Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Your Late Morning Dump...Where 2011 was one of Bud's favorites

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.

It had everything. Outstanding individual achievements. Down-to-the-wire drama in the Wild Card races. And a splendid seven-game World Series, in which the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to set nightly records for refusal to give up no matter how dire their circumstances.

It was terrific.

[...]

"I've had a lot of people, including a lot of owners, say that to me," Selig said in an interview with MLB.com. "The comments are usually along the lines of 'Wow, what a season," or 'It was wonderful.'"

"When I think about where we were in 1992," Selig says, "who would have thought that the grand old game could have had 21 years of labor peace?

"I was reminded of that when we had the conference call with the owners to ratify the CBA. It was so smooth. The owners were happy, they were pleased. There was a deal that dealt with our problems. It was fair and equitable. The vote was 30-0. The whole thing took a matter of minutes."

MLB.com: Selig shares praise of historic 2011 season

I didn't see it. Sure, the fall of the Sox may have contributed to my view of 2011, but interest around the league continues to decrease. Selig knows interest in baseball is diminishing and small market teams are getting killed. If he doesn't, he has one terrible case of denial.

I didn't care about the World Series and everyone else outside of Texas and Missouri felt the same. The Cards and Rangers attracted one of the lowest TV ratings for a World Series, and this was a success? It wouldn't have been much better if you inserted most other teams around the league. Aside from the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, where the following is national, people just don't care.

Selig attributes the new CBA to the success and avoiding any type of situation that we saw with the NBA and NFL. I'll give him that one, but that's it. Baseball needs to do something to re-gain the interest. Speeding up the game has been an issue over the years and 4 1/2 hour Sox/Yankees games have resulted in sleep deprivation. I don't think there will be a fix for that in the near future, or many other changes to increase interest. Selig doesn't have many fans, and he will not be the guy that will bring this game back to the top.

Merry Christmas!

This was the best picture I could find with my 2 minutes to spare this morning, but it works.

The MLB has taken the day off, but some of us will be watching the Celtics open up their season at noon. Although we have the day off, John Scrooge has the Red's Army crew working all day.

As Ted's Army enjoys the day off, we hope all of you do the same and we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Your Morning Dump... Where McClure has 'True Grit'

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.

McClure’s reliever-to-starter experience wasn’t the only reason the Red Sox [team stats] named him as their new pitching coach yesterday. Hired recently as a scout and roving instructor, he made a good impression during a meeting with manager Bobby Valentine and received recommendations from people within and outside the organization after a six-year tenure as the Kansas City Royals pitching coach.

And after watching their starters get fat on beer and chicken in 2011, the Red Sox believe McClure has the right temperament to bring more discipline and structure to the pitching staff than predecessor Curt Young.

“He has a real true grit to him,” said Valentine, whose staff also will include a new third base coach (Jerry Royster), first base coach (Alex Ochoa) and bench coach (Tim Bogar, moving from third base). “He can be very sociable and jovial, but he also could be stern when he needs to be. And I think that’s a good prerequisite to this job.”

Herald - Bob McClure ready for Sox

"He has a real true grit to him."  That's all I need to know about McClure to be happy with this hire.

Back when Curt Young decided to head back to Oakland, Clay Buchholz let us know why Young wasn't nearly as effective as his predecesor, John Farrell.  "I have nothing bad to say about Curt. He talked to me about whatever I needed to talk about. With John it was, I don’t want to talk to him unless I have to because I’m scared of him."  I've beat this drum at least a hundred times since September, but this Sox pitching staff can't function under a buddy-buddy hands-off coach.  They need someone to come in and kick some ass.

The article also discusses how McClure himself, as a player, made the transition from the bullpen to the rotation for the Brewers in the early 80's.  As if his experience three decades ago is going to ensure that Bard's and Aceves' transition is going to be smooth.  I'm not buying that.  If they get frustrated, I'm sure he can share some words of wisdom based on his history, but it'll come down to building up their endurance and ensuring they can repeat their delivery for 5, 6, 7 innings. 

You don't need to have done it yourself to coach it, but I guess the experience couldn't hurt.  But beyond all that, I just needed to know that McClure wasn't a push over.  That he wasn't going to stand by and let Josh Beckett balloon over the course of the season.  That he's going to lead the pitchers, and not the other way around.  Mainly, that his approach can best be summed up in the title of a Coen Brothers film. 

