BASEBALL Red Sox in state of urgency without GM

Theo Epstein's departure has left the organization battling bitterness and betrayal.
BOSTON (AP) -- Maybe it was too much to expect that something as trivial as winning the World Series would be enough to straighten out the Boston Red Sox.
One year after the team's first title since 1918 -- an event that spawned books, movies, trophy tours and teary-eyed visits to ancestors' graves -- the Red Sox are once again immersed in bitterness and betrayal and a search for a general manager to replace Theo Epstein.
"We've had a lot of changes in this organization for a team that has just come off a world championship and was able to work its way back into the playoffs," catcher Jason Varitek said Tuesday, a day after talks broke down and Epstein's contract expired.
Player's reaction
"I'm very upset that we lost somebody like him. We seem to have a lot of that going around."
The most successful general manager in franchise history, Epstein rejected the team's offer of a $4.5 million, three-year extension. His deal expired at midnight Tuesday morning, leaving the team without a GM heading into the busy bazaar of the baseball off-season.
Negotiations with free agents such as center fielder Johnny Damon are on hold, trade talks will have to wait and the business of assembling the 2006 team has been interrupted by Epstein's stunning decision to walk away from his dream job with his hometown team.
The Red Sox have clammed up -- a little too late. The ballclub declined to comment again Tuesday, a day after reports that Epstein left because leaks about the negotiations convinced him there had been a breach of trust with mentor Larry Lucchino.
Epstein released a statement describing, but not explaining, "an extremely difficult" decision and has planned a media availability for today.
The spokesman
That left Varitek to serve as team spokesman during a conference call to discuss his first Gold Glove.
"I'm very upset that Theo's gone," said the Red Sox captain, who sent Epstein a text message congratulating him after erroneous reports that he had re-signed.
"Yes, it was a shock. I was really surprised that he is not coming back. But, hopefully for him it is the best decision."
In addition to dealing with free agents -- including Damon and three-fourths of the infield -- the Red Sox need to plug holes in the starting rotation and bullpen that led to a first-round playoff sweep by the eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox.
Manny Ramirez and David Wells have reportedly asked to be traded; Epstein's chief assistant, Josh Byrnes, is now the GM in Arizona; the Red Sox trainer was let go; third-base coach Dale Sveum decamped for Milwaukee.