Red Sox Reportedly Fill Substantial Role In Front Office

Ben Buck reportedly will be replacing Justin Willard.

If you’re confused as to who those people are, what roles they serve and why these changes matter, stick with us because we’re about to explain it all.

The Boston Red Sox reportedly are promoting the former to become their new director of pitching, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray.

Buck, who joined the organization as a pitching coordinator last year, previously spent five seasons with the New York Yankees. Willard, who previously held onto the director of pitching role, left the club last month to become the pitching coach for the New York Mets.

The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey previously reported that Buck had been named a finalist for the position alongside Nick Otte, with both being credited with the rapid development of the likes of Payton Tolle and Connelly Early in 2025.

Quinn Cleary, who was hired away from the Seattle Mariners in November, will be the assistant director of pitching and will work closely alongside Buck, special advisor Ryan Otero and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.