Belated takeaways from Sandoval, Ramirez introductions

November 26, 2014

by Dakota Antelman

After signing free agent third basemen, Pablo Sandoval, to a five year $95 million contract, and short stop, Hanley Ramirez, to a $100 million five year deal, the Red Sox front office hosted a press conference Tuesday to introduce the two newcomers.

There was a general aura of excitement in the Red Sox fan base Tuesday that had been present for the majority of the past few weeks. The long played out, highly political, free agent saga that had engulfed the baseball world for the past month had drawn the attention of baseball figures across the country had come to a stunning, climactic close just days before. Suddenly, with the services of two of baseball’s best sluggers, the Sox appeared to be a much better team than they were in September.  

Red Sox owner, John Henry praised management and coaching for luring such prime targets to town.

"If we can win the World Series every other year and finish last every other year, I'd take that,'' Henry said. "It has been a roller coaster, I can't deny that, but when you have a bad year, like you did this year, just like in 2012, you're determined to rebuild quickly, and I think Ben has taken tremendous steps to do that.”

Beyond Henry however, the main focus Tuesday was on the players who were being introduced as well as the current Red Sox they would soon be playing alongside.

Beginning with the players introduced, character issues were a topic given a large amount of discussion time

Though each powerful in their swings and legendary in their place in baseball history, Sandoval and Ramirez each have personal issues that have been assuredly and loudly pointed out since their singing.

For Sandoval, commitment has been a struggle for much of his career. Standing five feet, 11 inches tall, Sandoval weighs in around 245 pounds. His weight has fluctuated since the beginning of his career and, at times, lack of offseason commitment has resulted in decreased mobility in some of his six seasons in baseball.

He addressed those problems head on Tuesday insisting that he wanted to stay at third base rather than DH. To do so, he will have to stay in shape.

 "I’m going to sit down with the strength and conditioning staff, with the training and figure out the best situation," he said. "The organization will choose the program I have if they make an adjustment they’re going to do it because the organization does those things. So we’ll sit down with training staff and talk about that."

Sandoval further elaborated by voicing his understanding of how and why his weight has been a problem.

"I don't take it personal," he said. "I just take it like advice that they gave me. I want to show them that I can be a better player. I learned a lot of things from that, so now I'm showing that I'm in my new organization and I'm going to show that I'm mature and I'm good enough for that challenge.”

The team’s addressing the very blatant issues that Sandoval has dealt with instead of constantly drawing the conference back to what wonderful things he has done hint at a long term commitment to the player. Such a thing is truly positive as Sandoval is already a world class talent that could get even better with training and commitment to a baseball lifestyle.

But they still were not all grim and gloomy. Sandoval’s position was discussed as he also spoke on the fluidity of the game of baseball as it is played in Boston.

"I want a new challenge. I need a new challenge," he said Tuesday during a Fenway Park news conference. "I know that I had a great career in San Francisco. But I'm going to have a new one here."

Sandoval approached Tuesday’s conference with a kind of genuine will to learn this system. He said the things he had to say while meaning the things he wanted to say.

Ramirez, who was introduced a few hours after Sandoval, saw his conference largely centered around where he would play next season.

The discussion was slightly arbitrary and revealed that the Red Sox really are not sure what moves might be made in the coming weeks and months.

"You're always trying to get a sense of where they might fit in," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "We're not even at Thanksgiving yet. The potential for some other additions might exist.”

Ramirez has been suggested as a possible candidate for the Sox left field position. However, there has been growing talk of a blockbuster trade that would move star prospect Xander Bogaerts out of Boston to make room for Ramirez and gain the services of a star pitcher.

Realistically though, the Red Sox are not sure which way they will go.

Beyond position talk, Ramirez’s past connection with the Red Sox organization was also brought up in relation to his ability to bond with current members of the team.

David Ortiz, who was the Red Sox designated hitter the night of Ramirez’ 2005 MLB debut with the Red Sox, has already embraced his being linked with Ramirez and Sandoval by the nickname “the three amigos”.

Ortiz, who has been one of Boston’s most consistent sluggers since his entry onto the team more than a decade ago, ought to recognize the need to develop Sandoval, and ideally Ramirez as well, into similarly capable hitters.

Judging by Ramirez’ antidotal evidence, that is just was Ortiz has tried to do.

"David, he's like my big brother," Ramirez said. "He's texting me pretty much every day and telling me what I've got to do, what I've got to change. I think he's part of my success in the big leagues ... I can't wait to be on the same team with him. It's going to be great."

