What a day!
Feb 21st, 2007 by Rob Bradford
The perfect storm hit this morning on the banks of Edison Ave. … no media availability before workouts (allowing to sleep an extra hour) and it the thermometer didn’t read 43 degrees when I woke up. This will be my last weather reference, I promise, but I it is unbelievable how waiting for a press conference in 50 degrees here seems worse than filling up my gas tank in 10 degrees back home.
Let me get to some of the questions since all there is to report thus far is that David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, and Alex Cora (but no Manny) are around, and the pitchers and catchers continue to put their sun block/80 mph straight balls to work in the relaxed setting.
I still can’t believe that the Helton deal is 100 percent dead as it made too much sense for both teams. Any chance of this resurfacing before the start of the season?
Perhaps, but Colorado would have to take on more money. The 50 percent figure wasn’t accurate, and figuring out who would be third player after Tavarez and Lowell was also a huge issue. Talked to Lowell yesterday and he is kind of of the same mind as Mark Loretta last year in that he really, really wants to stay beyond this year. Lowell accepted his fate when hearing the trade rumors, but wasn’t thrilled despite potentially getting the chance to ride out his contract year in Coors Field. His workout regimen this season included boxing … what am I doing, you’re going to have read the rest today in the Eagle-Tribune.
I have a question that’s been bugging me for a few days. Maybe you can shed some light on it. I’ve heard whispers from Gammons and other pretty knowledgeable sources that the Red Sox are displeased with Schilling’s conditioning entering spring training this year. Now, I know Schill will never be a male model and that he’s pitched with that thick midsection for years, but I do think he looks a bit huskier this year than I previously recalled. Seeing as he’s looking for an extension, I was wondering if you’d heard anything about the Red Sox’s take on his physique.
I know this has been a big topic, but I honestly don’t see it. Put it this way - Schilling executed the fielding drills yesterday better than any of the other members in the rotation. His side to side mobility wasn’t affected, and neither has his stuff thus far. In terms of a contract going forward, I think they know what they are going to get with Curt. Ask the question again at end of March and we will have a better gauge.
I saw a blurb this offseason that the Sox planned to use Ortiz at 1B a little more this year, with Manny DH’ing a little more, and Wily Mo playing LF. It seemed that this was an idea to get Wily Mo more at-bats I’m wondering if you’ve heard of any such thing?
Check back today. I could give an answer, but I want to be sure. I’ll respond to this and the query about catcher Jon Still this afternoon.
Can you clarify that Allard Baird thing? Are you saying Matsuzaka’s curveball is as good/better than Gordon’s… according to Baird’s scale?
Sorry, I probably didn’t explain it well. Baird was saying that it is probably best that you don’t see the best of something (ie, Gordon’s curveball) as your first point of reference when you have to compare others to it. In terms of Matsuzaka, the standard he has set this camp is in the long-toss, where he impressed by the distance of his better than 250-feet toss.
Has Curt Schilling come in way out of shape? You may have addressed this already, but I have heard that in more than one place.
Again, I think that is over-blown. I know, despite running 17 miles (marathon stuff) the other day, I feel like I came in out of shape. Then again, there is no really good training for standing hours at a time in flip-flops.
With all the talk of who the closer is going to be, I haven’t heard much talk of the Red Sox maybe trading for say Chad Cordero. I know Jim Bowden likes Willy Mo Pena, so maybe they could get something done.
This might be something that unfolds around the time of the Bronson Arroyo trade last year, if anything does transpire. Theo was told by Billy Beane a long time ago that one of the most important traits in building a team is not to get carried away with spring training in terms of panicking. In this case, and in the case of the Arroyo deal, this more about the potential upgrade than it is worrying about the performance of one of the closer candidates in the spring.
At spring training in 2003, my white Ford Focus rental died on Edison Ave., which would’ve been OK if it there wasn’t a monsoon-like rain at the time. Keep on truckin — and bloggin.
I’m falling love with the Kia. I’m bringing window cranks back.
I know there is more, but I have to go. I will answer some more this afternoon, along with giving you an update on Francona, Ortiz, Drew press conferences … thanks for your patience.
