Book: Boston owners wanted 'sexy' players

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BOSTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The owners of the Boston Red Sox wanted "sexy guys" on the team, a decision that may have led to a losing 2011 season, former manager Terry Francona says.

Francona, who was fired two days after the team lost 20 of their first 27 games that year, made the assertion in excerpts published this week by Sports Illustrated of his upcoming book, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday.

Team owners John Henry and Tom Werner commissioned a study after the team's losing 2010 season that found "we didn't have marketable players," Francona wrote.

"We need some sexy guys" to raise television ratings, former general manager Theo Epstein is quoted in the book as saying.

Epstein traded three prime prospects for Adrian Gonzalez, an All-Star first base baseman, and Carl Crawford, a free agent outfielder, Francona said.

The acquisitions did nothing to help the team or its marketability, Francona said. Crawford was frequently on the disabled list, while Gonzalez didn't hit as powerfully as expected.

They were traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 2012.