One big thing that Ramirez has to change is his worrisome propensity to snap per se. After last season’s AJ Pierzynski debacle that ended with him being moved out for disciplinary reasons, the Red Sox need to keep tight reigns on Ramirez and any behavior issues he runs into.

But Boston showed in their recognition of those issues that they are ready to handle Ramirez and are willing to go to great lengths to get the most out of him.

Basically, the main takeaway from the Sandoval/Ramirez introductions is that the Red Sox are willing to address any problems that arise for the sole sake of utilizing the wide array of helpful qualities that the two bring to the team.

Read More

Thoughts on AJ Pierzynski designated for assignment by Red Sox: Interesting move shows Sox have changed plan for 2014

During a weekly interview between WEEI and Red Sox manager John Farrell, the Boston skipper announced that his starting catcher, AJ Pierzynski had been designated for assignment. The decision was not without reason as Pierzynski has tailed off offensively in the past few months but nevertheless, it does tear down a solid plan that was set forth going into this season. 

After the tumultuous defensive collapse suffered by former starting catcher, Jarrod Saltalamaccia last season, the three year veteran of the system was not offered a qualifying offer prior to free agency. Looking for a catcher with better defense than that given by Saltalamaccia, coupled with the same average offence he brought to the table, the Sox went south as they were intrigued by current Rangers catcher: AJ Pierzynski. 

Pierzynski, a 37 year old left handed hitter had logged 15 years of MLB experience playing extensively for the Twins and White Sox and briefly for the Giants and Rangers. In that time, AJ had employed a strong powerful swing to clock an average of more than 60 RBI's a season and assemble a batting average of .282. While those numbers may not be all that impressive when compared to some of the other power hitters the Sox already had, compared to the catcher Pierzynski would eventually replace in Boston, he was not half bad. 

For example, in the 2013 season where AJ played a whopping 119 games, Pierzynski clocked 17 home runs and 77 RBI's for a batting average of .271. Those numbers were actually partially better than those assembled by Saltalamaccia. Playing in 2 more games than AJ, Salty hit 14 home runs, 66 RBI's and assembled a batting average of .273. With nearly identical statistical seasons at the plate, the Sox looked to defense where they quickly saw the subordinate nature of a Saltalamaccia/Pierzynski comparison. 

As good as Salty was for Boston in his few years with the team, Saltalamaccia was never one to gun potential base theifs down at second and in the few times he tried, errors were of commonplace. In 332 games with Boston, Saltalamaccia committed 20 errors, the most infamous of which being the historic botched throw to third base in game three of last year’s World Series that cost the Red Sox a chance for a series lead.  

After the realization that the Sox needed a defensive catcher, Pierzynski was signed. In the same span of time that Saltalamaccia played for the Sox, Pierzynski amassed a caught stealing percentage of .265 as opposed to the 24.7% of runner Saltalamaccia gunned down. For reasons like these, the Sox inked a 1 year 8.25 million dollar deal with AJ that would help them bridge the gap between Saltalamaccia and the barrage of prospects that the teams was developing down in Pawtuket.  

Pierzynski had hit .254 this year in Boston with 4 home runs and just 31 RBI's making 2014 one of his worst offensive seasons on record. While the Sox insisted that Pierzynski's dismissal had more to do with the play of the guys behind him on the depth chart than his, it is no secret that had AJ put up some of the offensive numbers that even a few years ago were normal for him he would still be a Red Sox. 

But what did the Sox have to say about the decision? John Farrell defended the move in the interview with WEEI

"It's an opportunity for us to invest in players that are going to be here beyond 2014," Farrell said "and while there may be other decisions that are forthcoming, we felt like the place we were going to start was behind the plate."  

The Red Sox have gone the route of younger players of late, bumping Brock Holt up full time earlier in the year and then moving Mookie Betts up behind him and will follow the same path as they fill the hole left by Pierzynski. 

For a few years now, the Sox have been eyeing a player who was climbing through their system with grace and great intrigue. That player, Christian Vasquez was promoted today and logged his first start in the MLB Wednesday night against the White Sox. 

"That brings Christian to us, a guy we are high on his abilities, particularly as a defender and his ability to shut down the running game, and someone who continues to develop as an offensive player."

Also, in contrast to the general tension that almost every MLB player had with the fiery AJ Piersynski, much of the team has nothing but good things to say about the young Vasquez. Backup catcher David Ross praised his play back in Spring Training today. 