Rest of the links:

Globe - McClure sounds like he's ready to get after it with the Red Sox | Red Sox moving cautiously so far ... remain calm | NESN - Ben Cherington's Patient Approach Could Be Costing Red Sox Potential Acquisitions | ESPN - Sox announce staff; Ochoa is 1B coach

Alex Ochoa named first-base coach

Former outfielder and Sox minor league coach, Alex Ochoa, has been named first-base coach for the big league club.

CSNNE:

Ochoa, 39, was the hitting coach for Boston’s High-A Salem affiliate last season and his batters led the Carolina League in on-base percentage (.328), and finished third in average (.254) and slugging (.387).  He began his professional coaching career in 2009 as Boston’s staff assistant and served as a special assistant in the Red Sox Baseball Operations department in 2010.  

Ochoa is a veteran of eight major-league seasons with the Mets (1995-97), Twins (1998), Brewers (1999, 2002), Reds (2000-01), Rockies (2001) and Angels (2002).  An outfielder, he hit .279 (597-for-2,143) with 131 doubles, 19 triples, 46 home runs, 261 RBI, 320 runs, 203 walks and 56 stolen bases over 807 career games.  Ochoa played under Valentine for parts of two seasons with the Mets in 1996-97.

In his final season in the US, Ochoa played 24 games for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2007. Ochoa completed his career in Japan, playing 2 1/2 seasons for the Hiroshima Carp (2007-2009).

It's nice to see the coaching staff come together. Welcome aboard Alex.

Your Morning Dump... Where Gio isn't walking through that door

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 Red Sox were involved in trade talks with the Oakland A's for lefty starter Gio Gonzalez right until the end -- when the A's opted for the Washington Nationals' package of three pitching prospects (plus a position player) over the Red Sox' offer, which was more titled toward position players, an industry source confirmed.

Gonzalez, 25, was sent to Washington in exchange for pitchers A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone and catcher Derek Norris.

A deal with the Red Sox, meanwhile, would have required the Sox to part with four prospects -- each a high-level prospect, the source indicated.

It's believed that Oakland was asking for names such as third baseman Will Middlebrooks and outfielder Ryan Kalish -- among others -- to get a deal done with Boston.

CSNNE - Sox unsuccessful in landing starter Gonzalez

I didn't even know the Sox still had four 'high-level' prospects left on the farm.  I kid.  I kid.

I like Gio Gonzalez.  When it was announced that the A's were putting him on the block and that the Sox were interested, I became slightly excited.  You can't have too many young, left-handed potential aces in your rotation. 

But now that the deal is finalized, I'm relieved we didn't complete the trade.  The Nationals gave up a lot to get Gio.  Two of the players they traded are ranked as their top-five prospects, with another ranked ninth.  The A's were asking Boston to part with their number one prospect, Middlebrooks, who just happens to be the heir to the Youkilis throne.  And a seat we're going to have to fill sooner rather than later. 

We obviously need pitching, but you can't derail your team's roadmap unless you're getting a truly special player.  Gio is good.  And maybe he becomes that caliber of player some day.  But he's not now.  So I'm more than happy to let someone else empty their shelves, hoping he does reach that level.

Of course, this still leaves us with some giant holes in our pitching staff.  Cherington is clearly sitting back, waiting for the pitchers to come to him, asking for a job.  And maybe that plan will work out.  As the winter progresses, price tags lower.  I just hope he doesn't wait too long.

Rest of the links:

Herald - Sox stay patient as SP goes Gonzo again | Cardinals land Carlos Beltran | Globe -  An early look at JetBlue Park at Fenway South | Valentine a big hit with the kids in Allston | WEEI - Depth charge: How Red Sox starting depth is shaping up | Red Sox hit with $3.4M luxury tax bill | ESPN - Red Sox saving bullets for another deal?

Your Morning Dump...where McClure appears to be the pitching coach

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.

NESN's Peter Gammons mentioned on Twitter this evening Bob McClure was the "right person and teacher" for the Red Sox as pitching coach. He later said that was just his opinion.

But since then, sources have said that the Red Sox are indeed moving forward with hiring McClure as their pitching coach. The 59-year-old was hired last month as a special assignment scout and minor league instructor. He was with Kansas City for six seasons as their pitching coach.

McClure was 68-57 with a 3.81 ERA over 19 major league seasons. He helped the Brewers to the 1982 pennant then lost two games in the World Series. McClure was with the Rockies from 1999-2005 as a minor league coach. He was with the Marlins in 1994.

