Tuesday, January 03, 2006
PETER GAMMONS TALKS ON THE SOX
The financial issues in the Epstein negotiations did not get resolved until nearly 48 hours before his old contract was to expire, which did not give the GM and CEO time to work out other issues -- most of which involved Lucchino loyalists, who the baseball-operations folks believe have undermined the situation, sourced countless leaks and (with their attempts to make Lucchino look good) roved over Epstein and the baseball staff.
Could the Lucchino loyalist be the Dentist and Executive Vice President of BS, Charlie Steinberg?
Gammons goes on to say that…
Part of the strain between Epstein and those around Lucchino who worry about the immediate-gratification demands of the media is that Theo wanted to take the 2006 season and use it to build another five-year run; he also wanted to place a far greater emphasis on defense, as the 2005 Red Sox were at the bottom of the Baseball Prospectus defensive efficiency chart. The Boston club that was so good in 2003-05 was now an old team…
"Theo has been the principal advocate of the longer view of the Red Sox," says Lucchino, "and I have to say I think he has been correct."
Epstein's view is that without a $200 million payroll, it is practically impossible in the American League East to win 95-100 games every year. The goal is to be in position to make that run seven or eight out of 10 years, which means that about once every five years they have to step back and, in Lucchino's words, "retool. Not rebuild, retool.
"We probably have not done as good a job of explaining our long view as we should have," Lucchino added. "We're not paring down payroll [Henry is adamant that they have $135 million to spend]. But we do have to try to start working young players into Fenway Park."
Those concerned about the “immediate-gratification demands of the media” do not think to highly of the organization’s ability to spin a story or are they more concerned about selling every seat, television ratings, and creating a Red Sox theme park in the Fenway? Most clubs are going to have non-competitive years, but the minor league system and your payroll will determine if it is one 80-85 win season or a three year hiatus like in Cleveland.
Gammons then states that the Sox are hesitant to move Marte, Papelbon, Lester, Hansen, Edgar Martinez (who seems like the only one hyping this reliever), and Pedroia. If the above group’s Fenway ETA is 2007, the Sox payroll could be hovering around $75 million with a rotation of Schilling/Beckett/Papelbon/Clement/Lester, a pen of Hansen/Martinez/Delcarmen, and a lineup of Pedroia/Youkilis/Ortiz/Manny/ Marte/Tek. The Sox would have pressing needs similar to today in center, short with an opening in right (possibly David Murphy), but have $60 million to throw around to acquire a Derrek Lee, Nick Johnson, Torii Hunter, Barry Zito, Andruw Jones or Adam Dunn.
Questions, comments, issues, concerns, or just want to call me a dumb ass?
The financial issues in the Epstein negotiations did not get resolved until nearly 48 hours before his old contract was to expire, which did not give the GM and CEO time to work out other issues -- most of which involved Lucchino loyalists, who the baseball-operations folks believe have undermined the situation, sourced countless leaks and (with their attempts to make Lucchino look good) roved over Epstein and the baseball staff.
Could the Lucchino loyalist be the Dentist and Executive Vice President of BS, Charlie Steinberg?
Gammons goes on to say that…
Part of the strain between Epstein and those around Lucchino who worry about the immediate-gratification demands of the media is that Theo wanted to take the 2006 season and use it to build another five-year run; he also wanted to place a far greater emphasis on defense, as the 2005 Red Sox were at the bottom of the Baseball Prospectus defensive efficiency chart. The Boston club that was so good in 2003-05 was now an old team…
"Theo has been the principal advocate of the longer view of the Red Sox," says Lucchino, "and I have to say I think he has been correct."
Epstein's view is that without a $200 million payroll, it is practically impossible in the American League East to win 95-100 games every year. The goal is to be in position to make that run seven or eight out of 10 years, which means that about once every five years they have to step back and, in Lucchino's words, "retool. Not rebuild, retool.
"We probably have not done as good a job of explaining our long view as we should have," Lucchino added. "We're not paring down payroll [Henry is adamant that they have $135 million to spend]. But we do have to try to start working young players into Fenway Park."
Those concerned about the “immediate-gratification demands of the media” do not think to highly of the organization’s ability to spin a story or are they more concerned about selling every seat, television ratings, and creating a Red Sox theme park in the Fenway? Most clubs are going to have non-competitive years, but the minor league system and your payroll will determine if it is one 80-85 win season or a three year hiatus like in Cleveland.
Gammons then states that the Sox are hesitant to move Marte, Papelbon, Lester, Hansen, Edgar Martinez (who seems like the only one hyping this reliever), and Pedroia. If the above group’s Fenway ETA is 2007, the Sox payroll could be hovering around $75 million with a rotation of Schilling/Beckett/Papelbon/Clement/Lester, a pen of Hansen/Martinez/Delcarmen, and a lineup of Pedroia/Youkilis/Ortiz/Manny/ Marte/Tek. The Sox would have pressing needs similar to today in center, short with an opening in right (possibly David Murphy), but have $60 million to throw around to acquire a Derrek Lee, Nick Johnson, Torii Hunter, Barry Zito, Andruw Jones or Adam Dunn.
Questions, comments, issues, concerns, or just want to call me a dumb ass?
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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