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Your Morning Dump... Where Wakefield is back

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 announced yesterday that Wakefield will return to the organization as an honorary chairman of the Red Sox Foundation and as a special assignment instructor to the club’s baseball operations.

On the baseball side, Wakefield will handle specific assignments for Ben Cherington, including working with any knuckleballers that enter the Red Sox organization. Right now, they have two — Steven Wright (Triple-A Pawtucket) and Charlie Haeger (extended spring training).

“As a special assignment instructor, just being an extra set of eyes for (pitching coach) Juan (Nieves) downstairs or Rich Sauveur in Triple A or within the organization that I might be able to see something mechanically or help out with another pitcher mentally,” Wakefield said. “Just another sounding board for them. Not only working with Steve and Charlie Haeger as knuckleballers but also with other pitchers as well.”

Herald - Tim Wakefield puts Sox back on in dual role

Pedro, Varitek, and now Wakefield get to be "special" somethings in this Red Sox organization.  Somewhere Bill Mueller is pacing around his house, staring at his phone, waiting for his call from Cherington.

I actually think this is pretty cool.  Historically, the Sox haven't had a stellar relationship with past stars.  If they have to buy goodwill with money and titles, I'm OK with that.  It's far better than having them feud. 

Plus, these guys very well could have a positive impact on the field.  We know Varitek is getting groomed to be a manager at some point.  Pedro was already down in Fort Myers working with the young'ns.  And now Wakefield gets to help any knuckleballers in the Sox system hone their craft.  These are all good things.

In Wakefield's case, there's also the charitable role as chairman of the Red Sox Foundation.  The Herald article states that Wake will help with "fundraising events, community service days and personal visits."  As good as he was on the diamond, Wake was even more impressive off of it, being nominated for the Roberto Clemente award eight times. 

Now he gets to continue doing two of his favorite things for the Sox organization: hurling floaters and helping communities.  Win-win.

On page 2, last night's makeup game has been announced.

Ted's Army Season Preview Part Three

Baseball is finally here. While Spring Training can hold people off, many are fiending for the season to start. We're right there with you. We look forward to the brutal grind of the baseball season. The braintrust behind Ted's Army came together and put out expectations for our beloved Boston Red Sox and how they would fair in the 2013 campaign. Without further ado... I give you  the third and final part of the Ted's Army season preview.

Who will be the “10th-man” of the year?

Tucker Silva: Brock Holt. He will most likely not begin the year with the club, but Holt will make is way to the majors in June (I base that on absolutely nothing). In 24 games with the Pirates, Holt made a little noise batting .292. He won’t have glaring stats with the Red Sox, but he’ll develop to be a bench guy Farrell can rely on.

Nick Karalis: Daniel Nava. If he sticks around the entire season, he will be a valuable asset with his newly acquired versatility to play the OF and 1B. He gives 110% every game and has the potential to put up some good offensive numbers.

Aaron Gettings: CIRIACO(!!!)  Not only was he one of the only Sox players worth watching as last season was winding down, he had a knack for coming through in big spots.  While the organization was crumbling around him, Ciraco showed heart, hustle, energy, and just a general sense of fun.  Even in a reduced role, I see no reason Ciraco can't have a major impact on this Sox squad.

Ben Fountain: I have to agree with Aaron and say Pedro Ciriaco. He can play anywhere on the left side of the infield, and if we're desperate in the outfield. Busts his ass and became one of the more likable players last season. If he continues to play the way he did last year, he'll be incredibly valuble to this team.

Scott Priest: I'm contractually obligated to say Jose Iglesias, who should be the starting shortstop anyway. If Drew's concussions linger (and given how unpredictable concussions can be, I think we should assume they will), or if Pedroia gets hurt (as he seems to every year), I think we'll see Iglesias contribute positively to this team.

Or Pedro Martinez, if Rubby is tearing up the minors.

Who will be the team’s HR leader by season’s end?