"I think he's a great young prospect. Love his attitude. He's got a cannon for an arm; you're going to see a kid that can really throw. I'm anxious to be a part of the catching corps with him. I think he's got the mentality. Talking to him in spring training, he cares a lot. He wants to help the pitchers. He's not just about hitting, he's not just about catching, he's about both. I think he's going to be a good bright spot for us."

So what does this all mean? 

Let’s face it, the Sox will not repeat as World Champions this year and we have known that for a long time now. And yet prior to today, it seemed that the Sox were still trying to hold on to the last shreds of their preseason plan for this year. Today they gave it all up by dropping AJ Pierzynski. All and all, the Sox are using the rest of this season to test out their very deep prospect pool. With 5 rookies starting in Wednesday's game, there was no argument in regards to statements like that.

Read More

Red Sox receive World Series rings: In final day of reflection on 2013, the Red Sox act like champions

The sights and sounds buzzing through Fenway Park were of excitement, appreciation and a dash of that lingering pride in the fact that less than 6 months ago, our team, the Boston Red Sox were the first team in the history of baseball to go from last in their division 1 year to World Series Champion the next. 

On this day, April 4th, 2014, the majesty of that triumphant World Series win however was very rapidly melting out of the present and into the past. We had seen the post-game interviews and celebration on October 30th of last year then cheered in delirious unity a few days later when the Championship Parade wound through the streets of Boston raising us up and emphasizing the importance of this season that had possibly been the most important season in Red Sox history. 

And after that we still refused to forget these bearded brothers who had taken over the city in which they lived. We half-jokingly, half actually cried when Johnny Gomes shaved his beard prior to Spring Training while we celebrated when Mike Napoli resigned with the team and promised that his beard would do the same. 

You see, there was something about the 2013 Sox that went beyond dominance. It trumped the dynastic reign of the Patriots and shamed those Celtics fans who revel in the fact that their team has won more championships than any other team in the league even though 11 out of 18 of those championships were won in an era where the NBA had just 9 teams. It makes the Bruins fans of the eras of Bobby Orr and now Claude Jillian rethink the magic of their own respective championship runs and even makes people still bragging about the 2004 Sox title ask the question, was this 2013 title above all the rest?

We look back on the 162 games of 2013, 1 of which bears the emotional astrix denoting it as the game erased from out memory by the terror resulting from the Marathon Bombing on April 15th, and see how this team grew as one and really found out what they were as a result of that day and the support their city demanded from them after it. Their beards defined them but their camaraderie made them great. 

Stories of this clubhouse unity brought to the table by unknown guys like Johnny Gomes or forgotten stars like Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino erased those of Chicken and Beer that grew out of the doldrums of the 2011 collapse while stunning displays of dominance by those same players made us forget even about the game before. At the end of the season while they were not the stand alone best team in baseball they were close to it. They tied with the Cardinals for the top spot come years end but went above and beyond the rest of the league in offence while not once losing more than 3 consecutive games.

While for 4 years Sox fans felt a burning jealousy for the Yankees and their constant mantra of victorious play, the tables were turned in 2013 when the Sox rapidly became the do all say all owners of the baseball world. As the Yankees dealt with the fallout from the Biogenisis scandal and were hated for their part in it, the Red Sox were completely clean in 2013 always getting forgiven for their few unlikable moments (namely David Ortiz's phone smashing incident in Baltimore) and actually praised for moments that should have been unlikable but were not in Boston (namely the Ryan Dempster/Alex Rodriguez bean ball incident). 

This team was loved for what they did in 2013 and while many fans would never like to have to deal with finding space for new memories among all the great ones that team gave us, baseball does go on and on this day, April 4th, 2014, the 2013 Red Sox went from present to past while the 2014 Red Sox went from future to present. But as we knew this, as we prepared to cross that threshold to be felt when the first pitch a 2014 Red Sox pitcher threw on home turf was thrown, we also knew that there was one more chapter to this year of celebration, one last hurrah for the 2013 Boston Red Sox. That chapter, that last hurrah is and was the Ring Ceremony conducted this afternoon. 

“It’s going to be pretty cool,” pitcher Jon Lester said prior to the presentation of his 2nd Championship Ring for his work in Boston. “Just from what I remember from ’08, being able to be a part of that in different circumstances. I think this one means, obviously they all mean a lot, but this one means a little bit more. It’ll be pretty cool and I’m excited for it. You sit around all offseason thinking what the ring’s going to look like, so it’ll be pretty cool to go out there and get it and celebrate one last time, and after today we move on for good and think about 2014.” 

“Opening Day for me is one of the best things in baseball,” backup catcher David Ross said. “It’s probably at the top of my list, especially home openers and then you’re talking about a home opener with a World Series ring -- that’s a goal for a home opener. I’m just excited and looking forward to all the festivities. I’m looking forward to getting the ring and then getting the game going. We’re excited.” 

