Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

There's zero chance Zack Greinke (and his hot wife) come to Boston

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

We have to believe that despite the idea of Greinke pitching in New York tough to imagine, that the Yankees and even the Mets would make a phone call. The Yankees could offer slugger Jesus Montero and/or left-hander Manny Banuelos as the headliner, and have the necessary pieces to compliment such a package deal. The Mets may not have said inventory, outside infield prospect Wilmer Flores and right-hander Jenrry Mejia, and Royals GM Dayton Moore may require more.

Moving forward with the thought that a smaller market club -- at least not the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies or Mets -- would suit Greinke better and give that club a better chance to extend the right-hander beyond 2012, the Texas Rangers could be major players for Greinke if they lose out on Cliff Lee this winter.

...

The Red Sox, like the Yankees, would likely make the phone call, and could be asked for right-hander Casey Kelly and shortstop Jose Iglesias as two pieces of a trade, but it's unknown whether the club wants to spend even more on their starting rotation right now after committing five years -- four more -- to John Lackey and extending Josh Beckett last year.

ESPN Insider

I don't think anyone envisions Zack Greinke pitching for New York or Boston. The dude once had social anxiety disorder so severe, that he considered quitting baseball.

Not to mention, the Sox won't ship two top notch prospects for another pitcher. The Rangers or Cardinals are the supposed front-runners.

Peter Gammons had this to say about Greinke on WEEI:

“I can’t believe [the Yankees would] ever trade for Greinke and try to have him pitch in New York. I think he’s better off pitching in Greenland.”

Click here for more pics of Mrs. Greinke.

Happy Halloween!

Your Morning Dump...Where Ortiz wants security

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

"I just want to cut out all the crap and go back to the guy I was before, a happy guy who doesn't have to be answering questions that have nothing to do with anything but controversy. I just want to be able to play baseball and have fun, like I used to," Ortiz told WEEI.com. "That's where I came back to not wanting just one year, because I know it's going to be just the same thing.

"As soon as you struggle for a week, it's going to be the same thing. People saying you are old, saying you have no bat speed anymore. People talking all kind of crap. It's hard to avoid that because it's all over the place. You're a regular human being just like everyone else. It's not like you're in a cage, locked up and you come to the field and that's it. It's not like we don't watch TV, listen to the radio, read the newspaper. We are all connected to that stuff, especially here."

ESPNBoston | David Ortiz cites contract distractions

I'm a Papi guy, but I've never understood the argument that athletes are distracted by their contract situation. You don't like not being guaranteed millions of dollars for more than one year? Try being a regular person. We don't have guaranteed salaries and seem to be getting along just fine.

That said, I've been on board the "sign Papi for a couple years" train for a while now. (It's an Acela; pretty nice.) Sure, it's rewarding him for the past, but: Who better to reward than David Ortiz? He's important to the team and to the fans. He's one of the few guys who gets your attention in the lineup if you're at the park.

His best days are behind him, but he can still be quite good, as we saw last year. And after two straight years of slumps followed by solid production, I think he's earned the right to not only get a contract, but also for us to get off his back early in the year. Go 2 years, $20 million, with a 3rd year player option at 7 or 8, and neither party should be unhappy.

Globe | Wakefield receives thanks | Gossip stings, but Watney sticks with it | Ortiz would like to lock up added security | Herald | Texas needs bats at home | ESPNBoston | With Ortiz, there's no easy answer | CSNNE | Giants' youth look to do what Hall of Famers never could

San Diego Thinks Adrian Is Ours

K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune

The San Diego Union-Tribune took a peek at the future of Adrian Gonzalez, and it looks pretty bright...  For the Red Sox! 

Only the most Polyanna of Padres fans think Gonzalez will be with the club beyond 2011. A poll of 1,762 San Diego Union-Tribune readers shows that 77 percent believe the club will not sign him to a long-term contract before he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2011 season.

More likely, Gonzalez will be traded, either this offseason or before next summer’s trading dealine.