Tucker: Will Middlebrooks. A wrist injury halted Middlebrooks tremendous rookie season, blasting 15 HR in 75 games. By hopefully avoiding the feared “sophomore slump”, Middlebrooks and the Green Monster will be BFF’s. Prediction: 32 HRs

Nick: Jarrod Saltalamacchia. We can’t count on the health of Ellsbury, Ortiz, or Napoli, so the next guy in line would be Salty.  He will probably lead the team in homers and strikeouts…if he doesn’t get traded first. 

Aaron: It feels weird saying it could be anyone other than David Ortiz, but I just don't trust those wheels.  Have to give the nod to Mike Napoli.  He should be fun to watch.

Ben: I'm taking David Ortiz. Even with the Achilles injury limiting him to 90 games last year, he nearly the led the team with 23 homers. He'll be on the DL starting the season but in three of the past four seasons, he got off to a slow start. I'll be optimistic and project that he'll be in the lineup by the end of April and not have any setbacks, which could be asking a bit much from the 37 year old. If all that does come to fruition, he'll be in the 28-34 home run range.

Scott: Mike Napoli. I don't think Ortiz will play enough, and I don't think Ellsbury will ever hit more than 15 again.

Pedro's number one piece of advice to young players

As part of Pedro Martinez's Boston media tour since rejoining the Red Sox as a special assistant, he was interviewed this morning by Dennis and Callahan. He had lots to say, and I encourage you to check out the recap they put up on WEEI.com. 

One of the most interesting parts of the interview was when Martinez discussed his signing with the Mets after 2004. The Red Sox had stuck to their guns (as has been the status quo with many veterans over the last decade), limiting their offers to short-term deals. If memory serves, they were in the 2/25 range, and Pedro ended up getting 4/52 from the Mets. Callahan asked Pedro if he regretted the decision, and Pedro unveiled a lot of new information about the negotiations.

“Why did I leave? Because I made a mistake before the negotiations. Now that I’m experienced, I’ll suggest to anybody that even if you are dying to stay in a city, just don’t admit that openly. Because when I did say my best interest is to stay in Boston, I think Theo [Esptein] or [Larry] Lucchino, they knew that I wanted to stay in Boston. They offered me whatever the smallest amount could be. And that was a mistake. If I don’t open my mouth so early, they don’t know whether I want to leave or not. So, they would probably take that into consideration.

“Right after I agreed to the Mets, Theo called me the next day and said, ‘Hey, we’re willing to give you all that.’ But I had already committed to the Mets.”

Pretty cool stuff. I'm shocked to see him name Lucchino by name (since technically Lucchino is now some form of a boss of his), even though they were pretty vocal in the past.

Pedro clarified that the Sox did not offer to match what the Mets gave him, but merely meet whatever his demands were from the Red Sox -- which he did not specify, but said it was less than what he got to leave.

It's an interesting what-might-have-been. Could Pedro have transitioned from ace to more of an innings eater? How would the fans have handled it? At the time, many were hoping, for sentimental reasons, that Pedro stick around. But perhaps it's best that we didn't see his decline. His '04 was a rough season -- his 3.90 ERA was by far his worst in a Boston uniform, and more in line with what he put up in four years in New York. And that was in the NL East -- and he missed a lot of time due to injuries.

Pedro says he has no regrets, and I'd say we shouldn't either. And it will be interesting to see if Pedro's advice about keeping mum sticks. Will Middlebrooks and Dustin Pedroia have recently talked about wanting to be in Boston for their whole careers; David Ortiz always had trouble denying it. Perhaps the next round of prospects will be more closed-mouthed.

Your Morning Dump...Where Pedro plays teacher

Matthew J Lee/Boston Globe

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.

For the first time since 2004, we saw Pedro Martinez in Red Sox garb yesterday down in Fort Myers...this time as a teacher.

Make no mistake about it: Having Martinez around also makes for a warm and fuzzy reminder of the good old days, and he brought smiles to the couple of thousand snowbirds who milled about the complex yesterday, watching the 2013 Red Sox prepare for the upcoming season.

But while baseball history is dotted with faded legends who were squeezed into uniforms for no other reason than to sell tickets — such as Babe Ruth coaching for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938 — that isn’t why Pedro Martinez is here.

