Red Sox Already Having Problems?

A lot is being made of the fact that Lowrie came out and said he thinks of himself as an "everyday" player. Epstein then came out and said their will be a competition for the starting SS job between Scutaro and Lowrie. The story then took another turn when Francona announced that Scutaro will be the starting SS Opening Day.

All this and they haven't even got to Spring Training yet. So what do I make of all this?

That it's all a bunch of nothing. Scutaro will be the starting SS opening day, but that doesn't mean in July he will be. Even if he is the starter throughout the season Lowrie will get close to "starter" at-bats, because he can play 4 infield position and Francona loves to make sure everyone gets rest. On top of that it's not like Scutaro is getting any younger.

Even if you turned this situation the other way and Lowrie ends up the starter, people forget that Scutaro was a utility man as will throughout most of his career. So no matter what the Sox will have one hell of a utility player.

Theo Says Ortiz Is "Happy" With One Year Deal

In the weeks leading up to the Red Sox picking up Ortiz's 1 year option (for $12.5 million) Ortiz made it clear he wanted a more then a one year deal. After picking up his option Theo released this statement...

"David is a player who is very important to our ownership and to our fans," said Epstein. "And given these feelings, the fact that he’s still very productive and that there was a one-year solution built in the contract, this seemed like not only the most likely outcome but the one that balanced all the various factors in the most appropriate manner. David did express an interest in multi-year deal to us as well as publicly, and we explored that. But we couldn't find anything that made as much sense as a one-year commitment. At the end David understands this outcome, is very much OK with it and is committed to the 2011 Red Sox."

"I think in the end he realizes that we weren't the position to give him what he was looking for," said Epstein of Ortiz, who has hit 291 home runs in his eight seasons with the Red Sox. "He's happy now, we made sure of that before we reached our final decision. Both sides are moving forward and committed to the 2011 Red Sox winning as many games as we possibly can."

Do I believe Ortiz is "happy"? No, but here is what I think really happened...

Ortiz was brought in and Theo gave him two options. The Red Sox could pick up his one year deal for the vastly overpaid $12.5 million, or they would let him try free agency. We all know there is no way Ortiz would get more then a two year deal on the open market, and there is no way he would make even close to $12.5 million next year (my guess would be something like $14-16 million and that might be generous with the way DH's have been getting paid). I think Ortiz sat back looked at his options and realized this was by far the best idea for him. If be plays well again this season maybe the Sox give him a 2 year deal, but at the end of the day he is getting paid more then 5 million more then any other DH and he is under contract.

I know a lot of people think they "owe it to Ortiz", but I think the Sox are trying to learn from their mistakes with Mike Lowell, and they don't want to get in uncomfortable situation like they had to deal with this year, which is a very good possibility if the Sox gave him a 3 year deal.

Happy to have you back Papi.

Dice-K “Very Much” A Part Of 2011 Plans

Theo Epstein has been talking a lot lately about what the Red Sox are going to do moving forward. Yesterday he addressed Dice-K....

"To look where we were with him in March, and where we are now, I think we feel a lot better about it now,” GM Theo Epstein said.” Along the way there’s been consistent velocity that we hadn’t seen the last couple years, and some improvement in the secondary stuff, even as recently as his last couple starts, so again more positive signs to take into the winter."

Peter Gammons suggested on WEEI last week that the Red Sox could flip Matsuzaka to the Mets for Carlos Beltran, but the Red Sox appear to have little interest in Beltran, and thank god, because that guy hasn't done shit in years. Anyways, I am not the biggest Dice-K fan, but I do believe that he can be a solid back of the rotation type of guy, as long as Beckett and/or Lackey stepup next year the rotation could be decent. I can guarantee you that 2011 will be Dice-K's last year in a Sox uniform (same goes with JD Drew).

Let's just say the next two years are going to put Theo "under pressure"

Papelbon To Break Theo's Arbitration Streak (UPDATED)

Today is the last day for the Sox to avoid arbitration with 4 players (Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, and Jonathan Papelbon). Boston writers seem to agree that the only one who will go to arbitration is Papelbon (which will be the first one since Theo took over the Sox).

Why?

Well it is very simple. Papelbon wants to cash in as much as possible, so he is giving up years of security to cash in now. For years now Papelbon has let it known that he is going to test free agency when he is eligible (which I think is after this year). He also wants to be the highest paid closer of all-time. Meanwhile, Boston doesn't seem to really care. It is fairly simple why they don't want to keep the best closer they have ever had....They know he is breaking down.

Bard is going to be the closer after this year (you can write that down). Papelbon will ride out his deal, hit free agency, sign a big deal, and then his arm is going to fall off (much like Pedro a couple years back. For all you Papelbon people out there, I am just getting to ready, because he doesn't care about staying in Boston, just his next pay check.


***UPDATE***

Theo streaks looks like it will stand as Papelbon has agreed to a 1 year deal worth $9 million (according to WEEI). I really don't care as long as they don't commit long term.

Red Sox Introduce John Lackey

Lackey sounds like Ray Romano, except retarded.

Red Sox Already Giving Up On 2010?

Tony Massarotti (by far my favorite Boston sports writer) wrote an interesting article today about the Red Sox being willing to give up on 2010 for bigger things down the road.

