AND staff development, we are looking for candidates who are organized with uncompromising attention to detail, inquisitive, intellectually curious, data-driven, and open minded. Due to the nature of the role, the candidate must also possess strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork/leadership skills.

ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Set the vision and strategy for the Minor League Nutrition team, including building an infrastructure to collect and track data related to performance and health, and to design and deliver timely interventions.
  • Collaborate across departments to provide interdisciplinary service in support of player performance while ensuring the health and safety of the players.
  • Collaborate with the Major League Head Dietitian to develop and promote a consistent, evidence-based nutrition philosophy throughout the Red Sox organization.
  • Manage seasonal affiliate dietetics assistants and the Complex Dietitian who oversees nutrition at the Fort Myers Complex and DR Academy.
  • Stay abreast of the latest nutrition research and serve as a resource for players and staff.  Develop and maintain a professional network to support your work in baseball.
  • Build and execute staff development, evaluation, and education systems for the staff under their charge.  This includes in-season and off-season development systems for staff growth, with an expectation of building relationships while investing in the development of their staff by providing clear, candid, and actionable feedback.
  • Oversee the development of a comprehensive Red Sox Nutrition Educational Plan and develop materials to increase player nutritional knowledge and skills throughout the Red Sox organization.
  • Oversee and manage the Red Sox Minor League Nutrition budget.
  • In conjunction with the Complex Dietitian, provide hands on nutrition support to all programs throughout the year, including during the competitive season.

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s or PhD in Nutrition, Exercise Science, or another related academic field of study. 
  • Certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN).
  • Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) is preferred.
  • State licensure for Florida (or required upon hire).
  • At least three (3) years of hands-on experience of working as a dietitian. 
  • Experience working with a high-performance sport organization is preferred.
  • Experience as a RD preceptor/mentor is preferred.
  • Experience using technology, tools, and techniques related to sport nutrition.
  • First Aid and CPR certifications.
  • Baseball or softball experience preferred.
  • Ability to speak Spanish is preferred.

TRAVEL:

  • This is a full-time position and will be based at the Boston Red Spring Training Facility, JetBlue Park, in Ft. Myers, FL.  It will require travel to each of the Red Sox minor league affiliates throughout the year along with occasional trips to Boston.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Mental Performance Coordinator

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
Behavioral Health (BH) is a performance enhancement, assessment, and clinical service for players and staff in the Red Sox major and minor league organization. The BH service is provided by a team of graduate level mental skills coaches, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists that fall under the umbrella of sports medicine. There are three main domains of Behavioral Health: Performance Enhancement, Assessment, and Clinical.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
Mental Performance Coordinator (MPC) will serve as a member of the mental performance team during Minor League Spring Training and throughout the season at the assigned affiliate(s). The MPC will provide dedicated care to the assigned player groups and/or affiliate(s) and will be involved in collaboratively supporting the care for players and staff across the system. Additionally, with a focus on cross-departmental collaboration, the MPC will ensure execution of programming and support that is part of a comprehensive player plan to optimize athletic performance, while ensuring the health and safety of the Red Sox Minor League player pool. The role will directly report to the Director, Player Development and the Director, Behavioral Health. As the Red Sox continue to build a team capable of being the standard in player and staff development, we are looking for candidates who are organized with uncompromising attention to detail, inquisitive, intellectually curious, data-driven, and open-minded. Due to the nature of the role, the candidate must also possess strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork/leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop strong relationships with players and conduct ongoing one-on-one mental performance sessions that support organizationally established performance goals.
  • Work collaboratively with coaches to establish appropriate mental performance goals tied to on-field outcomes and apply mental performance exercises as part of physical training and baseball activities. 
  • Execute Red Sox mental health and performance-related player and staff educational programs designed to enhance leadership, communication, and performance enhancement.
  • Integrate personality and cognitive assessments into program development plans to better understand and impact players.
  • Participate in special projects related to departmental enhancement by utilizing research, curriculum-building, objective feedback loops, and other opportunities related to mental health and performance.
  • Work collaboratively with Behavioral Health Director, Player Development Director, mental performance staff and affiliate coaches on relevant player and staff issues, including regular scheduled and ad-hoc communication and reporting.
  • Maintain detailed mental performance and mental health documentation and record keeping. 

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master level sport psychology (or similar) degree is strongly preferred.
  • Coaching or clinical experience in an elite or professional sport environment preferred.
  • Certified Mental Performance Coach (CMPC) certification preferred.
  • Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
  • Attendance and participation in Spring Training, off-season programs, and assigned affiliate responsibilities are required.  Travel to spring training and off-season programs throughout the year.  Significant travel to affiliate(s) during regular season. 