Globe:McClure in line to be Sox pitching coach

Say hello to Troy Bob McClure! You may remember him in such roles as the pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Last year in Kansas City, the Royals finished with a 4.44 ERA and had 75 Quality Starts, both good for 12th in the AL and led the league with 557 walks. He takes over a Sox rotation that has talent with the likes of Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz but finished just slighty better than the Royals last season (4.20 ERA, 71 QS, 540 BBs).

This isn't anything to get too excited about. When the Sox signed Curt Young last year, there was a quality track record and he could turn good prospects into quality major leaguers (hello Gio Gonzalez!). But after dealing with the a-holes that we have on the roster, Young couldn't wait to get out of here and Billy Beane will gladly take him back.

The one thing that Sox fans can look at is that he did help Zack Greinke figure it out and he made Bruce Chen look good enough that the Sox were willing to acquire him so that he could pitch the most important game of the year.

On paper this looks bad but it could work out... oh who am i kidding? I'm setting the odds for McClure as the scapegoat for the horrid pitching at 10-to-1. Any takers?

 

Rest of the Links: Globe:A look at Fenway South|McClure in line|Herald:Cordero's not coming to Boston|CSNNE:Sox cancel rookie program|WEEI:Sox eye McClure as pitching coach

It has been exciting and challenging for Valentine

Charles Krupa / AP

Bobby Valentine fit in some time on WEEI's Mut and Merloni show, while he was touring the new Jet Blue Park in Ft. Myers. Valentine mentioned that he is excited to meet Carl Crawford and he is working hard to prepare for next season.

"Carl's working his behind off, as he usually does, I guess, in the offseason," Valentine said. "From what I gather and what I've seen from afar and what I've learned third-hand, and not first-hand, is that he's an athlete who loves to work. Speaking to his agent, he is working. We have a face-to-face plan hopefully right after the first of the year, when things settle down for him. He's going to give me a little time. So, it's in the planning stages. But you know what? We're going to have a lot of time when the season starts, too. I can't wait to meet this outstanding athlete."

I hope Carl Crawford is working his butt of, he has a lot of making up to do. Why is he speaking to his agent and not directly to him? I know Valentine hasn't had much time on the job, but I would think he would talk to Carl directly instead of just getting his info "third-hand". You're the manager, learn everything first-hand.

Let's move on. Valentine believes Bogar is ready to be bench coach and was the perfect candidate for the job.

..."I've always admired his passion for the game of baseball and his knowledge of the game of baseball. After talking to him and figuring out what I could do to make him the best that he could be, so that he could be the best coach on this staff, the bench coach was exactly where he needed to be."

Valentine, once again talked about his conversation with Beckett, and also mentioned Dice-K, Punto, and the bullpen. to sum it all up, he doesn't really know much about anything related to the Sox. He has observed everything from afar and has no real first-hand experience.

As far as the new pitching coach that has been selected, his identity is still unknown and we are waiting until all of the paperwork has been completed. I'm surprised, that Bobby didn't spill the identity of the new pitching coach, it would have been fitting.

Valentine hasn't had much time on the job and it is tough to get in touch with everyone and know what is going on in December. I'm sure "It's been exciting and challenging", but this is the calm before the storm. There is a lot of work to do Bobby.

Bogar gets "Benched"

You won't have 3rd base coach Tim Bogar to kick around anymore after he sends Adrian "my legs don't move so fast" Gonzalez home.  He's packing up his bags and moving... to the bench.  To be Bobby V's bench coach.  Ahhhh, now you see how damn clever that title was.  *High Five*!

Via WEEI:

According a major league source, Tim Bogar will be named the new bench for the Red Sox under new manager Bobby Valentine. Bogar, who has been with the organization since 2009, will be moved from his previous spot as the team's third base coach, where he had served for the past two seasons. The 45-year-old spent his first year with the Red Sox as their first base coach.

Bogar replaces DeMarlo Hale, who has moved on to coach third base for the Baltimore Orioles. According to CSNNE, who was first to report the adjustment in the Red Sox major league coaching staff, Jerry Royster is a candidate to replace Bogar as the team's third base coach.

Can I first say how excited I am to have a guy named "Jerry" take over as 3rd base coach?  The annoyed/frustrated "Jerry" quotes and videos from Parks & Rec after an ill-advised wave home basically publish themselves.