Ross was ready to turn the page, ready to get over the 2013 Sox and start biting his nails again as this city watches their 2014 team go for 2 straight titles. 

And yet for some that will not happen. Ryan Dempster, Jaocby Ellsbury and Jarrod Saltalamaccia all left the team after last season and as harsh as it may seem, Ellsbury and Saltalamaccia were all but ghosts who were not present at today's ceremony. Ryan Dempster however was there and at one point, just by his presence on the same diamond as new comers like Grady Seismore or AJ Piyrsynzki represented fully this acknowledgment of both past and present of Red Sox Nation.

Au revoir 2013 Red Sox hello 2014 Sox. Let us make this season just as special as the last. 

Read More

Boston Red Sox dominating MLB hot stove talk of late: A brief look at each of the three changes involving the Red Sox in these past 48 hours

Between AJ Piersynski, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jarrod Saltilamaccia, the Boston Red Sox have been at the center of the MLB's offseason moves during these last 48 hours as they have changed their catching future and put their prosperity in center field in serious jeopardy. Jacoby Ellsbury has defected to the Yankees and the leagues most hated ball player is now a Red Sox.

It will be a while before we see any of these guys in action with their new teams but for now it is time to get to know an say goodbye to 3 great baseball players.

AJ Piersynski signs 1 year 3 million dollar deal with Red Sox 

Once voted the MLB's most hated player, 36 year old catcher: AJ Piesrzynski inked a widely accepted 1 year 8 million dollar deal that brought him in to bridge the gap to Boston's catching future.

Pierzynski's durability will take the pressure off of concussion plagued backup David Ross and also give the Red Sox the opportunity to dump terrible defensive catcher  Jarrod Saltilamaccia. He has a much better arm that Saltilmaccia and will likely hit in the mid to upper 200's in Boston.

It seems that the only problem with this deal is Piersynski's ego. He loves to be the big man on campus and frankly in Boston he will not get that opportunity. This is David Ortiz's team and Dustin Pedroia's game. There is no room for AJ Piersynski to try to become the moral leader of this team and instead what he must do is throw guys out and guide his pitchers to victory.

So long as AJ can understand his role, Boston will not regret this move.

Jacoby Ellsbury signs 7 year 153 million dollar deal with Yankees

Ellsbury is gone, snatched up by the cash crazed Yankees.

Let’s face it, this was a loose/loose scenario for Red Sox GM, Ben Cherrington. There was no way it was possible to scrounge up such a sum of money and yet by not doing so he lost one of the best center fielders in the league right now. This one will sting for Red Sox fans as via Jacoby's signing within the division we will be force to play him and his Yankees 19 times a season and barring any postseason sires, 133 times over the course of this contract.

However, durability will continue to be a main question for Ellsbury even in the Bronx where Sox fans will hope the Yankees will be made to look foolish when their new center fielder misses 70 games a season with any assortment of injuries. But regardless of that, when Ellsbury is healthy, he will flourish in New York and might likely use the optimal placement of the right field porch at Yankee Stadium to crush home runs on a constant basis. 

Statistically speaking, Boston has no replacement for Ellsbury and while it would be easy to say they are at fault for letting Jacoby walk, this was a necessary non move by Ben Cherrington.  

To read more about the Ellsbury signing click here


Jarrod Saltalmaccia signs 3 year 21 million dollar deal with Marlins

  Game 3 of the World Series was a turning point in Jarrod Saltilamaccia's career. As he botched an easy throw to 3rd base thereby handing the win to the Cardinals, his time as a starter in Boston was done as backup David Ross got the start in each of the next 3 games.

Salty who played 4 seasons in Beantown was shaken by the benching and by the end of the series it seemed that the Sox were ready to cut ties with the man who had bridged them out of the Jason Varatek era. They made that final Tuesday afternoon when they signed Ranger free agent AJ Pierzynski thereby signaling that it was time for Salty to go. 

Upon taking this hint it did not take Jarrod long to ink a pretty respectable 21 million 3 year contract with the Miami Marlins a team who are desperate for the very offence that Jarrod Saltilamaccia will so willfully provide.

As it all trickles down, the Sox might nearly say good riddance to their former backstop as they do not need offence from the catcher position they need defense and Saltilamaccia could not provide that. Much like the Ellsbury situation this is a very good non move by Ben Cherrington.

To read more about Saltilamaccia's tenure in Boston click here

Read More