The Padres, who had baseball’s second lowest payroll this year, have said they can’t afford to pay their best player the salary he’ll command.

In MLB's current salary cap-less economy, where the Red Sox can outbid any team for any player they want (no matter how much Henry whines about the Yankees bank account), the Sox are in the prime position to prey on the weak and cashless.

The article lists the Sox as the team with the best chance to land Gonzalez:

The Red Sox have Kevin Youkilis at first. But Youkilis can play third base. If the Red Sox re-sign free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, come 2012 Youkilis and Beltre could alternate between third and DH. At some point, the Red Sox will bid DH David Ortiz goodbye. Bottom line: Gonzalez, playing pepper with the Green Monster, would look good in that crisp Red Sox home white uni. An added factor: Dave Finley, special assistant to Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, was a Florida Marlins scout and signed Gonzalez when he was baseball’s No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft.

Now, the big caveot here is that I don't think the Sox are going to retain Beltre.  That leaves a gigantic hole in our squad - either at 1st or 3rd, depending on which path they want to take.  Do the Sox gamble on Gonzalez falling to them and throw Lowrie at 3rd?  Do they sign some veteran stop gap?  Do they play it as if Gonzalez isn't coming to town and try to lure a permanant fixture?

Or, do they just make a Godfather-type offer to San Diego and try to lure him now, heaping truckloads of prospects and Jacobys on their doorstep, avoiding the risk?

If you have the solution to this riddle, by all means don't keep it to yourself.  I just don't know.

Your Morning Dump... Where We Check-In With John Henry

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Deep Thoughts, by John Henry:

On the Red Sox being in Year 2 of the “bridge” season metaphor used by general manager Theo Epstein: “He used the word ‘bridge’ and how imprecise were the reactions to that. Some people thought we were therefore not trying to win in 2010 even though we had a $175 million payroll -- that this was somehow a bridge to 2012... I could have done a better job of counteracting that impression.”

On the club’s 2011 payroll: “It will depend on who is available, what our needs are and the market itself. Purely a guess -- probably close to 2010. Last year we thought it was going to be lower than it turned out to be. But with (Adrian) Beltre and (John) Lackey signing, we ended up near $175 (million ).”

On whether he can see the team making baseball moves for “splash” purposes over sound baseball reasons: “We’ve always opted for competitiveness over splash. When you’re being outspent by your nearest rival, you cannot afford to spend monies for fluff.”

Herald - Shots at Jacoby Ellsbury irk Red Sox’ John Henry

The headline (literally) of his interview was his defense of Ellsbury.  Blah, blah blah, "he was attacked for not coming back soon enough", blah blah blah, "but he was reinjured because he came back too soon."  I'm over the Ellsbury stuff.  It's like arguing whether Grady should've pulled Pedro.  Who cares anymore?  As long as he comes back next season ready to go, let's move on.

There were some other interesting tidbits in there, such as the impact that Liverpool will have on Red Sox nation.  Henry took the, "we're all one big happy family and will support eachother" route.  And NESN's declining ratings -- apparently, to Henry, last year didn't really happen and we'll have a clearer picture next season.

What's interesting to me is the payroll comment.  As always, any of this could change at any moment, but if the Sox plan on keeping it around $175 million, that doesn't leave much room for any high-profile free agents; which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  But it's probably safe to say that visions of Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford can stop dancing in your head now.

I'll let the rest of the Ted's Army team attack him for his "outspent by nearest rivals" comment.

Rest of the links:

WEEI - Ortiz: 'Not comfortable' with one year deal | Wakefield: Clemente Award 'the ultimate' | NESN - Instead of Signing Jayson Werth, Red Sox Could Look to Less Expensive Right-Handed Sluggers | Adrian Beltre, Victor Martinez Among Red Sox' Type A Free Agents This Offseason

Tim Wakefield: 2010 Roberto Clemente Award Winner

Courtesy of ESPN:

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield is the recipient of the 2010 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a major league player who gives back through community service and also excels on the field.

