Kim Ng. Thad Levine. The Red Sox search is getting interesting
PHILADELPHIA - The Red Sox' search for a new head of baseball operations seems to be getting a lot more interesting.
While one prominent name appears to likely be thrown into the mix Tuesday morning, another intriguing candidate has surfaced.
As was first reported by the Miami Herald, Kim Ng has declined her side of the mutual option to remain as the general manager of the Miami Marlins. Ng released a statement to The Athletic regarding her decision, saying:
“Last week, Bruce (Sherman) and I discussed his plan to reshape the Baseball Operations department. In our discussions, it became apparent that we were not completely aligned on what that should look like and I felt it best to step away. I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Marlins family and its fans for my time in South Florida. This year was a great step forward for the organization, and I will miss working with Skip and his coaches as well as all of the dedicated staff in baseball operations and throughout the front office. They are a very talented group and I wish them great success in the future.”
The 54-year-old Ng would seemingly immediately be a top candidate to replace Chaim Bloom with the Red Sox, having re-built a Marlins team over the past three seasons that reached the postseason this year before being eliminated the Phillies.
Ng - who has worked in the White Sox, Yankees, Dodgers and Marlins organizations - has a solid reputation throughout baseball, with a track record of making gutsy trades during his time in Miami. It should also be noted she has a connection to current Red Sox manager Alex Cora, having served in the Los Angeles front office during Cora's time as a player with the Dodgers.
According to multiple sources, another candidate that has elicited mutual interest is current Twins general manager Thad Levine.
The 51-year-old Levine has worked in his current position with Minnesota under President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey since 2016, previously serving as the assistant general manager with the Rangers.
Levine was on the cusp of being hired as the chief decision-maker in Philadelphia after the 2020 season before bowing out for family reasons. It appears in the case of the Red Sox job, however, the executive would be open to such a move.
Industry sources have identified Levine as someone who is well-versed in utilizing information, but wouldn't be afraid to step outside the analytical models in order to execute targeted acquisitions.
Multiple outlets have identified Phillies general manager Sam Fuld as another candidate, while sources confirm another longtime general manager - who is currently not in the role of GM or POBO - has talked with the Red Sox.
One known candidate who has declined an interview is former Rangers POBO Jon Daniels, who turned down the opportunity for family reasons. Another potential target, Major League Baseball vice president of baseball operations Michael Hill, is also choosing to remain in his current role.