Neither Hoyer nor Cherington would directly address the job description awaiting Epstein, and how they will be affected, but both spoke of maintaining continuity in Epstein's absence, suggesting they will work for him, rather than Epstein working for them.
''We're definitely a stronger organization with Theo a part of it," Hoyer said. ''Certainly, Ben and I, our goal all along was to add continuity and keep in place the structure we all built together."
Added Cherington: ''When Jed and I accepted these positions several weeks ago, we did so in most part to maintain a sense of continuity in baseball [operations]. Theo's return will be a significant step toward maintaining that continuity."
While Epstein's return had been rumored for weeks, only after 11 weeks of conversations among Epstein, owner John W. Henry, chairman Tom Werner, and president and CEO Larry Lucchino did the team's ownership and its former protege bridge the philosophical divides that led Epstein to leave the team on Halloween night.
''We have engaged in healthy, spirited debates about what it will take over the long term for the Red Sox to remain a great organization and, in fact, become a more effective organization in philosophy, approaches, and ideals," the four men said in a statement released through the club's public relations department.
''Ironically, Theo's departure has brought us closer together in many respects and, thanks to these conversations, we now enjoy the bonds of a shared vision for the organization's future that did not exist on Oct. 31 [when Epstein resigned].
''With this vision in place, Theo will return to the Red Sox in a full-time baseball operations capacity."
Werner and Epstein, when reached last night, declined further comment. Henry and Lucchino did not respond to e-mail inquiries.
When Epstein left the Sox, he left on the table a three-year contract for $4.5 million. It was unknown last night whether a similar deal would await him upon his return.