"When Theo Epstein starts talking like this, he is trying to tell you something. He is trying to tell you that the Red Sox are in a developmental gap and that they are likely to suffer from it in 2010 (Boston.com)."

Massarotti goes on to say that he think the Sox will sign Bay or Holliday, but that their big acquisitions will likely stop there. We all know that neither of those players wil be enough for the Sox to overtake the Yankees, or even get by the first round of the playoffs (if they even make it). Seattle seems to be gearing up for a run, the Angels are still players, the Yankees are only getting better, and yet the Sox are standing still.

Nothing is in stone, but from the looks of things the Sox aren't going to make the deal to run at a Championship this year. I know sometimes you have to, and I respect that. I really do try to look at the big picture, and I usually side with their choices, but how do you justify raising ticket prices again in a terrible economy with a team that you already know doesn't have what it takes. The Boston Red Sox are a "large market team", and though I don't believe in reckless spending to the point that the Yankees do it, I know the Sox have enough money to make the moves necessary to build a Championship caliber team without giving up their entire farm system.

Once again, nothing is in stone, but I don't like the way this offseason is heading...

The "Matsuzaka Plan"

"Theo Epstein said the other day in Chicago that Daisuke Matsuzaka would return to the United States well before spring training and embark on a conditioning program. Via old friend Gaku Tashiro of Sankei Sports, here's a little more information on that:

Matsuzaka is still in the States but will leave soon for Japan. He then plans to return in late December and is likely to take up residence in Arizona and work out at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Phoenix.

"It is not decided that I will be doing that in Arizona. But the facility seems to be an environment where I can really concentrate on my program," Matsuzaka said. "(Dustin) Pedoria was the one that introduced me (Boston.com)."

Good. Dice-K needs to come back in shape and ready to go. It will be good that it seems he will be pitching ONLY for the Sox this year, and he seems committed to the Sox new plan. Hopefully all the fighting between the Sox and Dice-K is over, because the Sox really need him to step up and be their #3 pitcher next season.

Sox Plan To Increase Payroll This Offseason

Interesting article in the Globe today. It seems Epstien gave some hints to the Sox offseason while announcing the Tim Wakefield signing...

"So we're talking to Theo Epstein Monday afternoon and he mentions that restructuring Tim Wakefield's deal will save the Sox $1.5 million on the CBT, which is GM-speak for the payroll luxury tax, or collective bargaining tax.

"That's important because there's some things we want to do this winter and we don't have a ton of room under the CBT," Epstein said.

The tax threshold for 2010 will be $170 million. Are the Red Sox actually planning to approach that? They were around $125 million this season (Boston.com)."

I think the Sox are going to make moves this offseason. The team is aging and obviously has some serious holes in it. Halladay could be an option, and I am sure the Sox will make another run at Felix, plus there have been all those rumors about Adrian Gonzalez coming here. I really don't know what they are going to do, but if I had to guess I think you might see a changing of the guard with Lowell and/or Ortiz, plus another frontline pitcher....

Beckett To Meet With Theo About Future

"Boston Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett expects to meet with GM Theo Epstein soon to discuss his future with the club, according to WEEI.com. Beckett will become a free agent after 2010, barring an extension, an experience 30-year-old has never tasted. But how much is Beckett worth to Boston, who has rotation depth as well as youth on the cusp, and are interested in Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman (ESPN)?"

The last two year Beckett has been kind of a let down, but I expect that he is going to have a huge year in 2010, since it is his contract year and probably his last shot at one more big contract. If I was Boston I would wait until at least half way through next year to resign him. Why? Because I really believe Beckett is one of those guys that needs a fire lit under him to get him going. I know a lot of people think they should let Beckett walk, but pitching is so hard to get that I think they should resign him unless his contract demands are outrageous.

Red Sox And Dice-K Back On Same Page

"If you heard general manager Theo Epstein’s comments the other day, they could be interpreted as an ultimatum - show up in shape or else. There’s no doubt the Red Sox need to see that from Dice-K before the wasted 2009 season is water over the dam.

“I think there’s a feeling that it’s going to work out,’’ said the source. “I think they’re finally on the same page. Took a long time, but I think the two cultures have finally converged and there’s good feeling again (Boston.com).’’

Basically the Sox told him to show up in shape or else. Now it seems like Dice_k has accepted that and is going along with the Red Sox offseason throwing/training schedule. This is great news for Sox/Dice-K fans. He came in out of shape this year, and then tried to be a hero in the WBC. Hopefully all the ugliness is behind him and he can get back to be an 18 game winner, which the Sox will need with their lack of offense...

Theo Epstein's Comments On Ortiz's Steroid Use

Theo Epstein Signs Extension

The Red Sox have signed GM Theo Epstein to a contract extension. Theo's previous deal was supposed to expire next month, but now the Sox will not have an unnecessary distraction as they make their way towards the playoffs. If you remember the Sox had a lot of that during the 2005 offseason. With Epstein, the Sox have won 2 World Series, and although he has made some questionable moves (like signing Drew, Renteria, Lugo), he has also done what matters most, and that is put a championship team on the field. Some people argue that anyone could do that with the payroll he has, but it didn't happen in the previous 86 years, so I guess he is doing something right. I like Theo a lot, and I am glad they are not screwing with him this time around. No word on how long the contract extension is, but we will let you know as we find out more.

-BMack