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Affiliate Development Coach – Dominican Republic Academy

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
International Scouting

The Boston Red Sox International Scouting Department is committed to identifying the most talented amateur and professional prospects globally and integrating them into our player development system. We empower our staff to grow as individuals while we strive as a team to be at the forefront of the industry’s best practices in relation to evaluation, data analysis, and continuing education efforts.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Boston Red Sox Dominican Republic Affiliate Development Coach is a core part of our International Operations Department. In this role, you will assist in all aspects of data collecting at our Dominican Academy. This includes Trackman, Rapsodo, Video, and other aspects of our sport science operation. You will also serve as a key alignment point between Red Sox coaching staff and academy players, ensuring that each data point is interpreted and implemented correctly. This person will a key cog in the ground-level day-to-day operations of our academy and assist in scouting operations as needed. The position allows for interactions with players, coaches, coordinators, scouts, and directors. This position is an ideal entry point to anyone interested in a future in scouting, player development, or international operations and is a highly valued position within the Boston Red Sox.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Aid in the implementation of new technology to collect information and improve player performance.
  • Assist with the integration of information from the Baseball Analytics and Sports Science departments.
  • Ensure that on-field coordinators, coaches, Baseball Analytics, and Sports Science are aligned with their goals for each individual player.
  • Provide daily communication and periodic feedback reports to players, coaches, coordinators, and front office.
  • Perform important quality control functions related to both data recorded and information delivered to players and staff members.
  • Assist affiliate staff and coordinators with daily on-field practice and/or indoor training.
  • Additional duties or projects assigned by upper management (Directors, VP’s, etc). 

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Applicants are expected to fulfill the duration of the position
  • High level of interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with wide range of departments, seniority levels and personalities.
  • Video, coaching, playing, scouting, baseball technology experience preferred.
  • Prior baseball experience and bilingual are a plus but not required.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


International Scouting & Player Development Assistant

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
International Scouting

The Boston Red Sox International Scouting Department is committed to identifying the most talented amateur and professional prospects globally and integrating them into our player development system. We empower our staff to grow as individuals while we strive as a team to be at the forefront of the industry’s best practices in relation to evaluation, data analysis, and continuing education efforts.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Boston Red Sox Dominican Republic Scouting & Player Development Assistant position is an entry level role providing access to the two core aspects of our International Operations Department. In this role, you will provide a core administrative role in the day-to-day workings at our Dominican Republic Academy. The daily functions of this role will vary and include Roster collation, data collection, special projects, assisting in the setup of baseball technology, and more. This person must be ready to serve a wide variety of roles simultaneously in a fast-paced work environment. The position allows for interactions with players, coaches, coordinators, scouts, and directors. This position is an ideal entry point to anyone interested in a future in scouting, player development, or international operations and is a highly valued position within the Boston Red Sox.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Aid in the implementation of new technology to collect information and improve player performance.
  • Perform administrative functions (Rosters, Lineups, data collation) as assigned.
  • Assist on-field scouts, coordinators, coaches, Baseball Analytics, and Sports Science with administrative functions.
  • Send out collected data, rosters, and other assigned research projects to supervisors as assigned.
  • Assist in the setup of complex technology and data collection (Trackman, video, Rapsodo)
  • Additional duties or projects assigned by upper management (Directors, VP’s, etc). 

CHARACTERISTICS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Applicants are expected to fulfill the duration of the position.
  • High level of interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with wide range of departments, seniority levels and personalities.
  • Microsoft Office, video, coaching, playing, scouting, and baseball technology experience preferred.
  • Prior baseball experience and bilingual are a plus but not required.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Scouting Assistant – Dominican Republic

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
International Scouting

The Boston Red Sox International Scouting Department is committed to identifying the most talented amateur and professional prospects globally and integrating them into our player development system. We empower our staff to grow as individuals while we strive as a team to be at the forefront of the industry’s best practices in relation to evaluation, data analysis, and continuing education efforts.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Boston Red Sox International Scouting Assistant is an exciting entry-level position. It provides the opportunity to develop an intimate knowledge of baseball technology and scouting technique, collecting data and interacting with Area Scouts, Crosscheckers, and Directors. In this role, this person will spend most of their time collecting video, assist in physical testing of prospects, and potentially setting up Rapsodo and Trackman and collecting key data. The Assistant will also have the opportunity to learn about player evaluation at the ground level and gain valuable experience by seeing a large volume of players. The position is a core step into Area Scouting or Player Development and this person will be afforded every opportunity to develop professionally to build a foundation for a bright future with the Red Sox. This role is an invaluable part of our goal of building the most impactful International Scouting staff in the industry.

Video/Technology Responsibilities:

  • Setup and record data via portable Trackman unit or other baseball systems. Upload data and collect into reports for Immediate Supervisors as well as Baseball Systems department.
  • Provide updates to supervisors on standout players in the Dominican Republic.
  • Assist appropriate staff in Physical Assessments of players where needed.
  • Develop a working knowledge of emerging/new technologies as well as how to apply to your role in the future.
  • Observe best practices amongst similar roles around the industry and provide feedback on how role can improve.

Other Responsibilities:

  • Submit expenses in a timely manner per the policies set-forth by the Boston Red Sox.
  • Be cognizant of International Scouting policies as dictated by MLB, make sure you are compliant with rules set forth by MLB and the Boston Red Sox.
  • Help in coordination of Red Sox tryouts as needed.
  • Submit reports into Red Sox system as assigned by supervisors.
  • Be available to work on weekends, nights, and on multiple-day trips as needed.

Reporting Responsibilities:

  • Submit reports on data collected.
  • Maintain a checklist on players to track video and data collected as well as video and data needed.
  • Participate in any professional development exercises as assigned by supervisors.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

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