Red Sox name Sawdaye scouting director!

Club stays within organization in replacing McLeod.


BOSTON -- The Red Sox will stay within the organization to replace the widely-respected Jason McLeod, naming Amiel Sawdaye as the team's new director of amateur scouting.

Sawdaye had served as McLeod's assistant since Dec. 2004 and has been with the Red Sox since 2002.

McLeod, who was recently hired as assistant general manager of the San Diego Padres, had a string of success for the Red Sox in recent Drafts, landing players like Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard.

But Sawdaye has been part of that decision-making process as well, so the Red Sox hope for a seamless transition.

"We're not changing much. We're not reinventing the wheel," Sawdaye told WEEI.com. "We have a really good system. We have really good processes in place. That's why we've been successful, because of the processes and scouts we have out in the field. ... It's actually been a pretty seamless transition because of my relationship with all the scouts. Their understanding of what we do hasn't changed."

The club also announced a host of other personnel moves on Wednesday, including the formal promotion of Mike Reinold to head athletic trainer and assistant director of medical services under team medical director Thomas Gill. Reinold has been praised by Red Sox pitchers for the last several seasons for his shoulder strengthening program and he will now move in to an expanded role.

Before coming to the Red Sox, Reinold spent six years as director of rehab and clinical education at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Ala., working for the renowned Dr. James Andrews.

In addition, David Finley, a national cross-checker for the Sox the last five years, has been promoted to special assistant to the general manager.

Former Major Leaguer Alex Ochoa has been named special assistant, baseball operations after working as staff assistant for manager Terry Francona in 2009.

Mike Cather, the pitching coach at Double-A Portland the last three seasons, will now be a Major League advance scout.

Gary DiSarcina, the former Angels' shortstop, will use his defensive expertise in his new role as infield coordinator. DiSarcina had managed short-season Class A Lowell from 2007-09. In fact, DiSarcina has already been on the go in his new role, spending time with Jose Iglesias, who is viewed as Boston's shortstop of the future.