Red Sox Hire Dombrowski; Cherington To Step Aside

The Boston Red Sox have announced that they have hired Dave Dombrowski as president of baseball operations.

Dombrowski, who described Boston's courtship as a "whirlwind," was fired as president of the Detroit Tigers two weeks ago.

Dombrowski, who will be introduced on Wednesday, said he intends to hire a new general manager. He offered the position to the incumbent, Ben Cherington, but Cherington declined the offer.

"I was hoping as late as this afternoon that Ben would stay," Dombrowski, 59, said, "I was prepared for him to stay, but I understand his reasons for not staying."

The Red Sox said in a statement that Cherington, who was in his fourth season as the team's general manager, agreed to assist in the transition.