He’s back because the Red Sox believe it would be a tragedy not to utilize Pedro Martinez as a teacher.

“I can’t handle the fact that I have all this knowledge inside me,” Martinez said during the half-hour he spent with the media. “I would love to give it away. I hope they use me as an example of hard work and dedication and will to do things.”

Herald: Pedro Martinez perfect addition to staff

I know when Martinez was first hired as a special assistant to the GM, many wondered whethter this was yet another marketing ploy by the Luchhino and his minions. Usually, I'd be the first in line to complain about such a marketing-driven move. However, hiring Martinez was simply a smart baseball decision.

It goes without saying that Martinez is one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. Why wouldn't you want a guy like that teaching a ballclub's youngsters?

Felix Doubront, Daniel Bard, and Rubby De La Rosa already received some instruction from Martinez. It was reported that Doubront seemed to receive some extra attention, given his role in the rotation this year and the fact he showed up to camp out of shape. It must be pretty cool for these guys to say that the great Pedro Martinez taught me. That's something that will stick with them forever.

Unless we start seeing Martinez handing out 15% off coupons to the Souvenir Store on Yawkey Way with a big smile on his face, this is not a marketing move. This is a pure baseball move that can only benefit the future of the Red Sox.

Globe: Red Sox put all the blame on Bobby Valentine | Globe: Jose Iglesias gets an education from Dustin Pedroia | Herald: Future centers around Jackie Bradley Jr. | Projo: Nava getting his feet wet at first

Your Morning Dump... Where Pedro won't be doing any general managing

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.

Now his return to the field will revolve around mentoring young pitchers in Boston's minor league camp, as well as being a resource for the big league team, available to step in wherever he might be needed.

Martinez was asked if there was any danger in having too many voices in camp, especially given the turnover in the pitching-coach position here.

"That's not my area," he said. "Anything I can help with -- the pitching coach and I might get together to help, but no, I don't want to get my nose between anybody.

"I don't want to be a pitching coach. I don't have the time. I wanted to be a father. I wanted to be a husband. I wanted to be a family member. I don't think being a pitching coach allows me more time than I had as a player.

"I'm going to be helping the organization, mentoring kids. No way will I get between the pitching coach. No managing, either. I'll help how I can."

"Honestly, I think it's time for me to be a family member," he said. "Now that I've had a few years to think about it and be a father and see my kids play, that's important."

ESPN - Sox recapture Pedro's magic touch

Two important takeaways here.  First, while his title is Special Assistant to the General Manager, it doesn't sound like he's going to be doing anything in the realm of generally managing.  Second, and most important of all, it doesn't really sound like he's going to be doing much of anything at all.

Read some of those quotes above.

I don't have the time.  I'll help how I can.  It's time to be a family member. 

Johnny Pesky he will not be.  But that's fine. Let him fit in where he's comfortable and can be best utilized.  Even if it's in a part-time capacity.

And let's be clear: This isn't necessarily bad news.  I don't want Pedro making personnel decisions.  And I don't want him trying to act like he's the pitching coach, either.  If the only thing he brings to the table is an ability to relate to, loosen up, and help young pitchers (and players in general) adjust to the Major League game, then that's a win for the organization.

Once this initial rush of PR-driven excitement is over, I doubt we'll hear much of anything about Pedro and what he's doing with the club.  Unless Rubby makes some huge strides and talks about how Pedro helped him out along the way, or something of that nature. 

So enjoy Pedro stepping back into the spotlight.  I know I've missed him.  But expect him to fade away just as quickly. 

Rest of the links:

Herald - Jonny Gomes: I’m no one-trick pony | Persistent Daniel Nava more than leftovers | With Red Sox, Andrew Miller finds relief in being a reliever | Globe - Saturday's free Fenway event to feature PS3 tournament and Middlebrooks | Pitchers getting an early start at the Fort | WEEI - Pedro Martinez on Big Show: ‘Sad’ that potential Hall of Famers Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens ‘did something wrong’ |Terry Francona has only himself to blame | CSNNE - Gomes: Red Sox bringing in 'championship-caliber players' | Q&A with new Red Sox manager John Farrell

Welcome back: Pedro returns as a Special Assistant to the GM

Legendary Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez is returning to the Boston Red Sox...this time in a Front Office role.

