Larry Lucchino called Wednesday's Boston Globe story on the off-field problems of the Red Sox "an interesting set of theories about the demise of the club in September", but didn't specifically refute any of the news that was reported . . . including the part, vehemently denied by Terry Francona, that Francona had personal problems, including the use of painkillers to deal with various medical issues, that affected his job performance.
"Most of the things that were reported we had heard publicly," said the Red Sox' president and CEO. "Well, some of which we had heard, not all of them. That was Globe reporter Bob Hohler's take on it. We're doing our own review and examination."
The news on Francona had never been reported prior to Wednesday.
Lucchino also declined to comment on the swirling rumors about general manager Theo Epstein heading to Chicago.
"I don't have anything new to add, I really don't," he said. "We said last week, and we said since the beginning of this, we don't comment on these kinds of offseason activities, requests for permission, front-office or managerial changes, unless there is something specific to talk about. And so we're going to respect the privacy of the individuals involved."