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August 18, 2007
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein admitted he made a mistake.
After the Red Sox traded utility outfielder Wily Mo Pena, and cash considerations, to the Washington Nationals in exchange for a player to be named later yesterday afternoon, Epstein said he was wrong.
Pena was acquired by Boston from Cincinnati in exchange for pitcher and fan favorite Bronson Arroyo on March 20, 2006. Epstein was criticized publicly for the deal, and he said yesterday he made a mistake.
“It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to,” he said. “Certainly wasn’t a good trade in retrospect. From a pure talent standpoint in a vacuum, that can still be debated because Wily Mo certainly has the talent and in the right situation he can hit a lot of home runs. There’s still a good chance he blossoms as a hitter. Here the fit never materialized.
“Certainly there have been times in the last 18 months where we could have used a very legitimate pitcher, which Bronson Arroyo is. We have to look back and say that (trade) is probably one we would want back.”
Arroyo returned a phone call made by the Journal late last night in response Epstein's comments.
"I have a lot of respect for Theo," said Arroyo. "He's always been a straight shooter, and I appreciate that. To admit he made a mistake must have been tough to do. He has always treated me good."
When asked if he would want to play again in Boston someday, Arroyo said: "Of course. I hope I have10 years left and at some point maybe I can get back there."
Because of complexity of the rules at this time of the season, Epstein said he couldn’t reveal at this point who that player to be named is, but said the bench will be more functional going forward this season.
“We’re pleased with the way things turned out [yesterday],” said Epstein. “We ended up getting a player who we really like. We’re fairly happy with the resolution given the circumstances.”
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 1:52 AM | Permalink
ED VITA | August 18, 2007 8:37 AM link
TC | August 18, 2007 2:30 PM link
IT'S NOT THE ONLY MISTAKE THAT EPSTEIN HAS MADE
SINCE HE TOOK THE JOB. HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS TWENTY-TWENTY, BUT MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS IS
WHAT HE IS GETTING PAID FOR...................
PERHAPS SALARY SHOULD BE BASED ON THE PREVIOUS
SEASON'S PERFORMANCE............BOTH PLAYERS AS
WELL AS EXECUTIVES, COACHES, MANAGERS (TITO)