Wakefield was presented the award by commissioner Bud Selig and Vera Clemente, Roberto's widow, before Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night at AT&T Park.

"This is a very special day for me and I am extremely honored to be named the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award," said Wakefield. "Roberto's legacy truly epitomizes how an athlete should act, not only on the field, but off as well. That's what I've tried to emulate throughout my career."

Since 2004, Wakefield has been actively involved with the nonprofit "Pitching in for Kids," which provides grants to improve the lives of children across the New England region and encourages kids to participate in special events to learn important life skills and the spirit of helping others in a community. Fundraisers co-hosted by Wakefield have helped raise nearly $1 million.

Congratulations to Tim Wakefield. He's been over qualified for this award for quite some time. Of course, MLB decides to give him the award after he finished his worst season in a decade. Why didn't they give it to Wake last year to coinicide with his first (and probably only) All-Star Game? Was Derek Jeter really that much deserving over Tim Wakefield? Maybe they gave it to Jeter since he played SO well and had many clamoring over Jeter for MVP.  That's the only reason I can think of.

 

Gammons: Yes on Crawford, no on Victor

If you trust Peter Gammons, be prepared for a 2011 Sox team without Victor Martinez, and possibly with Carl Crawford:

"There is no doubt in my mind that they are going to go really hard after Carl Crawford," said Gammons. "That will be a matchup with the Angels, and you know there are some puffs of smoke coming out of New York that suggest the Yankees might go after him, even though their primary need is pitching."

[...]

"I don't expect Victor Martinez to come back, I think Detroit is going to give him four or five years," said Gammons. "And I don't think anyone else is going to give him four or five years."

I agree with Peter that Theo won't go four or five years on Victor. It will be interesting to see if he just goes to the highest bidder. Victor seems to be someone who values how much he enjoys a situation, in addition to solely the money. Of course, cash is generally king.

The Crawford part has me perplexed, saddened, and doubtful. Perplexed because he's not our need -- a speed guy whose primary skill is not valued by this organization and will deteriorate more steeply than power. Saddened because money to Crawford means less money for Victor, who I like. And doubtful because Brian Cashman is said to lust after Crawford, and battles between the Sox and Yankees in the offseason rarely fall our way.

As for Adrian Beltre, Gammons claims to have no understanding of that market, which is an odd comment from a baseball insider who acts as a mouthpiece for the organization. Perhaps Lucchino asked him to keep quiet about Beltre.

What would a Papi return mean for our offseason?

This morning Aaron linked to this Globe post about Papi expecting to remain with the Red Sox, but I wanted to call it out again to think about what it means for the rest of the offseason. 

Let's forget about money and just assume he's back for 2011. How does that affect other positions?

For one, it eats up the DH spot, especially against right-handers. We could cycle in Victor as the DH against lefties, but I don't think it leaves enough at bats for another DH type on the bench.

As a result, I think it suggests more of the run-prevention strategy in acquiring new players. We know Theo values flexibility (look at the Bill Hall acquisition), and if his (and Tito's) hands are tied by more than one guy who can only hit, he won't be happy.

In other words, don't expect the Adam Dunn/Lance Berkman types to land in Boston.

Secondly, I think it would signal less interest in more offensive left-handed hitters. We're not left-handed to the level that the Yankees are, but with Ellsbury, VMart (primarily), Ortiz, JD, and potentially Kalish, we have the danger of being unbalanced to the left side. 

In a macro sense, this isn't bad, since most pitchers are right-handed. But many of the dominant pitchers on the best teams -- Sabathia, Lee (assuming he signs with either Texas or New York), Liriano, and Price, namely -- are lefties, and those are the guys we'll be facing in September and in the postseason. 

I'm all for Papi's return -- but we have to consider him as part of the overall team when assembling the roster this offseason.

Your Morning Dump... Where Ticket Prices Go Up. Slightly.

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

The overall average price increase for all tickets at Fenway Park is 2 percent, the team announced today. That’s the lowest percentage increase over the past 16 seasons - save the 2009 season when the team froze prices across the board.

