As of December 26, Sox Blog can be found at http://www.thephoenix.com/soxblog. Remember to update your bookmarks and RSS feed readers.

Happy Holidays to all.

12/24/2005 2:21:00 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  

12/22/2005 1:06:28 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  

Our friends over at Sully's Tees have wasted no time.
Damon is no longer their homeboy.



(Now on MySpace!)

Etc.
Stopped into the hastily assembled Lucchino/Hoyer/Cherington pressy they held at Fenway this afternoon, but ducked out early because they weren't saying anything all that new. In fact, I'm not quite sure why they held it at all. Aren't press conferences supposed to be had when there is news to announce? This was news we knew already. (And, in fact, it's news the Sox brain trust heard about last night from the media.)

They could have just issued a tersely worded press release claiming that Damon was a valuable and beloved Red Sox but, in the end, the price in dollars and years was just too steep for the team, and that they wish him luck -- but not too much, ha ha! -- in the Bronx. And then they could have gotten to work finding his replacement.

Instead, Lucky and the co-GMs sat at a table, looking haggard and downcast, and took questions. Admirable, and maybe even understandable considering the lumps Lucchino took for staying hidden after Theo split. But it seems to me that the press availability was a tacit admission of defeat, and that by having it they made losing Johnny Damon look like a bigger deal than it was. They looked like they got beat, and it didn't look good.


Sox Blog is moving, loyal readers. As of the Monday after Christmas, you'll find it at http://www.thephoenix.com/soxblog. You'll have to update your bookmarks, and if you subscribe via RSS, you should point your reader to http://www.thephoenix.com/soxblog.

I'll be on vacation next week, but will be updating if anything big goes down. Which with this team is almost a certainty. In the mean time, Happy Holidays.

12/21/2005 4:12:00 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  

Guess retirement wasn't an option after all.

Back in May, I referred to this article in this post, referring to this quote:

"There's no way I can go play for the Yankees, but I know they're going to come after me hard. It's definitely not the most important thing to go out there for the top dollar, which the Yankees are going to offer me. It's not what I need."

Well, money talks and bullshit walks. And good for him. He came here for the cash four years ago, and he's leaving for same now. Hope that extra $3 million a year is worth it. Because he'll never have it as good there as he had it here. Instead of sharing a clubhouse with his idiot friends, he gets to hang with jerks like Sheffield and Randy Johnson. (Think naked pull-ups are allowed in Stade Fasciste?) Rather than playing for an ownership he called "as cool as Justin Timberlake" in his book, he's gonna have Big Boss Man breathing down his freshly-clipped neck. Far from the refulgent demigod he is in this town, in New York City he's gonna be just another jock, no matter what he thinks. (And I hope his wife doesn't expect to be hosting her own TV show down in Gotham. Anna Benson she ain't.)

Anyway, good for him for cashing in, and good for us for not offering a ridiculous contract like that one. Especially, as Ryan S. points out, when the guy's dropping hints about decreased production once greenies are verboten ("If amphetamines are banned, Damon said, 'We're probably going to see a lot of lethargic guys out there.'")

We'll live. Jeremy Reed or Coco Crisp (the latter, especially) would be OK by me for center field. And we'd welcome Dave Roberts back with open arms. But count this blog as deeply concerned about that empty first spot in the Red Sox batting order.

I would have loved to keep him, believe me. But four years at $13 million is just not smart business, whatever Shaughnessy says. ("Johnny Damon is a Yankee and it looks like the Red Sox don't know what they are doing.... Ben and Jed and Craig and Larry and Tom and John and Crosby, Stills & Nash can spin this anyway they want, but Sox fans can't escape the conclusion that there's chaos at the top.")

Still, while it's a rare thing indeed for me to agree with the Shank, it is fair to say that this is a PR disaster, at least when it comes to the average souvenir-buying fan: "The Sox won't recover from this one easily. In an already dismal offseason, they've now lost their center fielder and their leadoff hitter. They've also lost a local icon, a rare favorite of teenage girls and fanboy bloggers. Losing Damon hurts them on the field and in the arena of popular opinion. And losing Damon to the Yankees compounds the damage."

I try to keep a clear head about dollars and stats, but I'm a "fanboy blogger" too. (As are these guys.) So, yeah. I'm disappointed, if not all that surprised, that the guy's allegiances could shift so swiftly.

