Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino chatted with Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com yesterday and informed Edes that his club and designated hitter David Ortiz have continued to work on an extension over the past few weeks. Ortiz himself told Edes that things were looking good in extension talks, and Edes feels that there's "little doubt" the two parties will agree on a new contract, perhaps before the end of Spring Training.
More news and rumors out of the AL East as you gear up for the weekend…
- MLB.com's Phil Rogers takes a look at Grady Sizemore's remarkable Spring Training, noting that the former Indians All-Star is improbably closing in on a job as Boston's Opening Day center fielder. Rogers offers several quotes from manager John Farrell, who was the Indians' director or player development when Sizemore was working his way through their minor league ranks.
- Stephania Bell of ESPN.com reports that Dr. Neal ElAttrache has lifted all physical restrictions for Orioles third baseman Manny Machado in his rehab from last season's knee injury. Machado has been slowed a bit by mild calf and hamstring strains but is nonetheless free to proceed to the final stages of his rehab. Opening Day is still questionable for the 2013 All-Star, however.
- Orioles manager Buck Showalter was irritated that ESPN received quotes from ElAttrache before the doctor had relayed the information to himself and the team, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Connolly adds that the Orioles might keep Machado playing in minor league games so they can increase the amount of at-bats he gets and also back-date a potential DL stint earlier so that he can be activated before the 15th day of the regular season if ready.
- Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette tells MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski that he's proud of his scouting and player development departments, as they've taken a bottom-three farm system and progressively improved it. Asked if he felt that the club's core players would be homegrown five years from now, Duquette said, "That is the only way to do it. I don't know any other way to do it."
- After arriving to camp late due to a visa issue, Juan Carlos Oviedo threw a simulated game to live hitters yesterday, according to MLB.com's Bill Chastain. However, Rays manager Joe Maddon still thinks it could be a long-shot for Oviedo to make the club. Said Maddon: "It became obvious, in spite of the fact that he's throwing the ball well, what really comes rushing to your mind is this guy hasn't been pitching in a while. … And so now you're going to rush him back under these circumstances? It might not be a good idea."
Personally I am really hoping Sizemore gets the starting job over JBJ because if he can be half of what he was in 2005-08 then that is 3.3 WAR and 15 HR and 15 steals with good D and average.
Plus it would be an amazing story and JBJ can get more seasoning in AAA until an injury strikes Sizemore or Victroino.
It is the best short term and long term solution in my opinion. Of course it all depends on Sizemore staying healthy.
Manchado is making a speedy recovery, I hope he doesn’t rush it too much.
If Sizemore is the Opening Day CFer, is JBJ on the bench or does he start the year in AAA?
AAA for sure.
Looks like JBJ’s hitting could use some work, he’s best off getting regular ABs in the minors than riding the pine in the majors.
So basically you;re saying the Sox should rely on Sizemore and earlier you think that’s better then resigning Ellsbury? Good luck Boston trying to get back to the postseason.
DFA
Well played….
The Sox are going to miss Ellsbury.
Sizemore, JBJ, + 150 million > Ellsbury
150 MM does help the franchise in the long run but 150 MM in the bank doesn’t help the team on the field one bit in 2014. From a performance standpoint Ells will be missed.
Im not saying that BOS should have matched NYY’s contract but simply that Ells will be a more productive player in 2014 than JBJ/Sizemore.
Yeah he will be missed on the field no doubt but maybe not so much if JBJ and Sizemore can provide a good combination. And he won’t be missed enough to justify matching the Yankees contract offer.
Depends on whether or not he stays on the field. He’s already having MRIs on his calf and he’s been an every other year type player for awhile now.
For a big market team trying to make it to the playoffs it hurts. If I’m a GM trying to repeat, I wouldn’t want to rely on JBJ and Sizemore. I bet he would have stayed in Boston for less then 150.
I do believe it was “of player development” and not or. (:
Please stay healthy Sizemore (from a baseball fan, not Red Sox)
Can Oviedo be sent down to Durham or does his contract prohibit?