In his latest column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe discussed the role of former Red Sox advisor Jeremy Kapstein. Newly installed club president Dave Dombrowski did not extend Kapstein’s contract. The former player agent had worked with the Red Sox for 14 years as a senior advisor of baseball projects. Kapstein once represented a number of top players and was among the first to use statistics in arbitration cases. He’ll seek a new role elsewhere.
Here’s more from the column:
- Freshly minted first base and outfield coach Ruben Amaro Jr. is already familiar with many of Boston’s outfielders. While with the Phillies, he pursued Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and prospect Manuel Margot in trade negotiations for Cole Hamels. Former Phillies closer Brad Lidge noted that Amaro was comfortable spending time in the clubhouse with players, so he should adjust well to his new role.
- Don Mattingly is the Marlins eighth manager in the last six seasons. The last manager, Dan Jennings, was recently let go after he was told he would return to his former job as GM. The club owes him about $2MM. Mattingly is said to have agreed to a four-year deal although financial details have yet to be disclosed. Marlins fans may recall the four-year, $10MM contract signed by Ozzie Guillen prior to 2012. It serves as a warning to Mattingly that a long term of contract or high AAV will not ensure job security in Miami.
- As reported earlier this week, Ben Cherington has joined the sports management program at Columbia University. That hasn’t stopped the Pirates from pursuing him for a front office role. Cafardo wonders if Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro might show interest too. In my opinion, the Blue Jays job might not be a fit since Cherington walked away from a similar situation in Boston.
- One AL executive worries about Ben Zobrist’s age. “Ben is 35 years old. He keeps in great shape and does the job, but he’s not someone you’re going to devote big dollars to over a long-term deal.” Of course, his agent, Alan Nero, believes a three or four-year deal should be well within reach. Nero and the Royals have not discussed an extension.
- The Orioles will bring back pitching coach Dave Wallace. According to a source, manager Buck Showalter asked him to stay. The Orioles pitching staff had a rough season after outperforming their peripherals for a few years. Free agent Wei-Yin Chen will be difficult to replace if he signs elsewhere. The club also has to carefully manage top prospect Dylan Bundy. He’s missed most of the last three seasons after making a couple relief appearances as a 19-year-old in 2012. He’ll be out of options.
- Team sources label Gabe Kapler has the leading candidate for the Dodgers managerial job. Kapler “speaks the same language” as president Andrew Friedman and they have an established working relationship. While Kapler has not managed in the majors, he “drew rave reviews” while managing with the Red Sox Single-A affiliate.
The Sox players should prank Amaro by having JBJ question him as why he didn’t think he was enough for Cole Hamels. That’s going to be a weird clubhouse dynamic.
I can just picture that pest Shaugnesy on the 1st day of spring training with a microphone stuck in his face asking him how and why negotiations failed and which one(s) he was mainly targeting..
That guy shaugnesy needs to be chased away with a can of Raid whenever he shows up. Just a pest That scurries about from corner to corner.
For what it’s worth, I’m predicting a funky off-season for the Sox, which would probably include trading Bradley. Jackie’s success came after Lovullo took the reins. Reverting back to Farrell probably means Bradley would be back to defensive replacement/pinch-runner status. I just don’t see Farrell’s confidence increasing.
I hate that idea. Please don’t hire another unproven manager. And please don’t hire a spearhead junky – we have enough of them in the front office.
Man, I’d love to have Cherington join the Pirate front office.
maybe they could then trade for Sandoval. do you think Kang can learn to play OF?
Kang isn’t going to be playing for awhile in 2016, then neither is Pittsburgh ever going to consider taking on that contract, even if Sandoval had produced last year.
Only team that still makes sense for a bad swap from both prospective is the padres. SD really needs a 3b (still) and Boston isn’t going to move him for a bad deal guy involving one of the even worse numerous OF and IF floating around the league. People with no upside, or chance of righting the ship. Sandoval *might* have 1-2 years of half way respectable ball left in him, same with James Shields, only not sure how it would work at Fenway. Chances are better than Sandoval performing over the next 4 years. I’d try to make that swap if was Dombrowski, as long as nobody else is involved prospect wise.
really? you took that seriously? I was referring to the mistakes Cherrington made in Boston. Why would you want him in Pittsburgh where they seem to know how to sign FA’s?
Because in Pitts, he wouldn’t have the money to make such a mistake, but he would have the resources to build a farm system like he built in Boston.
Zobrist to the Yankees. Yankees have the money to pay. Zobrist plays 2B while trying to break in Refsnyder and Pirela. When and if they find a long term solution, Zobrist moves to a utility role or fills in at another position.