The Tampa Bay Rays today announced several changes within their baseball operations department. Erik Neander has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations/General Manager. Among his duties, Neander will focus on the department's player evaluation and procurement processes. Chaim Bloom has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations. Together, Neander and Bloom will directly oversee all functions within baseball operations.
"Erik and Chaim are talented, accomplished baseball executives with longstanding service to our organization. These promotions recognize their expanded leadership roles in the department," said Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman. "This evolution is one that we envisioned two years ago. I'm proud to work together with Erik and Chaim and empower them to direct the operations of our department."
Neander, 33, has spent 10 seasons working in the Rays baseball operations department, including the last two years as Vice President of Baseball Operations. He joined the Rays as an intern in January 2007, earned a full-time position following that season. Prior to joining the Rays, he worked for Baseball Info Solutions. The Oneonta, N.Y. native graduated from Virginia Tech. Erik and his wife, Jessica, reside in Tampa with their two sons, Penn and Corbin, and two rescue dogs.
Bloom, 33, has spent 12 seasons as part of the Rays baseball operations staff, including the last two years as Vice President of Baseball Operations. He joined the Rays as an intern in January 2005, following internships with the San Diego Padres and Major League Baseball, and joined the department full-time after the season. A Philadelphia native, Bloom graduated from Yale University. He and his wife, Aliza, reside in St. Petersburg with their two sons, Isaiah and Judah.
"Running a baseball operations department is an enormous challenge that requires a wide variety of talents, strong leadership and tight collaboration," said Stuart Sternberg, Rays Principal Owner. "I have great confidence in Erik and Chaim's ability to both lead our operations and to advance our methods and the scope of things we do. That is critical, especially in the face of an increasingly difficult competitive environment."
The Rays also promoted James Click to Vice President, Baseball Operations. He will manage many aspects of the department and continue to provide a key voice within it. 
Rays Baseball Operations Leadership
Matt Silverman, President
Erik Neander, Senior Vice President/GM
Chaim Bloom, Senior Vice President
James Click, Vice President