BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox wasted little time making changes within the organization.

Immediately after the final game of the Pawtucket Red Sox’ season on Monday, pitching coach Mike Griffin was told by management he was being reassigned and hitting coach Mark Budaska was fired. Red Sox vice president of player personnel Ben Cherington, and Mike Hazen, director of player development, attended the last game in Pawtucket and informed the coaches of the organization’s decision.

It’s likely the Red Sox will look outside the organization for their replacements.

Griffin, 50, has spent nine years with the Red Sox, working four seasons as their Double-A pitching coach before his five-year stint in Pawtucket. Budaska, 54, began working for the organization in 2002 with Portland and spent the last four seasons with the PawSox.

Griffin, who became the PawSox’ longest-tenured pitching coach this season, helped the staff finish with a 4.05 ERA. In fact, the staff’s ERA has improved each of the last three seasons under him. It was 4.40 in 2005, then 4.29 in 2006.

“Griff’s a loyal employee and a hard worker,” said Cherington. “He’s someone we admire.”

Cherington explained the job of a Triple-A pitching coach is a difficult one, a position with unique challenges.

“It’s a grind,” said Cherington. “That grind was starting to get in the way of his ability to make an impact. … It was starting to get in the way of all the good things he’s done in the past.”

If Griffin decides to stay in the organization, which Red Sox management hopes he does, the club feels he’ll be getting a fresh start that will bring out his strengths again.

“It hit me hard that I won’t be back in Pawtucket for 2008,” he said. “I loved every minute I was there. The PawSox have a great fan base and (owner) Ben Mondor and (team president) Mike Tamburro are great. They pour their hearts out to the players and the coaching staff. It still hasn’t sunk in yet. I had no idea this would happen.”

During his time in the organization, Griffin was told by the Red Sox that he was doing a good job and to keep it going. He took the news on Monday very hard, but said he’s now at the thinking stage and hopes to continue his relationship with the Red Sox.

“I have nothing but good things to say about the organization,” he said. “They treated me and my family great. I love the Red Sox. I have since I was a kid and to work for them was a dream come true. I would like to continue developing players for the Red Sox very much.”

Griffin worked with some very talented pitchers during his tenure in Pawtucket who, and when the news hit the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday afternoon, his former pupils were shocked.

“He was great,” said Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. “He’s one of those guys who is always positive. But when you need a kick in the butt, he’ll kick you in the butt. He does a good job handling all the different personalities.

"In Triple A it’s a tough level because you’ve got guys who have big-league time and think they should be up there. Then you’ve got younger guys who are trying to get here, and he does a good job handling each one of those personalities. He’s more of a pitching coach; he’s more or less like a babysitter. He knows how to handle all situations.

“He’s the best guy in the world,” added Lester. “He always has your best interest and there are no agendas. He doesn’t try to teach you something just to get his name out there. He’s always trying to work with you because he’s trying to help you. That’s real big, especially at that level.”

On the offensive side, the PawSox finished near the bottom of the league this season with a team average of .254. In 2005, Pawtucket had the fifth-best average under Budaska and the club was among league leaders in runs scored (788), home runs (168) and walks (599).

“Buda worked very hard,” said Cherington. “A lot of young hitters enjoyed success and made it to the major-league level and that’s not lost on anybody. This was just a change we felt was necessary. Buda is a very qualified hitting coach.”

Cherington said the organization’s view and Budaska’s view on a couple of things “didn’t match up” and “the change was in the best interest for both.”

“I love Buda,” said Red Sox outfielder Brandon Moss, who spent nearly all season in Pawtucket. “Buda’s a great guy. I’m shocked to see him go, but at the same time, it might work out for the better for him.”

“Both are good people,” said Cherington. “Not an easy decision to make and it’s news that you don’t like to deliver.”

jmcdonal@projo.com