(Funnily, if the reaction at NYYFans.com is any indication -- "dear God noooooo" ... "i'm gonna throw up my dinner!" ... "this has Steinbrenner written all over it. I hate his move" ... "I am going to cry. I'm not even kidding. How the hell is this happening?" ... "F*ck" -- many fans down in enemy territory are none too happy about this move.)

It's a free country and a free market. The sun will rise on Fort Myers in February, and ball will be played at Fenway in April. Que sera sera.

But only a cold-hearted statistician can't be bummed out about this: "Only 14 months after winning a World Series, the Sox have undergone almost a complete facelift, with only outfielder Trot Nixon, catcher Jason Varitek, outfielder Manny Ramirez, and DH David Ortiz the only regular position players left from the championship team," Edes and Snow write.

And, only 14 months after pulling off the greatest postseason comeback in team sports history, who would've thought the idea of Johnny Damon launching a grand slam into the Stadium's short right field porch would have such a different ring to it?

12/21/2005 12:19:00 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  

Just got back from the press conference at Fenway announcing the "restructuring" of the Baseball Operations department, where, as expected, Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer were named Co-General Managers.

There were no bombshells. It was not announced that Theo is coming back in an advisory capacity, nor was it announced that Larry Lucchino would be fired, forced to take on a reduced role, thrown under the team bus, pilloried, tarred and feathered, or made to undergo any other form of public humiliation.

In fact, he seemed, at least, to be in a position of strength. Conspicuous by his absence at the Theogate press conference almost six weeks ago, today he was the only member of team ownership in attendance. (PR guru and "minister of fun" Dr. Charles Steinberg also lurked smiling in the wings.)

Lucchino introduced these two sons of the Granite State (Meriden and Plymouth), former NESCAC rivals (Amherst and Wesleyan), and good friends (Ben joked that he hired Jed as a "way to get back at him" for the pain Hoyer, the Cardinals' single-season career saves leader, inflicted on Amherst hitters). He lauded their "intellect, drive, and ambition," and expressed confidence in their fitness to handle the "broad duties and extensive demands" of being the General Manager(s) of the Boston Red Sox.

The two earlythirtysomethings will roughly divvy up the GM's responsibilities, with Hoyer concentrating on contracts and player transactions, and Cherington primarily handling player development and amateur scouting. The pair "complement each other," said Cherington, "but we also have an incredible relationship built on trust." It's one that's proven itself, he said, over the "challenging period" of the last six weeks, through which the folks in the baseball ops department "have had to rely on each other."

Then, to the surprise of no one, the conversation shifted to the topic everyone wanted to talk about: Theo. Cherington and Hoyer sat grim and stone-faced as reporter after reporter invoked his name.

Lucchino's answers were surprising in their relative forthrightness, if not their content.

Cherington and Hoyer represent the "arrangement we are going forward with for 2006," he said. But he would not comment on the expected length of their service, nor on their salaries.

"Will there be other ... personnel and roles and responsibilities" added to the Baseball Ops department?, he asked rhetorically. Sure. Maybe. "We'll see what happens in the future."

"We don't expect major changes," he said, but "we're open to major changes."

Echoing the "door has been left ajar" comments he made to the Times's Murray Chass, Lucchino also added another house-based cliche, saying that the Red Sox would "leave the light on in the window for Theo."

Gordon Edes asked whether, if Epstein came back, it would be in a subordinate role to Cherington and Hoyer, his erstwhile minions.

"You're getting ahead of yourself," said Lucchino.

(Could Theo thence be back in full-flower as GM -- or even something more than that -- by the time spring training rolls around, as Rob Bradford from the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune wonders? Who knows.)

So, even with stability at the top, however short-lived, the circus-like atmosphere on Yawkey Way continues. It's a set up where, as Tony Massarotti wrote yesterday, "potentially, Epstein could be back as, say, president of baseball operations, which would effectively make him the general manager. Cherington and Hoyer could be co-GMs, which would make them assistant GMs. And president Larry Lucchino, presumably, would become president of business operations, which means the administrative structure of the Red Sox could end up with more branches than the United States government."

Meanwhile this weekend we had Dan Shaughnessy, once again trying to stir the pot and sow dissent, injecting himself into the middle of it all, portraying himself as some sort of "insider" even when he seems to know as much about front office goings-on than the bartender at the Baseball Tavern. [Emphasis mine.]

