Theo Epstein

yeah.

Fourth and final hour Dennis and Callahan joining us on the fault lines the general manager of the Boston Red Sox -- good morning Theo how are you yet it I'm wondering are are we witnessing here in the final weeks of the season and organizational balancing act of trying to win some games and hopefully win the division but not. At the expense of guys resting injuries to get ready for the post season

you know not to the extent that. It is being received publicly I mean we we get to that point not a lot you guys know what you do. If there -- for example -- one game last in these. Needed the win the division would you start Josh Beckett a -- this season on Sunday and on out they'll will start game one

have is that rhetorical question.

But it yet I think most reasonable people have a tendency you -- but we're not there yet did we beat. They get it flattered that we lost a lot of games and people think. That we lost but because somehow point there -- not try a 100% -- bouncing our short term interest. We locked in as we've been completely outplayed that the critical junctures in there. The last you know we and it -- That's exactly what got you win most games and -- the win in October you passed out outplay your opponent which is if we haven't done it. In the right but that bouncing act yet -- it in the back. Right now and he's but the guys in the game now missing games that they can't go in and the reached up the rotation has been hot. Pitcher start as they audit and -- start left as a matter one it would take -- and went view. This -- happen again we went out and he's a couple days. And it to go it's still have -- in numbers start stressed the years so not that I wish I could say yet. We happened back at is that not the case.

Well feel like -- rephrase that in a bizarre kind of hypothetical if there were no wild card. And the Sox needed to stave off the Yankees to make the playoffs would Manny and cocoa and you'd be back in there

I can't it be you know each that it would be the -- the you need it it is an individual decision based on you know how effective are -- that help they can be playing at. Feeling a 100% verses that reform. The expected performance of there place --

Do you expect them back in the regular season because -- do it. It clear I mean you're going to make the playoffs we all I guess you can. Make that declaration but we have. You gonna make the playoffs so what's stopping you from between the next nine games is just it -- just practice. Well you do is that psychological component where you have to finish strong.

Now -- that there are there's psychological -- on in the division in their propped. You know he's there. Some people argue either you know very nominal number idea at their very significant I I and the focus on the property. A lot. And we've been in front treatment from a week and he's an -- So we feel that that you've earned on out not not a good day. Over five and a half months and given away -- two weeks so psychological. Winning winning the division does create some sort of home field advantage and hit it in the division in that pop up. You know the -- in the first round and home field throughout the play you know the get home field isn't the -- and doll. Playoff baseball -- from it that it is better now. Especially -- score about a run per game more Paul wrote that not insignificant so you know they're they're back went out there.

What other obviously. No home field matters but does does that one day that choice we get to pick is that important to -- length about the length of a trip to go. That Anaheim as opposed to Cleveland.

Now I don't think like that it is that important it -- new lap format that corporate you know I think choosing this series it. If your team at a certain make up where you're at starters and that we could hit on it -- raptors on it at bat that ethnic that your -- that didn't or if you had. One great starter cubic starters and you drop -- maybe could be significant. Throughout I don't I don't think it's it's all that -- it was that there -- start there but not a bit better than -- How I'll help you can be the year earlier on on a

VO two part question here how and when will the third starter be determined and second part if indeed it's Daisuke will you consider his ER -- being much better on the road verses of Fenway Park and and and rotated that way.

It you know not none of those decisions been made yet this -- the sitting around you know on RO. Albeit there's this figure out what what is in the best position in the best possible position where it matchup with our -- when that first five game series. Yeah I think yeah of course look at almost let -- at some point yet -- just -- meet people visit. The reason why. Better home road that -- think those trees although the last that our people were they about. Playoff start back as the play now. That certainly transparent individuals with these weather battle. It's not what is your town well

feel if you could wave a magic wand and have one guy of the following four guy is right their ship completely for the post season. Would be Daisuke Wakefield Gagne or Okajima one guy can just be a 100% -- ball to the -- good as -- can be who would you want to be

I answered that you know when I went it another team that -- look at look at the majority of these. The rule not the exception almost. You're being on -- it we haven't figured out yet it do it year yet. Well you know I they'll think starting pitching. Extremely important short there it is nothing like having. -- truly dominant starting pitcher in the short series and go out there twice. The close games from -- noble and -- you look back in. To dominate those are there are but one on the -- but look at those.

What is wrong in your opinion what is wrong with Gagne and it was is it something that you were. Fearful of when he made the deal.

