The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

[Rover]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

Apparently you don't know about Crane Kenney, the Cubs' current President. It's not just about who you're bringing in, it's about who you get to replace.

Truthfully I don't know anything about the Cubs front office situation. I'm more commenting on Epstein's abilities. He struggled recently as GM with despite league's second highest payroll and the ability to throw big dollars at draft picks to buy out their college scholarships and get them signed (a recent bit I heard on the radio had him admitting that the team could throw first round money at third round picks to increase their chances of finding a star. Most teams can't do that. I'm guessing in Chicago he'll be asked to rebuild the farm system as well as pick up some free agents. That ought to be taking up all of his time, not including club President duties too. Mind you he tried this already in Boston after the first WS where he wanted to report directly to the owner and essentually be a peer of club President Larry Lucchino. He was told no and left Fenway dressed in a gorilla suit to avoid the press (no joke) after which he quit for a few months before coming to his senses.

[NMU8405]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

5 years, 20 million for Theo and the Cubs.

[Priceless]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

The Red Sox organization really sunk low leaking this garbage to the press about Francona. It's obvious now why he was in such a hurry to get out of town. He was distracted by marital trouble and prescription drug abuse? That's hitting way below the belt.

It turns out the Marlins had problems with Beckett drinking in the clubhouse before, to the extent that manager Jack McKeon had to have the clubhouse locked and kept bathroom passes in the dugout. Apparently the Yankees lost the World Series to a bunch of Little Leaguers.

Those on Twitter who follow both Heidi Watney and Joe Hagerty got to see two members of the media go at it in public, with Hagerty questioning Watney's integrity and her retorting, "I don't report gossip/rumors Joe... how's that for integrity." I'm hoping it will devolve into a brawl, but seeing as Hags works for CSN and Watney for NESN, there'd probably be a war over who gets the TV rights to the fight.

[joecct]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

Priceless

Isn't that the recent (since Harrington) modus operandi for the Red Sox?? When somebody leaves or is about to be shown the door, the press gets all sorts of dirt on (real or whatever) on that person?? Ones that come quickly to mind:
Mo and the Foxy Lady and the accident
Nomar and bad attitude
etc
etc

[The Freds]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

As a Sox fan its a shame to see the organization in such condition. Wasn't it John Henry who took the Florida Marlins to the top and then into the abyss.

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

I wonder if the Sox's newspaper The Globe will have a hatchet piece on Theo ready?

[mookie1995]

I wonder if the Sox's newspaper The Globe will have a hatchet piece on Theo ready?

orgy with pearl jam & their groupies.
drugs.

can't wait!!

[SteveF]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

orgy with pearl jam & their groupies.
drugs.

can't wait!!

did you intentionally omit peter gammons because you were including him in 'groupies'?

[NMU8405]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

Pathetic and classless by the front office of the Red Sox. Francona went out with class, and didn't say a word about what was really happening with the team and the players. I really hope he writes a tell all book and throws some people under the bus.

Now onto the field. Changes are coming. Lackey needs to go. Plain and simple. Youk is also on his way out I believe. Factor that in with Drew's 14 million dollar contract off the books, and Ortiz looking elsewhere...sign Puljos.

[Priceless]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

Papi wants out. Says there is too much drama. Wants to go to the Yankees. Because when I think of serenity, I think of New York City. Any chance they take Beckett and Lackey as well?

Players that need to retire: Wake, Tek
Players that need to go: Lackey, Beckett, Youkilis
New Captain: Pedroia

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

ESPN has a story on Ortiz saying he's not sure he wants to be a part of the circus anymore, and while he doesn't say he is looking to sign with that hated team down 95, he does say he'll be looking at it and he's only heard good things about them.

I'll be the first fan from there saying I hope he doesn't jump to that 'other' team.

[Rover]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

The Red Sox organization really sunk low leaking this garbage to the press about Francona. It's obvious now why he was in such a hurry to get out of town. He was distracted by marital trouble and prescription drug abuse? That's hitting way below the belt.

It turns out the Marlins had problems with Beckett drinking in the clubhouse before, to the extent that manager Jack McKeon had to have the clubhouse locked and kept bathroom passes in the dugout. Apparently the Yankees lost the World Series to a bunch of Little Leaguers.

Loved the Jack McKeon story. That's what the Sox need in their next manager. Some old crank who's not afraid to take a bat to a player to make a point. I can totally see that old geezer doing that and good for him.

Regarding the anti-Francona stories, I too am getting a little concerned that we're sliding back into the Dan Duquette era of media wars against departed Red Sox personnel. The marital stuff and the rumors about the pills were way out of bounds for a guy who's no longer with the team. Francona is gone because he couldn't control a bunch of a-holes in the clubhouse. That's not necessarily his fault, but the cold hard reality is that you need someone who can. All the rest of this is fluff/nonsense. Who gets chosen as the next manager is crucial. I don't want a statsnerd. I want someone who will kick some tail when its called for (and that will be needed a lot next year).

Regarding Sox moves, if Ortiz wants out, see ya. I like the guy but somebody not happy here will not play well. Kinda a wimp out on his part that he can't change the clubhouse atmosphere himself as he's twice as big as the rest of the team but whatever. I would absolutely sign Papelbon back as Bard is not ready to be closer and Papelbon (along with Pedroia) is one of the few players who gave 100% on this team this year. Lackey needs to be demoted to the minors as a lesson to everyone else that the size of your contract does not dictate playing time. There's no possible way to get rid of him so this is the next best thing. Varitek is out. He's useless and Lavanway can do that job better and cheaper. Give Dustin the C.

Before I did anything more radical like dealing Beckett, I'd really want to see how the new manager handles the team. A guy like him (as well as Lester and Buchholz) could benefit greatly from the right supervision. Regarding Wakefield, I could see a spot for him. Next year's rotation is Beckett-Lester-Buchholz-Aceves-???). He can do spot starter/long relief duties and eat up some innings.

[Priceless]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

Michael Schur over at Grantland has a few words for whoever it was that gave the story to the Boston Globe

I'd like to briefly address the complete moron in the Red Sox organization who insinuated to a reporter that Terry Francona had a problem with prescription pills.

Dear Moron,

Congratulations! You have just (a) attacked the best and most popular manager your team has ever had while (b) displaying a complete lack of institutional loyalty, which (c) pretty much guarantees that no one in his right mind will want to manage your team now, and (d) turned everyone against each other causing (e) massive paranoia which will undoubtedly lead to (f) a thousand more stories about how dysfunctional your organization is, which will only intensify the ill effects of (b,c,d,e). You are the worst person in the world. Quit.

For future reference, you ****ing moron, when the greatest manager in the history of your team leaves, under any circumstances, you say the following: "He did a wonderful job for us, for many years, and we wish him only the best." You do not insinuate to a reporter that he had a drug problem or that he was distracted by a failing marriage. This is true whether or not he actually did have a drug problem, by the way. It's 100 percent irrelevant. You take the high road. Do I really need to explain this to you, you ****ing moron?

(more at link)

[mookie1995]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

so theo may be staying?!?!?! alright!!!

[joecct]

Re: The 2011 Boston Red Sox: This Space for Rent

so theo may be staying?!?!?! alright!!!

Nope! He's gone cubbing.