The Red Sox might bring Theo Epstein back into the fold in some capacity soon, and it could be causing some problems upstairs. We all know that Henry loves Theo like a son and was devastated when Epstein resigned. Team CEO Lucchino took the fall and has since admitted making mistakes in the Epstein contract negotiations. With the possibility of Epstein returning in some capacity, Henry and Lucchino could be in the midst of their first major showdown.

....

No one was saying much on the record yesterday.

That didn't stop Dan from weaving together a string of no-comments and nondenials -- from Henry, from Lucchino, from Theo, from Tom Werner -- into a mishmash of insinuation and nodding winks that hinted darkly at bad times on Yawkey Way. "Now it appears that the return of Theo is again a possibility and it's creating a combustible situation at the top."

What is this? It's not journalism. Or even opinion. It's mere speculation, an attempt to hint as things about which he demonstrably has no idea. And it appeared in this town's paper of record. It should have come with a disclaimer: No facts were used in the making of this article.

"People currently speculating about a reduced role for Larry Lucchino don't know what they are talking about," John Henry told the Associated Press yesterday. "It's completely absurd."

(He also told the Herald that Lucchino will stay in charge whatever happens with Theo.)

One thing is for sure: It's never, ever boring.

"Congratulations, and good luck," Lucchino said to his new GMs today. They'll need it.

12/12/2005 5:15:00 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  

Where to start? I've been meaning to talk about the hot stove swap meet for the past few days, but have had other stuff on my plate. And I'm still not quite sure what my take on it all is. But suffice it to say: Strange times are afoot on Yawkey way. Quoth Tim Wakefield: ''What the heck is our team going to look like next year?''

Timmy's personal catcher was the first to go. Dougie is now a Stud Who Hits Bombs in Petco Park. In return ... we get back Lorretta! (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

I'm all for this one. Back up catchers are all well and good, especially when they had the kind of pop that Dougie had. But if we can expect Mark Loretta v.2004 instead of Mark Loretta v.2005, this is a very good deal indeed.

Yes, Wakefield's split -- 16-8, 3.66 ERA last season throwing to Mirabelli, 0-4, 8.66 throwing to Varitek -- is worrisome. Yes, thinking of Tek's passed balls in Game 5 last year still gives me night sweats. (And don't assume Kelly Shoppach will simply be Wake's personal catcher -- assuming he's the planned back-up for next season.) But getting a career .301 hitter into the line-up every day, at the expense of a guy who only played every five games, is more or less a no-brainer.

Now, yesterday's Edgar Renteria for Andy Marte blockbuster is a bit more nuanced. I'm inclined to withhold judgment until I see what exactly the team plans to do with Marte. I wanna keep him, even though we are now the proud owners of three third-basemen. He's a hell of a prospect (rated better than Hanley by Baseball America) with a lot of pop and a Manny-esque spray chart. He's top-notch at the hot corner, but could also be stuck in the outfield. I'd love to see what he could do for us next season or the year after. Not only that, but "he's a great dude." And if Adam Stern says so, it must be true. Seems like we might live to regret spinning him for a Julio Lugo type.

Still, while he's definitely promising, I'm not completely sold. The motivation behind dealing Renteria after only a year was of course to rid ourselves of a hefty contract. But what are the savings? A poster on Sons of Sam Horn crunched the numbers. "So if my math is correct, Renteria cost the Sox $19 million ($7M + $1M signing bonus + $11M). In return we get one year of his service and Marte. Ouch. This kid better be a hell of an impact player, or at least fetch a lot in trade."

On the other hand, perhaps, the benefits are incalculable. People were scratching their heads yesterday about suddenly-created vacancy at shortstop.

Then this AP story broke -- about two days after it was reported on XM satellite radio, according to one SoSHer -- and suddenly visions of monsterbombs danced in our heads.

Miguel Tejada? Could it be? Oh, Santy Claus, please-o-please-o-please let Christmas come early this year. We've been such very good fans.

Gorden Edes says this must get done.

Here's what makes it imperative for the Sox, who were already discussing the possibility yesterday, to do everything they can to make this happen: Even the dollars make sense. The Orioles owe Tejada $48 million on the six-year, $72 million contract he signed before the '04 season. The Sox owe Ramirez $57 million.

Replace Ramirez with Tejada, and the Sox become the best team in baseball. The only thing more obvious than his talent is Tejada's burning desire to win. Even his most ardent supporters can't say the same about Ramirez.

Not only would it bring a big bat to protect Ortiz in the lineup, but it would bring one of Ortiz's best friends. Which, with Millar and Pedro and Manny gone, he'd surely be happy about. It's so exciting. I feel like a kid again. But let's be real about this.

