INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner
and president Larry Lucchino are heading to the general managers' meetings to interview Washington's Jim Bowden as a potential replacement for departed GM Theo Epstein.
They'll also talk to Toronto assistant Tony LaCava, Atlanta assistant Dayton Moore, Los Angeles assistant Kim Ng and others, Peter Gammons reported. They will interview former Montreal and Baltimore GM Jim Beattie on Friday.
Cleveland assistant Chris Antonetti declined an opportunity to interview for the job.
Some in the ownership group hold out hope that Epstein can resolve his differences with Lucchino and return as the GM. Contrary to some reports, Lucchino has not rejected that idea, and wants Epstein back, Gammons reported.
Before going to California, Lucchino told The New York Times that Manny Ramirez wants the team to explore trade possibilities.
"He has made it clear that he would like us to consider a trade," Lucchino was quoted as saying in Wednesday's editions of the paper.
"He has asked us before, and it's only reasonable that we explore possibilities, particularly at this time of year when all types of trades are considered and kicked around," Lucchino told
the paper. "So it seems respectful of him, and it seems our job is
to consider these kinds of possibilities."
Lucchino and Werner are scheduled to interview Bowden on Wednesday, team spokesman Glenn Geffner said Tuesday night. Former Baltimore Orioles executive vice president Beattie will
interview for the Red Sox job Friday in Boston.
Bowden, Cincinnati's general manager from 1992-03, replaced Omar Minaya as GM of the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals after the
2004 season. Minaya left to become GM of the New York Mets.
Beattie became the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations in December 2002 and was replaced last month by his top
aide, Mike Flanagan.
Epstein helped Boston win the 2004 World Series, its first title since 1918. He was unable to agree to a new contract last week and left following the expiration of his deal on Oct. 31.
Also Tuesday, the Red Sox announced that Bill Lajoie, who resigned Oct. 31 in solidarity with Epstein, has returned to the club. The 71-year-old former Tigers GM, who was a special assistant to Epstein, was named special adviser in baseball operations.
Lucchino announced the move, and said Lajoie's role will be professional scouting and the evaluation of potential trade and free-agent acquisitions. He also will help in the search for a new general manager.
"Bill Lajoie has seen and done it all in more than a
half-century in the game," Lucchino said. "His experience and
judgment, his skills in talent evaluation, and the perspective he
brings from a lifetime in the game have been and will continue to
be tremendous assets to our organization."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.