Red Sox GM Ben Cherington appeared on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan radio show this morning to discuss his club, and WEEI.com's Jerry Spar has the partial transcript…
- Cherington said he still believes his team is in playoff contention and can raise their level of play, though he admitted, "it's an unusual position for us to be in. That's the truth. Our approach at the deadline most every year that I've been here in the front office has been pretty clear. We're trying to improve the team. This deadline is going to take more of a nuanced approach, but we're certainly still focused on 2012 and doing everything we can to win as many games as we can this year."
- The Red Sox are talking to other teams about starting pitching, though Cherington sounded doubtful given the "seller's market" for available top arms.
- Josh Beckett has not been asked about waiving his 10-5 rights, nor have the Sox discussed dealing Beckett with another team. "Taking Josh Beckett off this team is not necessarily improving things," Cherington said. "We need to add, we need to improve the rotation, if anything — improve internally or add to the rotation. I think we're sort of stuck in neutral if we start taking guys out of the rotation who are good major league pitchers."
- The team hasn't talked to Jacoby Ellsbury about a contract extension, echoing what Ellsbury's agent Scott Boras said last month. Ellsbury will be a free agent after the 2013 season and it's hard to gauge what an extension for the center fielder would look like, given his injury-plagued 2010 and 2012 seasons sandwiched around a stellar 2011 campaign. Cherington said other teams have inquired about Ellsbury though the Sox have no interest in trading him.
- Cherington said it makes little sense to move struggling veterans as the Sox wouldn't be able to recoup proper value in a trade. "The secondary point, the last thing a GM ever wants to do is sell low," Cherington said. "If we are ever going to consider trading a player, doing it at a time when a guy isn't performing doesn't help your cause." Cherington admitted the Sox have made such sell-low trades before, possibly in reference to the Kevin Youkilis deal.
Realistically who do the Red Sox take out of their rotation if they make a trade? Beckett and Lester are the weak links but they are the vets who’ve been consistent for many years, yet Lester especially is killing the team right now. It’s a tough decision that I wouldn’t like to make. They really need starting pitching, but the biggest upgrade would be the “leaders” of the staff stepping up and actually earning their paychecks.
This is pretty much exactly the issue. Although Cook’s last couple of outings haven’t been anything to write home about. (Of course I’d just swap him out for Morales.)
As much as I hate to say it, right now is the time to sell any pieces we can get a good prospect for and look to future seasons.
Aaron Cook has quite possibly the oddest stat line of all time. Things could get ugly for him pretty soon, but still it’s not like simply replacing him would solve all their woes. Lots of issues for them right now.
Most of it is just inconsistency a they have a positive run differential. This makes me think the problem isn’t talent but rather some psychological problem with either the players or management.
Someone is in denial
I hate to comment on my own comments, however for you guys, I will go off the record and give you some information.
I wont call out people by name but:
Bosh Jeckett sucks the life out of this team and I wish I could move him.
Lonny Jester has lost all confidence and honestly we do not know what to do with him
Carl Crawfish is a great person and would love to have him for 12mm per yr. At 20, ah theo what were you thinking?
As for my Valentine, sigh, thanks Luchiny.
Anyways, this is all i have time for. Remember guys, lets keep this between each other, if the players hear about this, they might….well, who cares!!
I wish I could upvote this a thousand times.
The best news the Red Sox heard this year. Their mascot is okay!
Rickey Nolasco for Josh Beckett! Return Beckett to Miami (and the NL)!
No just no. Nolasco’s not pitching well now either. How does that help?
it helps by getting out of beckett’s contract
i’m apparently one of the few boston fans that still likes beckett and wants him kept, but i’d entertain a nolasco swap so that 1) the money could be used elsewhere and 2) the boston derp squad would lose their favorite scapegoat