Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Your Afternoon Dump... Where the Phillies turned down Ellsbury

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.

According to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies turned down a Red Sox proposal in which the Sox would have sent Jacoby Ellsbury to Philadelphia in exchange for left-hander Cliff Lee. 

"According to multiple sources, the Red Sox approached the Phillies about a Jacoby Ellsbury for Cliff Lee deal and were told that Lee was not available," the report said. "The Phils won’t break up their Lee-Cole Hamels-Roy Halladay trio. (Check back in July if the team is not in contention.)"

The Phillies needed a center fielder, but instead of trading for Ellsbury or pursuing any of the prominent free agent center fielders, the team traded for Twins center fielder Ben Revere. Red Sox team sources have said that the team would consider a trade of Ellsbury (in the aftermath of signing Shane Victorino) only if it meant a considerable upgrade to the team's rotation.

WEEI - Report: Phils said no on Ellsbury-for-Lee

Sorry for the extremely late dump.  Today is not my day...

If you needed confirmation that the Red Sox intending on trading Ellsbury, here you go.

I actually like this trade for both clubs.  Boston gets themselves another reliable starter to combat the bats in the AL East.  Phillies get the major, and sorely needed, upgrade in their outfield.  Win-Win.

But I don't blame Philadelphia for saying 'no thanks'; and I doubt their desire to keep their rotation intact was the deciding factor.  I think it all comes down to Jacoby's contract situation.  No one is going to ship of a quality starter (or any player of value, really) for a potential one-year rental. 

Sure, Cherington will most likely be able to find a team willing to dump off a bloated contract, or maybe obtain another player whose contract is about to expire, but nobody willing to part with somebody like Cliff Lee.  I do like the Sox being aggressive and trying to move Ellsbury.  That's the right call.  And I'm fully willing to accept a trade where Boston only gets 50 cents on the dollar.  But we have several months to go before Spring Training.

A lot can change between now and then, or even in-season.  A team, like Philadelphia, with an abundance of starting pitching, may realize they're an Ellsbury away from a World Series. Or Jacoby could just commit to someone long-term.  Wouldn't that be nice.

Rest of the links:

 Herald - Pedro Martinez ‘open’ to a Sox job | David Ortiz glad to be free of Bobby Valentine | Globe - Pedro Martinez: I pitched clean | David Ortiz not yet fully healthy | WEEI - Terry Francona to receive Boston BBWAA’s Emil Fuchs Award | CSNNE - Report: Dempster turns down Sox offer | Damon wanted to return to Red Sox

Your Morning Dump...where Cherington is keeping Ellsbury here

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.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington downplayed suggestions that, with free agent outfielder Shane Victorino in the process of finalizing his contract, the team now intends to deal Jacoby Ellsbury. While Cherington restated that the team listens when approached by teams about any of its players, he said that he expects the 29-year-old to be a key contributor to the club in 2013.

"You answer the phone and take the calls and listen to ideas. Our expectation is Jacoby will be here and be our center fielder," said Cherington. "[Dealing Ellsbury] is not our intent. We're expecting Jacoby to have a really good year in 2013 and be a huge part of what we're doing."

As for the level of interest in his center fielder, Cherington said, "I wouldn’t comment specifically. We have a number of guys who are really valued by other teams, so weve been asked about a number of guys. We’re not looking to move guys off our roster. We’re looking to add talent to the roster, not move guys off at this point. We’ll see. You’ve got to listen and learn and have the conversation. We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t at least have the dialogue and gather the information and see what other teams are interested in doing."

WEEI: Cherington: Ellsbury a huge part of 2013

WELP.... So much for that. After signing Shane Victorino, the big assumption was that Jacoby Ellsbury suddenly becomes much easier to trade, especially for some starting pitching. 

We all know what happens when we assume. 

Corny jokes aside, Cherington believes that when healthy, Jacoby Ellsbury is at or pretty close to the player that shocked us all in 2011. He's also one of the few that is being this optimistic about him. I'm not going to get into the "freak accident" theory that Boras laid out, the fact is that Ellsbury continues to get hurt and when he does come back, he doesn't emerge as the solid player that everyone is hoping for.

It's a little bit surprising that Ellsbury isn't being dangled out there, especially in a package for a front line starter. I don't think anyone will be disappointed to see that happen, especially with the way everyone in Boston sports radio were talking yesterday. As soon as they heard about the Ellsbury for Cliff Lee rumor that Scott started, everyone was arguing about who would drive Ellsbury to Philly.  (Oh, wait we're giving the credit to Schilling? Screw that.)