Also, congrats to Bogar.  I have no idea what life is like as Bobby Valentine's right-hand man, but it has to be better than the scrutiny of 3rd base.  Nice to see Bobby promoting from within, too. 

But I don't really care about the bench or 3rd base coach.  My concern is with the pitching coach.  Mainly, the complete lack of one.  The Sox have said that they plan to hire one by Christmas, but it's already December 21st and I haven't heard any rumblings about the Sox having their guy.  In that same link they report that the Sox have recently interviewed the Ray's AAA pitching coach.  So we're really turning over every stone in this search.

I could be overstating the importance, but I think the pitching coach is going to be the hire that makes or breaks this season.  We saw what a huge step back the staff took transitioning from Farrell to Young.  We need to ensure we have the right guy in place.  Even if that means we miss our arbitrary Christmas deadline.

Your Morning Dump...where Roy Oswalt could be the new Adrian Beltre

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 34-year-old right-hander is exactly what the Red Sox need. He’s a proven veteran with an extensive track record and a history of big-game experience.

The three-time All-Star has finished in the top six of the Cy Young voting six times in 11 seasons and boasts a lifetime record of 159-93 with a 3.69 ERA.

The fact that he’s willing to play next season on a one-year contract before jumping back into free agency in 2013 is a gift from above as the Red Sox methodically conduct this offseason under patient general manager Ben Cherington.

Herald | One year of Roy Oswalt fits in with Sox' plan

Yesterday, Roy Oswalt announced he'd be willing to take a one-year deal to help re-establish his market value. Hopefully, Ben Cherington had a similar reaction as John Tomase did.

He is indeed a good fit. Yes, he'd push us into luxury tax territory. But isn't this the kind of risk that's worth taking? One year for a proven veteran who isn't always hurt (Sox management usually prefers the latter, though). He'd get a big-time spotlight to help with his next free agent push (not that he couldn't get that in Philadelphia). The change of scenery would at least show that he can do it in the AL -- if indeed he can do it in the AL.

The only way Oswalt isn't a good fit is if such a signing would make it harder to fill the bullpen appropriately. I've already talked about my distaste for Francisco Cordero, and I feel the same way about Ryan Madson, so that's not what I mean. If we're not signing a guy like Oswalt, I'd rather see us bring in a handful of relatively strong relievers and hope a couple stick. I know, that sounded dangerously close to closer-by-committee, but we're a little short on options at this point. (Or we could roll the dice on the bullpen cheaply and make a run at Yoenis Cespedes, but that's for another day.)

I'm not head over heels for Oswalt or anything. He only pitched 133 innings last year, and is getting older. After toiling away in obscurity for years, he dazzled in 82 innings for Philadelphia in 2010. Maybe he enjoys the spotlight. We should at least see if he'd be interested in our spotlight. As always, the price tag is important, but if we could get a big year out of him without any long-term risk, that would be pretty great.

Globe | Can the Red Sox make a major move? | ESPNBoston | Adrian Gonzalez has positive outlook | CSNNE | Red Sox now escalating their search for pitching | Cespedes, possible Sox target, to accept bids next month | Source: Sox shifting Bogar to bench coach

Sox pursuing Francisco Cordero

Sure enough, Mark Melancon isn't the final answer. Via MLBTR comes news from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that the Sox have "increased dialogue" with Reds closer Francisco Cordero. The Reds are still in on Cordero, though the post doesn't include any more detail than that.

I'm nonplussed by Frankie C. Here are my issues with him:

1. He's 36. Sure, he's been durable -- 63 innings or more every year since 2003 -- but 36 is 36.

2. He's been with the Reds for four seasons and Milwaukee for two more. His last time in the AL was with Texas way back in 2005. He's been relatively effective closing games in that span (and has three All-Star appearances, for what it's worth), but still, it's the NL Central. It's tough to transition from the NL Central to the AL East.

3. What's that you say? Mark Melancon is making the same transition? Move along, nothing to see here...

4. His numbers other than saves are a little scary. His WHIP in three of the last four years was 1.32 or higher (eesh). His K/9 ratio is frightening. Over the last five years, this is its regression: 12.2, 10.0, 7.8, 7.3, 5.4. So yeah: he's not missing bats, and he'd be transitioning from a relatively weak collection of bats (NL Central) to the AL East, where even the Orioles have a good lineup.

Count me out on Cordero.

(Cool card photoshop via here.)