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...
When asked if there was a resolution in sight, the Cubs’ Theo Epstein said, “Seems like it should be coming to an end sometime soon.’’
When asked again, Epstein said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to talk about it. No one has really talked much about it. Probably a better question for MLB.’’
“Nothing new,’’ added Cherington. “Would any of you like to resolve it? The commissioner has been involved. As we’ve gotten closer to spring training I think that there’ll be some direction given from the commissioner’s office.’’
Is the gap large?
“It’s hard to quantify,’’ Cherington said. “It’s just a disagreement. There was an expectation when Theo left that the Red Sox would receive significant compensation for allowing the Cubs to hire him and we haven’t been able to agree on what ‘significant compensation’ means.’’
Globe | At hot stove, compensation on back burner
This is getting pretty old. and is taking a hilarious amount of time. I don't care what anyone says, we're not getting anything significant. Some kind of long-shot prospect. The Cubs will complain that it's too much, but we're not getting Starlin Castro or Matt Garza (nor should we), so it's not going to break the bank.
I'm getting so tired of Super Bowl coverage. Not only do we have to listen to the same thing every day, but it takes the Sox out of the picture entirely. I know there hasn't been much to say lately, but I still think I'd like to read empty quotes about how Aaron Cook will be just fine as a no. 5 starter than hear for the 6,000th time that the Giants pass rush could give the Patriots some problems.
Speaking of Cook, Michael Silverman of the Herald believes that he, Silva, Bard, and Aceves are the main combatants for the last two spots of the rotation. I'm a little surprised not to see Vicente Padilla on that list (or the immortal Clay Mortensen!), but he's probably right. But there's one more thing everybody keeps ignoring about this list: Even if Bard starts the year in the rotation, there's no way he's finishing the year there. The Red Sox don't stretch young guys out in that kind of extreme. Bard's been pitching 80 innings a year for his whole (young) career; they're not going to roll him out there for 200 this year. And even if they wanted to, he'd probably blow out his arm. He gets tired every September anyway.
So remember that when thinking about the Sox' strategy of grabbing for depth, rather than throwing every penny at Roy Oswalt. We really need to have six starters to prepare for Bard's midseason conversion back to the pen. Maybe that's how they'll use Aceves -- long man to start the season, then stretch him out in June or July and have him jump to the rotation and Bard back to the set-up role.
Herald | Positive spin on rotation | ESPNBoston | Red Sox, DH could face arbitration | Source: Roy Oswalt, Rangers meet | CSNNE | No imminent upgrades to Red Sox rotation | Cherington confirms Maine signing | Sox still in talks, but preparing for arbitration hearings | [Image]
