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The very unfortunate Herald cover which photoshopped Theo Epstein's head on a drawing of Superman's body is a reminder of the truth of that ancient adage: If anybody in newspapers knew anything about finance, they wouldn't be in newspapers in the first place.

This is not to say Epstein is a bad general manager. He's a good one. But credit should always go where it's due, and in the case of the recent upgrades to the Red Sox roster, that credit is due the guy who signs the checks -- a Mr. J. Henry, of Boston, Liverpool, and wherever his boat docks.

When a ballclub trades for or signs a middle reliever, that's the GM's baby, and he should get the credit/blame. When a ballclub makes a $300 million commitment to two players, that's the owner's doing. There hasn't been a GM in history who'd make those deals without the final approval of the controlling financial interest in his franchise. Nor should there have ever been one.

If Epstein convinced Henry these additions to the Sox' accounts payable were good business, then again, good for him. But in the matters of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, Epstein was purely a staff officer. Put the Superman suit on the man who made the command decisions.