But I think it has to the guys are starters never -- And and outlook back -- that that -- that we we hit it in four. Another reliever can we expect you know. User alter or -- bowl rest of the way we -- to -- it never done before -- is written extremely hard. Justifiably -- for the so in the fact that we in another reliever we wanted the best I think on it was and now on the best I'll be there is somebody never dealt from. -- at that point never felt it from a but obstacles that he never -- in. Extremely well make and obviously we doubted -- just wanted to about it. It was obvious that opposite back. Certainly that that dominated the national league so long we weren't trading for or record setting Eric on that would. Taken a much higher but active buyer but we -- gatti still at. Pretty good stuff you know is Oakland's -- there and read or. We'll have a really good change up and ability but the curve ball or strike it was it was help and expensively -- really uniformity of our courts right now. And that and also on it it on video games where they're so I think what happens. It's been really really difficult just -- is that difficult adjustment a lot of -- probably try to be too trying to overthrow the adjustment to the gate then. -- that we get. And and were taken out but it's it's been -- is not in -- we he's he's on artists were invest in. We haven't been in this in really get the most that that such because she's on I think now. I think while. It's been known as a -- that -- Though they you know I'm not considered that. -- keep on about their blindly use the key in the post these apt in active bury it and -- away but of course we. What -- it better we can beat -- We can help him make that adjustment even. Game we're going to be better for this guy is the first I'm like they'll. Consistently get relief pitchers are.

The -- everybody in Boston has an opinion on this I would be interest in the general manager's view. Is JD Drew a better player than Jacoby ellsberg

while he's you know it at longer track there. Break the back record for the -- about or. I'll close I'll read -- to poke there's different players will be. Can do a lot of different things based off eat in. In which is he gave an impact he's that he's impact base runner it'd be and it acts that are. That credible that the ability of our picnic bubble there's not -- but it is not. In etiquette that since he's been up here it's been he's been really really get. In a game in other games it has been -- in just behind -- is. But again aptly those -- we count and just survive and help -- when games though. You know that it could be or it brought out we are got help right now it. West in epic you don't have to tell the outfield and loan loans for -- ethic is like they're allowed to quit that. That to beat -- those went based in October -- expect that well.

But there's no chance that he'll play right when Manny comes back. Is there any Rem Remy doesn't think it'll happen he doesn't think Francona will make that move. What's your opinion should Jacoby start in right when Manny comes back and plays left.

Well did you want before once you get into October you're the only starting pitcher in the past has it. It up like up there but I think at that certain point at issue out there. It's about trust the track record out. Her career and yet it's not over yet elected. Ounce of interest you can help you more off the bench. You know look like if we face England Ottawa beat the Tito's probably can't neither one of them start in the first game in get the out because he. You know we attitude we have a right at at a switch hitter -- it. But and it it was velocity extremely well on the bench in his native Bobby hill country in -- well that's just. Examples demonstrate. Each game you got the went.

I haven't heard anybody say that Boston in all it brings in all the pressure that the crowds. Has affected J. D. Drew the way it affected perhaps Edgar Renteria. So what is the problem if it's not Boston. What how do you explain what has gone wrong with JD Drew.

I don't think it probably is -- and -- as though they can -- it is one thing aren't serving a lot few years that. Don't think it's appropriate the subject that's really judge a player it has urged here -- it wasn't -- last year we got back it. But what was it. -- step forward is back -- and there are many others and so I don't know if he's certainly. But the year off the field while it up at that question he's not making excuses or else but I think about -- that is. As an extremely disappointing here for Haiti but I would be surprised in the least bit out back in. Career -- forward. Certainly not being physical psychological but to get it. I think you know is is performances are in is much better when he can keep -- certain apartments that. Which is I'm pretty not platoon throughout the course -- that you -- this -- approaches. Locked in off off the field approach. Without it at -- this area still despite being worse -- it. Not driving the ball in. You -- watching him play both. One or two in stretches where does look locked in in the ball park this many it -- the wear out in opposite field but. It's about the courses period and it locked in on how to approach over long stretches Revver reason. He ought pat rafter won two games that the ball up you know special order as all our step up in the off again. Getting getting -- at the plate and now. That's related to use that helping octave sound approach.

Is -- too passive at times would you like to see him be more aggressive.

I know from you know from a fan's standpoint it it can't be against in the at this but it is that the same thing about it that the -- at him. Our particular our offense the flop. It on selective aggressiveness in and you know the people of that activity at the plate our on our ability is in the organization. To be more aggressive spinal where the bat that yes he does -- the on the way. -- situation but it is that city -- is when it hit it. Players along. Order that's full look at -- at -- was the ability you.

The -- this next question speaks to process and and I'm sure you can just. Throw the -- in my face and say it's an oversimplification but Soviet. Hop in the organizations of valuations of the unknown number but the young people but colts -- very Jon Leicester before that. -- so spot on accurate and yet it would seem that from time to time the organization's ability to evaluate the viability of major league players who who have seen have a track record on the major league level. Turn out to be so disastrous.

