Links from the AL East before some of the division's top pitchers – Josh Beckett, C.C. Sabathia and Ricky Romero – start for their respective teams…
- Red Sox owner John Henry told John Tomase of the Boston Herald that chatter about GM Theo Epstein and the Cubs shows "how highly regarded Theo is by the media and baseball in general.”
- Prospective free agent David Ortiz tells Yahoo’s Jeff Passan that his ability to tune criticism out helps him perform on the field. “I’m not a five-tool player. I may be a two-tool player. But one of them tools is this one right here,” he said, pointing to his head.
- Bartolo Colon has slowed down, so the Yankees figure to rely on Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova more than ever, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes.
- MLB players consider Joe Maddon of the Rays the manager they'd most like to play for, according to a recent Sports Illustrated poll. Red Sox manager Terry Francona placed second in the poll and Yankees manager Joe Girardi placed seventh. Having a popular manager in place no doubt helps teams trying to attract free agents or sign players to long-term extensions.
I figured Girardi would be lower on the list than that
No matter what…it’s still the Yankees.
Perhaps Sergio Mitre was able to vote multiple times.
Can you please clarify which head Ortiz was pointing to?
Weak.
Hahaha..
Ortiz actually pointed to his very tool-esque chin strap when he was talking about “tools,” not his head.
David Ortiz’s most used tool seems to be his mouth, would be nice to not hear it for at least a week or so.
Did he bad mouth you or something?
Surprised Charlie Manuel is so high on that list. Meaning I would think he would be closer to #1.
Tony La Russa at number 8? huh?
Rasmus’ dad stuffed the ballot.
I don’t have much of an opinion on who players would like to play for, but Maddon certainly seems to be the best at teaching fundamentals and then motivating players to execute them. He has always struck me as a guy who gets a lot out of his team.