Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

Yes, it is true. David Ortiz woke up this morning and was presented with a brand new Toyota Truck by the Red Sox ownership group. (An interesting choice considering Boston is aligned with Ford and Volvo.) It was a nice gesture, but not out of the ordinary considering Ortiz is going to continue to be a bargain ($12.5 million a year through 2010) while lesser players are signed for bigger bucks. When asked of the what-might-have-been contract situation, Ortiz just put his fingers in his ears pretending not to hear the question.

Ortiz and the rest of the position players went through strength and conditioning coach David Page’s torture chamber of athletic achievement. Everybody lived.

I found it interesting that Sox minor league pitching instructor Goose Gregson said that Daisuke Matsuzaka was the fastest he has ever seen in reacting off the mound to cover first base. It is a skill which obviously is drilled into Japanese baseball players early on. One adjustment because of the Japanese pitchers’ backgrounds is on rundowns. Gregson said that the Japanese are so usually so efficient in their rundown situations that few throws are required. Here the hurlers might have to stay with the play a bit longer.

The word of the day: “Accountable.”

In their gathering with the media, general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona often used the word to explain what will be expected of Manny Ramirez when he shows up March 1. (Just in case you didn’t know, Manny isn’t showing up until March 1.) Theo went to the word extensively, explaining “It’s how we hold every single player and we don’t want it to be different with any player.” Francona followed by saying that all 59 players have been met with individually and the word of the day has been used each time.

According to Boston.com, there is a chance of a Manny sighting this weekend in Atlantic City, where a Philadelphia-area radio station is advertising an appearance by Ramirez and Reggie Jackson at a classic car auction. Stay tuned.

Onto the questions:
- I will try and weave my Japanese into a question for Daisuke. We will do that tomorrow. Until then I will say that the word out of Seattle is that if the Mariners don’t find a way to contend, Ichiro isn’t hanging around.

- Drew is going to wear No. 7, and Manny Delcarmen is switching to No. 17. (Just wanted to give the daily number update.)

- In terms of the Ortiz truck, wouldn’t you want to keep him happy without having to re-negotiating that contract.

- Pedroia’s bat speed has apparently picked up a click due to his new conditioning. I believe Dustin is pretty locked in to second, with Cora as the backup plan. I also have a feeling with the strength of the lineup Pedroia is going to surprise some people.

- The Rays have a ton of outfield talent, but have problems in too many other places. They have a bit of Boston-itis (no closer, unless you count Seth McClung), and other than Scott Kazmir the rotation is far too young. I will say that Joe Maddon is one of my favorite managers. The problem is that Maddon’s biggest challenge might be just changing the attitude that has permeated through the organization. Of course a standout No. 2 starter would help their frame of mind.

- As for Baltimore, until Peter Angelos steps out of the way it’s going to be tough. For instance, they had a deal signed, sealed and delivered involving Brian Roberts and a pitcher (Daniel Cabrera, I think) for Adam LaRoche and Marcus Giles. But Angelos stepped in and turned it down, reportedly because Roberts was his favorite player. Jim Duquette has his hands full.

- The Jays really had to sign Vernon Wells because when you have a player like that getting full value is never likely in any trade. I’ve been a big fan of the people in the Jays organization ever since following them for the critically-acclaimed novelette Chasing Steinbrenner (in bookstores now … somewhere). I think they could rival both the Sox and Yanks for most potent lineup if Frank Thomas repeats last year. Toronto was convinced Thomas was worth the money when the found out Oakland, his team last year, was offering similar numbers. The concern with the Jays is Burnett’s health, having a Marcum, McGowan, Thomson, or Okha step up, and overcome perhaps the slowest lineup in the league.

- Ellsbury obviously jumps up as the one most likely to infiltrate the starting lineup. David Murphy I think can be a good player, but with the commitment to Drew it will be tough to ever find a regular spot. Jason Place, the kid they drafted last year, has the potential to boast the kind of offensive talent the farm system was sorely lacking. In terms of corner spots, Chad Spann might be the best name to throw out, but I think that was the thinking with the Helton trade. They realize they need someone to hold down the other side from Youkilis. This is why letting Ryan Shealy slip out of their grasps two trade deadlines ago was, in my mind, a big loss.

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