Cody Ross is open to discussing an extension with the Red Sox before he hits free agency in six weeks or so. But he knows what he’ll be looking for if he does reach the open market. The 31-year-old told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that his top priority will be joining a contender.
“Number one this season is probably going to be winning,” he told Bradford. “I’m to that point where I want to win.”
Ross noted that he’ll also take into account role, location, and length and value of contract when weighing offers. The Red Sox have exclusive negotiating rights with Ross until five days after the World Series ends.
The SFX client has a .274/.339/.500 batting line with 21 home runs and 32 doubles in 479 plate appearances for Boston this year. He has played all three outfield positions and continues to thrive against left-handed pitching (11 home runs, .313/.398/.670 batting line). Ross suggested that he can repeat — and even improve upon — these numbers.
“I’m me now. This is me now. What I’m doing this year. This is me,” Ross said.
Alternate headline: guy with inconsistent career having career year would like pay rate calculated on that, instead of career numbers.
Career year? Hardly. He put up likewise identical numbers in ’08-09, just didn’t at SF from 10-11, where hardly anyone hits for power.
But No. 1 this season is probably going to be winning. I’m to that point where I want to win. I am a little surprised he feels this way, he did win a World Series with the Giants!
As far as I am concerned he was the number 1 reason why the Giants were playing Super Baseball. Anyway, I still think Cody Ross is awesome and he’s one of my favorite ball players that isn’t on the Orioles. If the Red Sox don’t want him back, I could see where the Phillies would be interested.
PS
“I’m me now. This is me now. What I’m doing this year. This is me,” Ross said.
I am glad he cleared this up for me.
Just because he won one World Series already doesn’t mean that winning isn’t going to be his primary focus now. That’s how every player should be really.
He has never won a ring as he was never himself until this season,
Anything more than 1 year at $5/$6 million with an option for a second is insanity. Still can’t hit RHP worth a darn and his home/road splits vs righties are totally jaw dropping. He’s a really, really good platoon option playing in an extremely friendly park. The overwhelming majority of his value is tied up in Fenway – of which the Red Sox already own. No point in paying for it twice.
A nice fourth OF – 3 to 4M 1 year with option. Forget the winning line – it is all about $$$
Hes not a fourth outfielder and he is getting more than that.
On a last place team – Teams like the Red Sox must over pay for Ross type players.
The Red Sox might be in last place but they aren’t a last place team talent wise. Ross has become a fan favorite and fenway is a perfect park for him. Lots of perks for him to come back, don’t see why the red sox would have to overpay…especially if you consider him a 4th outfielder.
Last place team = last place talent – get real
Red Sox hating troll? I think so…
no a white sox fan – just take a look a your team – they are bad no SS, 1b, 3b, and of – pitching name a game Red Sox are bad
Hmm…ellsbury was injured, middlebrooks and ortiz too. First few months they led the majors in runs scored. Lester should bounce back and buchholz has been great recently. They only have holes because of the trade but they will be addressed on the off-season.
ok dream – its a bad team
Dream what? That’s all true…clay threw 7 shutout innings tonight and has been one of the best pitchers over the last month.
teams bad period. can clay start 90 games next year
Got your best troll face on?
3 years, $20MM should be a layup for Cody. Certainly worth that to the Red Sox, who badly need a RH OF.
Not gonna happen
OK, good to know. Thanks.
But seriously, he will get at least that as a FA.
I see NO reason why he won’t get 3 years for at least 20 mil.
Totally agree, BoSox. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get up to 3/24. How many right-handed hitting OF with OPS over .830 are available? Zero, unless you count the tainted, switch-hitting Melky Cabrera. Nice timing for free agent starters, 1Bs and OFs.
I’d love to see the Red Sox bring Ross back. The FA outfielders list for this offseason isn’t exactly inspiring, and Cody’s seemed pretty comfortable in Boston this year.
Cody Ross did win! Best W.S. EVER! :o)
Atlanta already offered him a chance to win. Even two years of it.
I’m sure a lot of players would like to think their stats at Fenway in an above average lineup represent them accurately as a player.
It would appear that Cody Ross’s first and last sentences in the above piece are a contradiction. He can’t want to play for a contender but then consider signing with the Red Sox as a free agent. They are mutually exclusive, in my opinion.
Looking at his stats, I would say that it was not a career year but a Fenway year. Plus, he’s killing LHP, which is in line with his career, 2011 was uncharacteristic in that he wasn’t that much better vs. LHP than RHP.
If I were him, I would want to resign with the Red Sox, contending or not, because his offensive value will be more likely to be shown at this park.
If he had been willing to sign for sign for this same amount with the Giants, he probably would have been resigned instead of the Pagan trade, I think. Lucky for us, Ross held out for more and ended up with Boston.
Well if he wants to join a contender, then it doesn’t look like he will return to Boston as of right now. But there is a whole offseason for this.
NO ONE is gonna pick them to win the AL East next year, that’s for sure. And I wouldn’t put money on them making the WC either. But the Boston Red Sox will ALWAYS be “contenders” in the true sense of the term. Anyone who doesn’t recognize that fact is fooling themselves.
It’s like that Joe Maddon theory about how the final level of baseball player maturity is just focusing on winning.
it can’t be JUST winning because then 2/3s of the teams would never sign free agents
jjs was being silly chief.
he is him now
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
Yet Maddon has had characters like Elijah Dukes, Delmon Young and BJ Upton on his teams and maturity is the very last thing they possess.
Maddon has no control over what players he gets.