What if the O's just tell Tejada, who signed that enormous contract just two seasons ago, to blow it out his ear? Why would they deal away one of their marquee players, who fields a position for which they've got no real replacement in their system?

And would Manny want to go to Camden Yards, a place sometimes referred to as Fenway South? Who says he won't just invoke his 10-5 rights to quash the deal?

Then again, who says a three way trade, maybe with the Angels or with the Mets, isn't possible? Scenarios galore are dreamt about here.

(Be it also noted that, strangely, the closing phrase, "A source close to Tejada, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Tejada would like to be traded to a team on the East Coast, and specifically mentioned the Boston Red Sox as his choice destination." was scrubbed from later versions of the AP story.)

This much we know. The Red Sox will be almost unrecognizable next year. Our entire infield is turning over. Four of last year's starting nine are already gone, and three could soon follow suit. Only Varitek and Ortiz are immune from trade talk. If this isn't "blowing it up," I don't know what is. Even the Gray Lady is surprised at the Sox' extreme makeover. So soon after winning it all, too. Very strange.

And it ain't over yet. Our soon-to-be-anointed co-GMs Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington -- and Theo? -- have a lot of work left to do. (Sign Damon. Just do it.)

In the mean time, some farewells are in order.

Thanks, Mike Myers, for being the best damn LOOGY I've seen come through these parts in a long time. Thanks for making Garrett Anderson and Hideki Matsui look foolish. I really wish we'd kept you -- if only for the single fact that you could well be doing the same to David Ortiz in the late innings of every Yankees game next season.

Thank you Kevin Millar. You always made for great copy, that much is for sure. And I'll always miss those seemingly effortless Monster shots. Remember when you used to hit those? You made the most of the talent you had, and that's a big thing. So was your mouth sometimes, but that's OK. You're a hell of a guy, and I'd love to buy you a beer sometime. So would a lot of people. I'm sorry you had such a crappy season last year, and I hope you can turn it around somewhere else. But your time here coincided with one of this team's golden eras, and much of our success had to do with your force or personality. "Don't let us win tonight," you said before Game 4. We did. And the rest is history. Thanks talking the talk and drawing that walk.

And Billy? I'm saddest to see you go. You earned your nickname: The Professional. You played hard. You were humble. You were a class act all the way. And you'll always be remembered as one of the best third basemen this team has ever had. Thanks for your gold-glove caliber defense. Thanks for the batting title. Thanks for the two grand slam game in Texas. Thanks for the walk-off in the Tek/A-Rod game. And thank you, thank you, thank you for the single up the middle in Game 4. We couldn't have done it without you. I'm glad you got to win the World Series in your home town, in front of your family. Good luck in LA. Say hello to D-Lowe for us. (And don't tell Grady all the mean things we've been saying about him.)

12/9/2005 2:30:00 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  

It's been 401 days since the Red Sox won it all, and that finger-smudged trophy has long since moved on to the great Midwest. But the profusion of books and movies commemorating that epochal 2004 season continues unabated.

The latest is the DVD release of NESN's Wait 'til This Year, a 90-minute docudrama following real-life couple Ges Selmont and Monika Lahiri from Aaron Boone's death blow to Mientkiewicz's final out.

Driving their snazzy Sox-emblazoned Mini from their home in Connecticut to game after game at Fenway -- and sometimes the Bronx, where the car was pelted with bottles -- the season ticket holders are like a real-life version of the couple from Fever Pitch.

Lahiri is a die-hard, and Selmont films her unvarnished post-game commentary all season long. The promising spring start ... the disquieting early-summer doldrums ... the A-Rod fight ... the Nomar trade ... the late-summer steamrolling ... the nadir of Game 3 ... the exhilarating eight-game ride to the promise land. Along the way, their own marriage has as many peaks and valleys as the Sox themselves.

Interspersed throughout are Lahiri's fun interviews with Jim Rice, Dewey Evans, and the usually camera-shy Yaz, some comical philosophizing from the Spaceman, and all that game footage that never, ever gets old. A soundtrack featuring Jonathan Richman, Tommy Stinson, Kay Hanley, and Helicopter Helicopter is gravy.

Lahiri and Selmont will be at the Official Boston Red Sox Team Store at 19 Yawkey Way tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Stocking stuffers ... think about it.

12/2/2005 1:42:00 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |