Stan Grossfeld of the Boston Globe had a great profile on Bryce Harper, a 16-year old baseball player who has already hit a 570' home run. No way the Sox have the first pick in 2011 to pick him (fingers crossed), but it's nice to hear. The only problem is that he would like to be a Yankee too. No, Bryce, NO!
"I've always wanted to put on the pinstripes," he says. "But I absolutely love Boston. I'd play anywhere, even Kansas City."
Look, I understand why having no Manny could cause concern. Manny, after all, has accomplished things on a baseball field that I have never seen before, especially from the right side of the plate. The 2007 postseason is a great example of just how incredible of a hitter Manny Ramirez was. His "domination" of good pitching nonetheless, was near remarkable, in baseball terms. Pitchers such as Fausto Carmona and CC Sabathia seemed over-matched, and ace pitchers are not usually over-matched like that. It was almost as if Manny was the one with the ball in his hands.
So I understand the hesitance to say that Jason Bay is the second coming of Manny. Because it wouldn't be true. He just isn't that good.
However, don't misinterpret that, for Jason Bay is actually very good.
Spring Training brings out the best in Paul and I as we go into the rolodeck for a special guest, one of our favorite apparel producers in Red Sox Nation, Chris from The Red Seat.
But before we talk t-shirts, we talk contracts. Spurred on by the good "news" of Jon Lester's "reported" contract extension, we talk long term contracts. We wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't an extension in the works for closer, Jonathan Papelbon. Not that he wouldn't be deserving, we make the case that it's not in either sides' best interest. Plus, have you seen Daniel Bard pitch this spring?
As you prepare for your Fenway Park wardrobe this summer, look no further than our friends at The Red Seat (http://www.theredseat.com). Chris tells us about his company and where they come up with their great designs. I still think they missed a best seller in a Manny shirt, but their repertoire of t-shirts rivals that of Dice-K's pitches.
Chris was kind enough to offer up some shirts as giveaways to Fireside Chats listeners over the next four weeks as we prepare for Opening Day. But we are going to make you earn it. Next week, we'll be giving out one Red Seat t-shirt to the caller (yes you have to call in and leave a voice mail - the number's below) who best describes their first Fenway Park experience. Paul and I will select the best narration to win a Red Seat original t-shirt.
Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT, Evan Brunell will be chatting Red Sox with the
fine folks over at Red Soxx Country. Submit your questions to NESC2006[AT]cox.net (replace [AT] with @) or join the chat and ask your own questions when the forum opens. See you then.
Click to see who.
The Sox may end up thanking their stars that they didn't pull the trigger on a trade for one of the Texas Triangle catchers because Joe Mauer could be donning red socks as soon as this July.
Mauer, an impending free agent after 2010, will command a contract with a salary range between $20-$25 million, reported Nick Cafardo yesterday.
Slated to turn 26 on April 19, Mauer would be one of the most sought after players should he land in the free agent market with both the Red Sox, New York Yankees and other teams bidding for his services.
Jon Lester has agreed to a five-year deal, buying out his first year of free agency. The Sox have a $13 million team option for his second year in 2014. The five years total $30 million and locks up yet another Sox youngster. Great news, especially with Lester on the charts of scouts to make a push for the Cy Young award this year.
I previously wrote that Nomar Garciaparra would be a good option for the Sox to bring in as a backup infielder. Bottomline Rob left a comment saying he was unsure if the burned bridges from 2003-4 had been repaired for that to be likely.
Well, Cafardo in today's Globe:
[Nomar] placed a call to the Sox front office inquiring about their potential interest. He would have provided some protection at third and first, but the Sox felt they were all set in that department and passed. Garciaparra, who spent a lot of time in Boston this offseason having his calves worked on, then signed with Oakland.
I can understand passing to give Lowrie and Lugo playing time, but should one of the two eventually be traded and a hole opening up for 2010 and Nomar's healthy and able (all of the previous are big ifs, of course) ... it would make for a nice homecoming.
Also, I will be chatting with New England Sports Country (click "Red Soxx Country in the sidebar or the upcoming link) Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (I did this last spring also). Mark it on your calendar and join us then. There will be pre-selected questions (submit them to NESC2006[@]cox.net [take out the brackets, this was to prevent spam] and then a free-for-all.
Hope to see you all then!
Less than a month ago, right handed Rule V pick Miguel Gonzalez had an arthrogram taken on his elbow in the next couple of days. The X-ray procedure includes an injection of dye in order to get a better understanding of any possible damage. According to a Boston.com report last night, Miguel underwent Tommy John and will undergo rehab in Fort Myers. Many had speculated that this may have been an excuse to put him on the "Phantom DL", but it looks like he'll probably miss the entire season and likely be returned to the Angels.