His value may not be the same as it was last season, but if you add a quality prospect (that doesn't include Jackie Bradley or the X Man), a team like Philly would take that risk because they are so desperate to fill their outfield after trading it away last season. Now we just need to see if either GM would actually sit down and discuss it.

Rest of the Links: Globe: No intent on trading Ellsbury | Arms hold the key for the Sox | Herald: Ellsbury trade the right move | Hamilton on the radar | Good times for Francona | CSNNE: The right approach | Sox unsure of using rule 5 pick | Ellsbury for Lee seems way too optimistic | WEEI: Now what do they do?  | Cherington met with Hamilton 

Your Morning Dump...where the Sox will listen on Ellsbury

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 are not necessarily finished constructing their outfield, according to major league sources. General manager Ben Cherington is considering the idea of trading center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury for a starting pitcher, playing Victorino in center field, and signing another player for right field.

Cody Ross and Nick Swisher are among the free agent right fielders still available. The Sox, those same sources said, are telling free agents to remain available.

Cherington did not discount the idea of the Red Sox signing another outfielder.

“Wouldn’t rule out adding two outfielders to the mix,” he said at the Winter Meetings. “We’ll see what’s attainable.”

When asked specifically about Ross, Cherington did not cross off the incumbent right fielder as a possibility for next season.

Globe | Red Sox add Shane Victorino; now does Jacoby Ellsbury go?

Ah, yes, one of my favorite subjects. Trading Jacoby Ellsbury.

I've written on this in the past and have always been to some degree in favor of trading our centerfielder. I was a big proponent of it last offseason, when his value was, I believe, far too high. I don't think we'll ever see an MVP-caliber season from him again, but of course I could be wrong. I was less excited about the idea the last time I wrote about it, simply because of the lousy season he had from both a performance and health perspective.

Nothing has changed since last month in terms of our options beyond Ben Cherington adding veterans on short-term deals in the outfield. The pitching market also appears to be exorbitant, with everybody waiting on Zack Greinke to officially set the market, and then guys like Anibal Sanchez, Kyle Lohse, and Ryan Dempster in line to be overpaid behind him.

So if you're going to trade Jacoby now, it might be worth looking at acquiring some pitching. My favorite target entering the offseason was Josh Johnson, who I thought could be had for a relative bargain compared to his upside. Obviously, Toronto agreed with me.

Now, one of the more talked-about targets is Cliff Lee in Philadelphia (who Ted's Army's Ben Fountain is a big fan of). The Phillies have been beaten in their efforts to sign BJ Upton and Angel Pagan, and, barring an overpay of Michael Bourn, is looking at being pretty weak at the position, so they might be interested in Ellsbury. Such a move would give them a chance to unload a substantial contract: Lee is owed $75 million over the next three years, with a $27.5 million option ($12.5 million buyout per Cot's). Philly has committed long-term dollars to Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Jonathan Papelbon, Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard, and might want to free up some money for extra pieces.

I've been against such a move when I've thought about it in the past, but it bears some consideration when you consider the market we're in. What if Greinke gets seven years, $165 million, as some are speculating? And then Sanchez gets five or six, at or approaching $100 million? Is an $87 million commitment to Lee -- a true front-of-the-rotation guy who has pitched in a variety of settings, including the postseason -- that exorbitant? Given the Red Sox' financial might, they are likely not to care about the money as much as the years, so this sort of contract appears to be something that might appeal to them more than most.

Obviously, this is all pure speculation. We don't know if Philly is interested in Ellsbury, nor what else would be involved (Would Boston have to kick in prospects? Would Philly kick in money?). We don't know Ellsbury's value. We don't know whether Philly would risk flipping one of its more stable players for somebody who is quite unstable and will not sign before becoming a free agent. But expect to hear that the two sides at least talk about it.

One page 2, the Red Sox were simply outbid for Dan Haren.

Cliff Lee exhibits textbook hustle

Boys and girls, this is what NOT to do when running out a grounder. Cliff Lee just says f**k it and walks back to the dugout after hitting the grounder in his last start in Cincinnati. He took a couple of steps, realized that he is THE Cliff Lee, and headed right back to prep for what he really gets paid for. 

I would never support this lack of hustle, but he would have been out before he was 20 ft up the baseline if he sprinted. When life throws you lemons, or weak ground balls, just say screw it.

Your Morning Dump...where at least Cliff Lee isn't in the Bronx

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.

“Anytime the Yankees pursue somebody, it’s pretty much a done deal,” said Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald. “But he’s not in a bad spot in Philly. He’s on a great team with a lot of great fan support. Obviously, he wanted to wear the red pinstripes.”

Last night offered the Red Sox a reminder of what a nightmare it would have been to face Lee four or five times a year. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and dominated his ballyhooed matchup with Josh Beckett [stats] to the final pitch in a 5-0 shutout.

“That’s an unbelievable offense over there, even with Crawford and Ortiz out,” Lee said. “It’s still threats from start to finish. I wasn’t expecting us to get five runs off Beckett, the way he’s been pitching. I was anticipating it being a closer game from start to finish.”

Herald | Thankful-Lee, he went to Philly

Word.

Can you imagine having to see this guy a bunch of times a year? Can you imagine Yankees' fans talking excitedly about him? They'd be worse than me and Adrian Gonzalez.

Lee was great, Beckett struggled. Ben mentioned how awesome Lee has been lately (and as his fantasy owner, this is something I'm well aware of), so it looks like he's just in a groove. Beckett is something to watch. He is notoriously streaky and injuries have been known to set him back; will sickness be the same?

Hopefully not, because we can't afford it. We're going through a tough period with injuries right now, and we're a game and a half back of the Yankees, who every year seem to not realize that they're old and should be terrible. Meanwhile, the Rays are just a game behind us -- so we really can't let up.

One piece of good news will be Clay Buchholz returning from back problems...but on page 2, that return is delayed.

Recap: Cliff Lee 1, Red Sox 0.

Damn.

That's all you can say after Cliff Lee went up against the best lineup in baseball and made them look like a triple-A club. Lee didn't give up a hit until the sixth to Marco Scutaro. He didn't allow another hit until Darnell McDonald got a leadoff double.  The Red Sox never had a chance tonight with the way he was throwing, and fell to Philly 5-0.

Oh by the way, that's only his third straight complete game shutout. He ends the month of June, going 5-0 while allowing only a single earned run in 42 innings (0.21 ERA).

To make matters worse, Lee got an RBI off of a sac fly in the fifth so he literally beat the Sox by himself.

Josh Beckett had himself a bad night, allowing a season high five runs in six innings. Besides giving up the sac fly to Lee, he allowed a pair of two run bombs to Dominic Brown (in the 2nd) & Shane Victorino (in the 6th).

If you're looking for anything positive, Bobby Jenks made his return in the eighth and didn't hurt himself! He gave up a single, a walk and struck out a couple in 25 pitches. Can't get too upset about this one, Lee is just in a zone. He's on a tear that's reminiscent of Pedro in 1999. It's scary how good he is.

 Box Score

Your Morning Dump...where no one wants to call this a World Series preview

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.

“In the back of your mind, you kind of wonder if we’ll play them again,’’ Boston slugger David Ortiz said.

But there’s a better chance you can get a baseball player to discuss the intricacies of French cinema in the 1930s than to concede that one series is more significant than another, especially in June.

“I don’t lose any sleep thinking about the Phillies,’’ Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis said. “I haven’t really thought about it. I didn’t even know who we’re facing or anything like that. When we go out on the field and we take batting practice and prep for the game, then we’ll be ready.

“I’m not really interested in this series other than going out there and just playing baseball. I don’t look at it as foreshadowing. Both teams still have to play a lot more baseball to even get in the playoffs, let alone the World Series. If it’s October and we’re both in the playoffs and we’re both playing well, then we can talk about it. But until then it’s just a series where we have to go out and play some good baseball and hopefully take two out of three.’’

Globe | It's just another in a series of challenges

Before the season, everyone and their mom was picking a Sox-Phillies World Series. Remember this?

Baseball players are superstitious (and nuts), so their resistance to talking about it is expected. But I'm surprised to see some of the Sox writers (like Gordon Edes in the related link below) listing off reasons why this series isn't that important.

Well, it is.

We're still a favorite (if not the favorite) to win the AL, and the Phillies are still the favorite to win the NL. We don't have our full team healthy -- but who's to say we ever will? 

This series gives us a chance to see the starting pitching the Phils have to offer. We get to test out their bullpen (assuming we can get past aforementioned starting pitching). And we get to see if our starters, who've had mixed results with AL opponents, can match up with the best lineup in the senior circuit.

It all starts tonight with Beckett-Lee. It should be a pitcher's duel, so naturally it'll end up being 14-12. But it'll be fun to watch, and it should give us some notes for October.

Related: ESPNBoston | Red Sox can't get ahead of themselves | Herald | Clash could be Classic | See you in World Series? Not quite yet | CSNNE | Red Sox: Philly series not a World Series preview

On page 2, our other other Japanese pitcher gets rocked in his return from injury.