RED SOX - 3/9/02
March 09, 2002
Latest Team Info:
The Search Continues – The Red Sox interviewed Grady Little and Mike Cubbage for the vacant managerial opening on Friday, March 8. Cubbage is currently acting manager for the team and, until recently, was their third base coach. Grady Little is the current bench coach in Cleveland and also held that post during Jimy Williams’ tenure as Boston’s manager. Little, now considered the front-runner for the job, got a boost when the Oakland A’s denied the Red Sox permission to speak with their bench coach Ken Macha about the job. Tony Pena, former Sox catcher and current Astros coach, was also denied permission to interview for the job by his employers. Now, it has been learned Felipe Alou will be interviewed for the post. Previously, it was reported he would not be considered. Former Twins manager Tom Kelly has also been rumored to be in the running for the job.
The Battle for Second Base – As with most issues on the team, this one is still up in the air until a manager is decided on. Currently, it seems newly signed Rey Sanchez has the inside track for the job. Jose Offerman is the incumbent second sacker. Also in the running are Quilvio Veras, Carlos Baerga, and the dark horse, Lou Merloni. The loser of the second base battle will most likely be the main utility man in the infield. Offerman, in the last year of his ridiculous 4-year, $26 million deal, seems to be the least adept at playing the field. In fact, before the Sox even signed Offerman in 1998, his manager in Kansas City, Tony Muser, said his best position was DH. Things have only gotten worse. Sanchez may shore up the defense up the middle, but he’s no roto-stud. Of players with 500 or more at-bats last season, none was feebler at the plate than Sanchez. He stroked only 18 doubles, 6 triples, and no homers. Throw in his inability to draw a walk (only 15 last year!) and you get an OPS of .636. The Sox will have enough offense to bat him ninth and hide his deficiencies at the plate, however.
Local Perspective
Most in Boston view Little favorably and would like him to get a crack at the job. Alou, while he has the managerial experience, isn’t really considered a factor. He managed what boiled down to a quadruple A club in Montreal and Boston is a much more rabid baseball town. He is old (67) and many question if he still has the fire in the belly for the job. The prevailing opinion is that Little, while inexperienced on the major league level, still has managed over 2,000 games in the minors. He also learned from baseball lifers like Williams and Charlie Manuel. Another plus for the ownership is that Little can be molded into what they want. That is something they may not be able to do with Alou. Cubbage, while compiling a .602 winning percentage as a minor league skipper, is not what people want to see around here. People are comfortable with Little and hope to see him in the dugout soon.
As for the second base job, Sanchez is the definite favorite here. People are sick of seeing teams get an extra at-bat when Offerman should have turned a double play and end the inning. Many feel Baerga could push sophomore Shea Hillenbrand for the third base job. Local favorite Lou Merloni should stick with the club as a utility option.
Rumor Mill
It is rumored that Jose Offerman is going to be traded for a bag of baseball and a subscription to Baseball Weekly, but that is unsubstantiated at this point. Seriously, if “Awfulman” doesn’t win the second base job, he is most likely going to be traded for some obscure minor leaguer or just released.
Rumor also has it that Trot Nixon may actually stand behind something he says. But that looks to just be a rumor. Twice, Nixon has had the opportunity to stand up and become the leader in the clubhouse, but he recanted both of his statements. The first was last season after a Carl Everett episode. The second time Nixon turtled up was after Manny Ramirez decided to show up late for Spring Training. Nixon did a good thing and called both players out on the carpet for their lack of professionalism. Then, for some reason, Nixon decided to take back what he said and blame the media. The fact is, this team is ready to explode. They need either a strong presence in the clubhouse or a strong manager. Otherwise, they may fall apart much like the end of last year.
Injuries
Joe Kerrigan’s and Dan Duquette’s pride. Other than that, there are no significant injuries to report.
On The Farm
After Duquette’s scorched earth policy toward the farm system, there are few real prospects to report about.
Juan Diaz – 1B: Showed some major pop in his bat but poor off season conditioning plus the arrival of Tony Clark should keep him in AAA Pawtucket this year.
Dernell Stenson – 1B/OF: Went to the same fitness guru that Diaz went to and showed up 20 pounds overweight for Spring Training. When you’re trying to break into Boston’s stacked outfield that usually isn’t the way to do it. May warrant a late season call up.
Rolando Viera – LHP: Cuban defector that was drafted and signed last year by the Sox. If he’s a lefty, he’s bound to get a look. His role is still up in the air between starting and relieving. May get a look if the Sox need a lefty.
Sun Woo Kim – RHP: Korean product that has had good success through his minor league stops. Still needs to put it all together at the major league level. Should be one of the first called if the Sox need to fill a pitching spot.
Line Of The Week
IP H R ER BB SO HR HB
Hermanson (L, 0-1) 1/3 3 6 5 3 1 1 1
Better not make this a habit, Dustin.
Quick View
Add: John Burkett (NEW) – Has pitched excellent in his Spring Training starts. He is familiar with the American League and owns the best winning percentage of all pitchers in the AL East vs. the Yankees. Should continue to post solid numbers.
Tony Clark (NEW) – Should post monster numbers at Fenway this season. For the first time, he isn’t the focus of a team’s offense, so with the pressure off, he should flourish. Also, Brian Daubach will spell him at first base, enabling Clark to DH much more. That should help his nagging back injuries. Clark has always hit well at Fenway, expect that to continue and expect similar numbers to his season of 1999.
Jason Varitek (NEW) – Is fully healed of the elbow injury that ended his 2001 campaign. Is the starter and should put up some decent numbers for a catcher. There’s a good chance he’ll be around late in your fantasy draft.
Pedro Martinez & Nomar Garciaparra (NEW) - Any hesitancy you have about drafting these guys is unfounded. Both look great and have performed to their pre-injury levels. These guys are good to go and may last past the first round in a few drafts.
Drop: Jose Offerman (NEW) - If the Sox are smart, they will too.
