On to the questions while I count the minutes to be introduced up-close with a venomous snake …
Cross-promotion alert! Check out the story in the Eagle-Tribune today on the Curt Schilling situation. Brett Close, the president of Green Monster Games, has an intersting take.
- A lot of questions have revolved around the Schilling situation. Just to answer all them in one hit: True, the market value for a pitcher like Schilling is around what he is asking right now. But that’s not how the Red Sox are looking at it. They want to use this season to get some cost certainty, and if Schilling does pitch like a pitcher who will get between $15-17 million than Boston has already made out. They got a superior season from the pitcher, who clearly would like to be here, and if they have to sign him for a few million more for one year than they probably view it as worth it to get a better gauge on his effectiveness going forward. And two years from now Jon Lester is going to be ready to step into a relied-upon role, while Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Jonathan Papelbon could all be ready to inhabit into the top-of-the-rotation apartment Schilling has occupied the last few years.
- Dear Gyroball - I would be also wrestling with my own self-worth if I were you right now, as well. Matsuzaka basically said that he would like to throw it, but that doesn’t mean he does throw it or that it exists. Craig Shipley and Jon Deeble, who both have more knowledge regarding Matsuzaka than anybody in the organization, insists it doesn’t exist. To me, using the Internet video streams, it looks kind of like people want to see the Loch Ness Monster when all it is is five oil drums. I see a tight breaking ball that gives a lot of reporters something to write about.
- Mike Timlin underwent a bit more regimented workout program this offseason, strengthening some parts of his arm which didn’t seem to bounce back after coming off the disabled list in early June. Also, I think that Timlin, and J.C. Romero are relieved in the sense that they can lock into a regular spring training routine, and not adjust to the World Baseball Classic schedule.
- Jeff Natale is slated right now to start the year at second base, although the organization isn’t ruling out an eventual move to third.
- The Red Sox still get the draft pick for Keith Foulke. Not a bad deal for Boston.
- Prospects like Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Bryce Cox are all here. Yesterday, for example, the youngsters all took the field after the big leaguers were finished. Right now, as I write this, Coco Crisp is just feet away hitting with Ellsbury in the batting cages. The majority of the players referenced will be making somewhat regular appearances in the late innings during spring training games.
- One question revolved around the team valuing performance after the first year of being in Boston. This is something I think that has back-fired in the past, not taking into account enough that a player can thrive in this atmosphere. I’m not saying that it should be the deciding factor, but clearly some are cut out for the scene better than others (see Johnny Damon). That said, I do think that a guy like Coco Crisp will have a much better season, and not only because of his improved health. He knows what to expect, and the expectations are much lower.
Keep the questions coming … short workout day today so I should have more time to answer.
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