Pedro Martinez is coming back to the Red Sox as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.

The club announced Thursday that their former icon -- considered by some to be the best pitcher in Red Sox history -- is coming back.

“We are very excited to have Pedro on board with us and back in the Red Sox organization,” said Cherington. “He was one of the game’s most dominant pitchers and without a doubt a beloved figure in Red Sox history. Similar to former teammate Jason Varitek, who joined the baseball operations staff in September, Pedro will be involved in several areas, including the evaluation, mentorship and instruction of young players in Spring Training and throughout the season.”

MLB.com was first to report in early November that the Red Sox had a position waiting for Martinez whenever he wanted to accept it.

“I am thrilled to be returning to this organization and to the city I love,” Martinez said. “Ben Cherington’s meetings this week have been outstanding. It is an honor to be back with the Red Sox and help in any way I can. I am grateful to our leaders; I believe in them, and I thank them for allowing me to return to the field and help us win again. My heart will always live in Boston.”

RedSox.com

First Varitek, now Martinez. What's next? Manny Ramirez to be named Traveling Secretary? You also gotta wonder if Pedro may pull a Dwight Schrute and complain about being special assistant TO THE general manager.

In all seriousness, this is a fantastic move for the Red Sox front office and their scouting department. If anyone knows pitching, it's Pedro. Go back and look at his career stats. It's incredible. He had seven consecutive seasons in Boston ('97-'03) with an ERA under 3.00. Oh by the way, he did it with needles sticking out of every batter's butt cheeks.

Given the latest drama with Terry Francona admiting in his book that this ownership group is strictly concerned about the club's image, one can't help but wonder if this may be another "sexy" move. But my gut is saying this is a phenomenal move for the future of this organization. One guy who may be very happy is Rubby De La Rosa, who has known Martinez for quite sometime now.

Let's hope Pedro tosses Lucchino aside when he charges at Ben for not making hip and sexy acquistions.

 

 

Excuse me while I get irrationally excited about Rubby De La Rosa

Rubby De La Rosa has been in the news lately thanks to the Sox development program, and the "news" that Rubby's grandmother was a nanny for Pedro Martinez when he was a boy. It doesn't take much about Pedro to get Red Sox fans' attention.

Anyway, I dare you to read this piece by Alex Speier and not immediately mark Rubby down for eight Cy Youngs over the next decade:

“His main pitch is his tremendous fastball, anywhere from 94-100 mph with very good movement on it. His main secondary out-pitch is his changeup, which is what we consider in the scouting world [on the 20-80 scouting scale, with 80 being the highest) an 80 changeup. It's very deceptive, especially with his arm speed and fastball,”Chuck Crim, De La Rosa’s pitching coach in Double-A Chattanooga in both 2011 and 2012, recalled in October. “He's got a put-away, strikeout changeup. He's got a slider. He's got a curveball.

“He's pretty creative. As soon as he starts to spin pitches, he likes to change arm angles, create different breaks. It's really one main kind of breaking ball that he uses different angles with. But his main secondary is the put-away changeup. It's an 80. It's unbelievable.”

Ooh, baby. Hard thrower with a perfect changeup? Sign me up.

Of course, the Red Sox have been very cautious with young players lately. Jose Iglesias is likely to spend yet another year in Pawtucket. Ryan Lavarnway, barring a trade or Mike Napoli not signing, might do the same. Felix Doubront took forever to be ready. The only guy they took a chance on was converting Daniel Bard into a starter, and we all know how that turned out.

So we'll see on Rubby. But hopefully sooner rather than later.

