Don't get too comfortable in this.
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.
Reached by the Globe Thursday afternoon, Cherington said he did not mean to suggest Bobby Valentine’s firing was imminent.
“I honestly meant it very literally, like we would like to spend less time on it,” Cherington said. “That could mean one day, that could mean no days. In my mind, it was nothing to do with Bobby or a decision about him, but I guess people are taking it the wrong way and if I need to clarify it, I’ll clarify it.”
Asked if he felt compelled clarify the remark, Cherington replied, “I mean, the only thing I can clarify is to tell you that I meant it in the most literal sense possible. We’d like to focus less of our offseason on who the manager is. I don’t think that has anything to do with Bobby Valentine. It has to do with how we’re allocating our time.
“As Larry [Lucchino, the team president] has stated many times, and as ownership has stated many times, Bobby is managing the team and we’ll meet after the season.”
Globe -Ben Cherington says comment didn’t mean Valentine firing was imminent
After reading those quotes above, at least one thing is clear: Ben Cherington would make for a terrible presidential candidate. Not convincing whatsoever.
Yesterday, as Nick mentioned, hearing Cherington say what he originally said - that the Sox would be spending time this offseason on their managerial search - was certainly not shocking. Not to you. Not to me. Most likely not to Bobby Valentine, either. It even gave a glimmer of hope to Sox fans desperate to put this season, and the Bobby Valentine era, in the rearview mirror.
So what does the Sox brass expect us to do now? Pretend like we don't know that Valentine is going to be fired as quickly as possible? That his desk isn't probably already cleared off? You let the cat out of the bag - a cat that everybody knew was in the bag, if I'm using that old-timey phrase properly. Might as well run with it. Now you just look silly, and we're all left rolling our eyes at you. Again.
On a side note, I've been spending some time thinking about the 2013 Red Sox. While we have absolutely no idea what that roster is going to look like, it's probably safe to say they won't go handing out $150 million contracts to every free agent that wants one this winter. We're going to have some young guys, and a few others with a bit to prove. And, as silly as it may sound, Valentine is probably well-suited to manage that team. Much more so than he was the team the Sox fielded this season.
But there is no turning back on 2012 now. Regardless of the nonsense Ben desperately tries to spin.
Rest of the links:
Herald - Sox switch in works? | It adds up to disaster | Globe - Varitek named assistant to the GM | Winning players in a lost Red Sox season | Making the most of it |Ortiz: Red Sox need to re-embrace the '04 approach | WEEI -In search of Mike Aviles: What to make of the shortstop's lot in life | Report: Francona has contact with Indians | ESPN - Keith Foulke catches up
