Source: Craig Breslow to lead Red Sox's baseball operations

Craig Breslow will be the new head of baseball operations for theBoston Red Sox, with the former big league reliever accepting the team's offer on Tuesday, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney, confirming a report in The Boston Globe.

Breslow was a longtime pitcher in the majors, including five seasons with the Red Sox -- the first in 2006 then a four-year run from 2012 to 2015. A lefty reliever, he was part of Boston's title-winning team in 2013.

He also spent time with the San Diego Padres (2005), Cleveland Guardians (2008 and 2017), Minnesota Twins (2008 to 2009 and 2017), Oakland Athletics (2009 to 2011), Arizona Diamondbacks (2012) and Miami Marlins (2016) during his 12-year career.

Breslow, 43, had been serving as the Cubs' assistant general manager and vice president of pitching. He joined Chicago's front office in January 2019, starting out as the director of strategic initiatives for baseball operations before working his way up the ranks.

His New England ties extend beyond playing for the Red Sox, as he grew up in Connecticut and attended Yale.

In September, the Red Sox fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom after four seasons that included three last-place finishes, including in 2023.

Several high-profile names reportedly declined interviews with Boston during its search to replace Bloom in recent weeks, including Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen and ex-Miami Marlins GM Kim Ng.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.