All-Aughts Team of the Decade GM: Theo Epstein

Was there any doubt? The Boy Wonder is clearly Boston's GM of the Decade, taking the job over officially for the 2003 season. 2000-2001 was the death throes of former Boy Wonder Dan Duquette, who was responsible for bringing Pedro Martinez to town, and ... that's about it. Duquette sometimes didn't understand how to properly construct a roster or interact with the media. In his defense, he did put together solid postseason-caliber teams and had a deft hand in picking players up off the scrap heap. (Bret Saberhagen, Troy O'Leary, etc.) 2002 was with Mike Port at the helm as interim GM although some have said that Epstein was the one running things behind the scenes. Whatever the case, Boston courted Oakland GM Billy Beane heavily following the 2002 season, and a deal was thought to be in place. The contract was a go. Oakland's compensation (Kevin Youkilis) was a go. And then... Beane got cold feet. California was home. He pulled out, and Boston was left without a GM.