“Over the last few years, we have taken steps to slow the growth of season ticket and individual game ticket prices in efforts to ensure the Fenway Park experience is a viable option for as many citizens of Red Sox Nation as possible,” said Sox Executive Vice President Sam Kennedy, in a statement.

About 30 percent of Fenway tickets - for seats in three prime infield locations - will see a “modest” increase for the 2011 season, the Sox said.

No single price category increasing by more than $5. Still, Fenway is among the highest-priced ballparks in all of baseball.

Herald - Red Sox hold steady on most Fenway Park ticket prices

I don't really have too much of an opinion on this.  Ticket prices at Fenway are high, by any standards, but the money does go back into the product, via payroll and renovating the park, so you won't find much anger here.

With the Sox already having some of the hight-priced tickets in baseball, they weren't going to get increased by much. 

What will be interesting to see is what types of price increases are found elsewhere in the park; mainly concessions.  $8 for a Fenway Frank?  Sure - that sounds reasonable... I'll take two!

Rest of the links:

Globe - Farrell introduced by Jays | Ortiz: I'll be with the Red Sox in 2011 | WEEI - Red Sox pitching coach search underway | Pitching coach market moves | 

Terry Loves John, Casey Gets Bombed

A couple of Sox updates from WEEI.

Francona on Farrell managing the Jays:

"...I wish he was in a different division. We spend our whole life trying to find ways to win games. To face one of your best friends 18 or 19 times isn’t the most fun. Somebody is going to go home being mad. I hope it’s him. I wish that was different. But that’s the only negative I see. He’s very deserving. We knew this was going to happen, and I’m thrilled for him. That far outweighs the negatives."

Classy, as always.

He also stated that there is "no timetable" for finding a new pitching coach.  Well, duh.

And for those of you closely monitoring Casey Kelly, well, you can't win 'em all.

Top Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly was hit hard in his Monday outing in the Arizona Fall League, allowing eight runs on eight hits in just two innings of work for the Peoria Javelinas. Kelly struck out two, walked one and allowed a homer. Kelly threw 46 pitches, 28 for strikes.

The outing represented a dramatic departure for Kelly, who had excelled in his first two AFL outings. Prior to Monday, he’d allowed three runs (one earned) in nine innings while allowing six hits, walking two and striking out six.

Your Morning Dump...Where Schilling joins the John Farrell love fest

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

I always felt like I out-prepared everyone -- whether I did or not, I believed it -- with John at the helm. I always felt like if I missed something, he would know it, he would be there to address it. And whatever I might need on a day I had the ball, he'd be ready for.

His No. 1 asset, though, is his ability to communicate. He's confident without being arrogant, smart without sounding demeaning or superior. People still believe the best managers in the game are the best tacticians and strategists. I've never believed that. The best managers in the game, the best leaders in business, are the people who put their "players" in the best position to succeed every single day, and they communicate that.

ESPNBoston | Schilling: Sox losing a great one in Farrell

Man, if I hear one more story about how irreplaceable John Farrell is, I might go crazy. Where was all this praise when he was here? And when did the pitching coach become such a sacred position.

I'm sure if was good at his job, but I'm sure that Dave Eiland, the Yankees pitching coach was fired because AJ Burnett is terrible, was good at his job too. Coaches get too much praise and too much criticism depending on what's going on.

To give Schilling credit, he is spotlighting something you can't take away from John: A good communicator is valuable in an organization. 

But if he thinks Toronto is going to make the AL East a four-team race because they have a new guy hanging out on the bench, he's sadly mistaken.

Herald | Pitching coach's move no surprise | John Farrell's off to Toronto | Yankees fire pitching coach | Rangers face Giant road hex | Globe | World Series pitching matchups | CSNNE | Red Sox begin search for Farrell's replacement | Manny: I'd love to play for Farrell | ESPNBoston | Schilling: Sox losing a great one in Farrell