Well I think we're driving for the use of this and they want here's the art. He's been on in the is that. There's there's only reason that as you know your players better -- the year as. Draft develop a daddy knows they know it's it's not know and so that is about not that it this development or where's -- at in the world well. Got out. Still very young better than they think they have been eight. The psychological -- at that in two service or -- three -- the want to develop any there's. We as an organization herbal bed and will be getting the wear read and wean ourselves off -- Create we retorted that are so it is waters get our whole lot bigger -- we do it the lot of trepidation as. And -- we try to. They're young it's possible ignored it market -- still under -- up and and that they are great players and in that with -- back. More liability. That's the nature create a back and look. Free agents in the past -- around -- it is. It's just not -- not sound way to build off on that while I we've worked so hard to get the what we don't have to do it. -- you're ever going to -- really at. Formed the players and I get to -- on at the number of players. Here in not perform up to their career norms in certain it looked at. Wrong as they can. That first year as necessary translated over here it is no legitimate reason why should now that the and we get the bat Ottawa. Play -- play out there or even if they don't person it.

As a -- as as Lowell Mike Lowell played himself out of your plans I'm sure his price -- his sword. I'm wondering have you made any attempt yet to talk extension with him or his agent.

Now -- At a good relationship is -- in all along we all. It as a target it was Wakefield. Whether it option actors these and I would I hope yet they've had planned out. At that it. Will be an attractive created that makes it more difficult to keep but it. It down our agents and try to keep.

So you want them I mean he does. It would be hard not to want him because he's so likeable.

And everything that he does everything they want wire on you know. Leader -- offenses I think you went. This year.

But if he's having a career year don't have to take emotion out of it. And say you know maybe he is maybe his values too high because he had such a big year and that might be an aberration.

Yet not all right not the appropriate time against that it -- thank you probably know the process that we go through with respect to. Protect players but -- as we consider in. It'll be just approached the they.

It's is it do you think you'll be go with a four man rotation in the playoffs and if so. Any chance of -- and it

you know I don't know yet it is a lot of it depends on which series we end up what is. How bad there either way out of obsess about why. It certainly -- and he's doing at bat. Consideration there are -- roster and door. Important spot. They 13 months ago watched him pitch in Carolina they buy out on an average -- possible. He's been despite the average not at the it's not.

We we we you really -- probably addressed this already but not with us we really going to take him out of a no hitter if he reached his pitch count. Tell us the truth.

Yeah I beat Hewitt you get a -- I its target the scenario you would amount. To about an -- because. Thankfully you know he's started at that betting at a place where if -- amount is by Libya evidenced pitch count but he absolutely part of his stock. The -- are 120 it is strictly you know he he did suffer some -- The reason I needed him there. After the back. -- but criticism for -- aren't we feel that. -- compared at the at this it would happen. Must not out -- up around our first not known as group over but. I can't let beat it is no comparison but yet that you talked earlier about bouncing short term Molitor --

You know we heard about the Jermaine -- the deadline and why that collapsed but I how far down maligned did you get in an effort to acquire another bat likes it was even Adam Dunn and then that was floated

and we we talked a lot out at octave but it didn't didn't really get -- There until the option. In it occured back when it. It at the back you know lapse ultimately -- them and public to think that I don't -- to it and I'm. Alternately -- but in a trade at a pretty fair opera we didn't go all the way. What they're looking format picket 11 hour they would if they opt for. Decided not -- it now and in the end I don't think our offensive. -- here is attributable use a lot of.

Well why did he want to come it was a matter of at bats are playing time or at the city.

Yet you know he is in a situation where really. First -- just start about it and start. But a big numbers he wanted to go to situation he he he played every single that.

Not every every single -- not -- Players ultimately on that you considered that. The word I got. The group also used it obviously got the long term -- Chicago. When where how far along what I guess in retrospect his father Juan knocked it down.

You confirm or deny you'll -- did capital with 332 million dollar bill. Pleased I don't know.

At this point I can it Earnhardt and but no I think gated.

Yet you -- here aren't the actually surprised. It turned. -- gave been. That -- is these people ID -- aren't we committed to open or that action players speak in the play in -- I wish you good luck.

I -- let himself go -- like 300 now.

Our -- our work out if it deal we always or most difficult question for last year ready. But here with the white thing amenities that the accent.

I don't know -- but. You guys were -- Hewitt search the answer that now.

Issues that team issued that this.

I don't know I don't think so but no and -- on the way we all make --

So that your luck considering replacing your Pearl Jam capital one although if.

Now I don't hear it all our ideal place I would credit bank lowered. Aren't knocked it on the -- the to a team -- Kelly