Pedro thinks the Red Sox have a character problem

Pedro Martinez doesn't think the problem is the front office, the talent, or the pink hats. The problem is instead one of character. Here's the quote, via Boston.com:

"The team has the tools to actually come back by next year. I was on a lot of teams where we had a lot of sore and painful defeats. So this team, all they have to do is fix their character, come back next year and think that everything is possible and start nice and fresh. Hopefully management will make the adjustments they need to make and work on the character a little more and I think that talent is basically there. So they need to just work all together and focus on it. I think that's achievable."

I agree with Pedro that there appear to be character issues, and I recognize that he knows just a touch more about baseball than I do. However, I have to respectfully disagree that "the talent is basically there." I don't think a better-character version of Mike Aviles, or Jarrod Saltalamacchia, or James Loney, or virtually any of the starters is going to fix what ails the Red Sox.

Sure, they can give it a better effort. And yes, their continued defeats are likely affecting they way they play in close games, or their focus down the stretch. But does a rotation of Lester, Buchholz, Lackey, Doubront, and Morales sound like a playoff team to you? What about a lineup that includes Pedro Ciriaco, Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish, Jose Iglesias, and the guys above?

So, no, I don't think the team is going to be a serious contender next year if they just tell themselves to try to win a little more. They need to get back to the basics of roster construction, mix in some young guys, figure out how to solve the mess at starting pitching, and above all, be patient. If anything, the expectation that this crew can win next year is a dangerous one. 

Pedro Martinez: "Never let Tek go"

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Pedro Martinez has been in Boston as of late for a few events and during his stay he has talked to every media outlet and he has been nothing but a pleasure. At the latest event, he had a message for Sox management.

ESPN Boston:

Pedro Martinez had a message for the Red Sox on Friday night: They should not cut ties with Jason Varitek. Not now. Not ever.

"If there are any Red Sox management here, you cannot let 'Tek go," Martinez said at a charity dinner in his honor at the Liberty Hotel. "You have to keep him in Boston. He was our head, our captain. He should retire as a member of the Red Sox, and never leave."

I am not sure if Pedro realizes that Varitek is going to be 40 shortly after opening day. He was your head, your captain, but all good things must come to an end. The Sox have given him an invitation to Ft. Myers more for respect than talent. Sure, Tek still feels like he still has it and he can contribute to a major league team, yet he has received no interest around the league. A retirement and a new career path in coaching may come much sooner than desired for Tek.

Verlander's MVP pissed Pedro off

Pedro Martinez made an appearance on WEEI's The Big Show and as usual, he was a delight.

In a conversation that referenced his 1999 season, where Pedro should have won the MVP, he mentioned how he was initially pissed of that Verlander won both the MVP and Cy Young awards.

“I was kind of pissed off at first [when Verlander won the MVP], but then I went to realize that they are the [voters] are going to have to live with that label on their back. If anyone calls them prejudice or racist for not voting for me, everyone will have to understand that it’s their responsibility for not voting for me at that time,” said Martinez. “I feel kind of bad, but at the same time, I was really happy that the pitchers who really deserved it like Justin finally got the monkey off their backs, that a pitcher can have such an impact on his team that he probably deserves the MVP sometimes.

For those who do not remember that season, Alex Speier pointed out some mind blowing stats Pedro put up in '99.  Martinez went 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts...Mind Blown!

There is a lot of great material from that interview and I urge everyone to check it out. I will point out one other statement that I loved. Pedro was asked if he was every tempted to take steroids and here is he reasoning not to.

No. No. Because when I was in Triple-A, I was told that I was too small, that I was too fragile to pitch in the big leagues in the Dodgers organization. Back then, I felt tempted. One of my teammates said, ‘I have a doctor, if you want to go and get a shot and get whatever and get big…’ He never gave me details. I asked him what would happen. How would that work? He specifically said that there are certain areas of a man that will get damaged. As soon as he said that, I said, ‘No. There’s no way that I will go for that.’

Gotta give the man credit. He chose to protect his junk rather than pad the stat sheet. That reason alone should turn any man off to taking them. I'd rather have a Bill Mueller career than a Barry Bonds and be left with everything un-altered. In Pedro's case, everything is in-tact and he is still a legend. Bravo.