Ken Rosenthal, Fox Baseball Insider

That was one of the highlights of our baseball season last year. When we would make a regular weekly visit with our baseball insider Ken Rosenthal from fox sports course -- national baseball coverage fox sports dot com. And now we are very happy to report that he is back for another season and joins us right now hey camp how are. Well that's another Tuesday that means that are about our fourth different opening day here in Boston -- tests. When you're the -- We have Japanese players these things happen.

But Kennedy you think there will be any type of hangover for the Red Sox going forward let's say. On May first will we will we be talking about the Japan handled for the Sox.

You might be be. Are back you know or believe the Yankees it's 41 -- one -- in I think there was maybe a carrier respect. And keeping in mind reflect talks are fairly difficult schedule in able -- We were talking about -- travel I think it's possible that there's going to be some kind of I just feel overall I guess I'm in the minority feeling its way at what they eating and very good thing -- sport. In when he signed Matsuzaka. To a lesser extent Okajima -- surely had to note that. The future trip to Japan might be part of.

North interest that you are in the minority or is. As far as people I've heard I haven't heard many people -- a positive spin on I don't know why why do you think was good for the sport.

Because they do you think it's important to recognize that the sport is now global. The World Baseball Classic is coming back express and of course it's great it's national that the first. The Red Sox really have -- the Japanese market players in -- Different and I think it tapped the market for each respective Major League Baseball certainly have as well players and economics. It -- China. Forced future perhaps that's what the Dodgers and Padres went there and thank -- that he or right they went their exhibition game. So I think you're going to take yourself as -- or international global. Sport it certainly have to keep things like and there's nobody years myself and others criticize -- the progress and.

For being kind of -- in the NBA in the NFL team like this -- cute things like this I don't think it's fair to criticize -- I think is healthy I think -- to continue maybe could be expanded upon in future years.

You know having made the trip to Tokyo myself and -- I'm with you will about how was good for baseball and I had a chance to see. A Japanese baseball fans responded particularly to the Red Sox even more than the days. But I also think I underestimated the effect it was going to have. Now that I've been through -- CNET I think it will have a maybe not a dramatic effect but some effect early on. -- in all not seem to get the you can. -- that's really thought I was ER IP.

The olympics eat and they threw weeks obviously had more I read it you guys -- And yet there's no question it takes a toll on person but that the same time. I think there's a responsibility the players franchise -- organization your sport. These -- report it down line. They need it would dividends the -- if they get in next Japanese store so all the complaining it's going. There are clearly benefit as well I think those benefits openly. More significant sport and jet -- for some -- helping these talent and not dismissing. What that was for the Red Sox and for the aids unit much at BA's about it that way but I do you think that there's greater.

You know -- in in the piece that you wrote on fox sports dot com today you talked about how sometimes opening day doesn't mean anything some times it does mean something. -- I'm I'm going to try not to read too much ended dice K's performance in Tokyo a week ago. But I will probably be more curious tonight than I would have been normally based on what I saw against the -- the first time sure.

There's no way for any of plastic grass. What is emotions were that -- Can not believe that that did have significant effect Alley pitch or at least some. So short of action -- tonight is that I believe. Averaged more pitches per start in any pitcher in Major League Baseball last year granted that's him. That's what he's done his whole career but the one concern with. When they signed him one that. There's an innings back on there there's a lot of pitches that have been thrown a lot of innings that it worked in at some point wonder whether it catches up but keep in mind. All that in -- first or Japan I I just have to think it. Part of that at least was. Really fired up yesterday for example -- the coast person after the -- it would wipe out. Kerry Wood hit Rickie Weeks first battery mate Kerry -- was really hyped up. -- I'm sure Matsuzaka experience all of that in effect of that is -- an agreement TV. After all to all of that was the most emotion I think I've ever received game it was really stunning. See how fired up you tell there's a lot else going on there.

You know -- most baseball experts like yourself I think the Red Sox are going to have a pretty good run here in the post season or will at least get to the post season. I want to know from view who do you think is going to be the most disappointing team in ideally we've hyped up than won't deliver.

played the crowd.

The tigers could be that team is very similar in some way they beat up. Questions about pitched in yesterday's type games very Tuesday because it kind of attitude of foreshadowed what scored -- They scored four runs to -- out. And in the future it would have -- often but the bullpen. A lot of -- inherited runners scored elderly in likely -- pitched against the people. So the tigers -- are -- and respect the Yankees sent the Yankees to me. To roll with it and perhaps -- she's young and the in. Hughes and I think he just in terms but expectations for any. In in the bullpen shortly after like Chamberlain there in the back question but before that there is a question so. Why it's being worked on orders explained after the team get the -- and run the pretty much going to make the playoffs almost about what happened. There is the possibility for one of those teams because the pitching question.

Not I don't want to put words -- out loud how -- ask you if you feel this way. The biggest difference between the Red Sox pitching staff but it's our staff about the rotation in the yankees' staff its Josh Beckett. Because the Red Sox up for questions to ask him -- out rotation.

No doubt I would today but can it not because both pitchers -- While the Yankees -- starters aren't as well. The state where Juan is. True ace or number two he's certainly not that so -- Beckett is one huge different change. Somebody's got -- Chamberlain could be as they could if that'll be addressed but as anybody -- Papelbon. Quite that good if -- is what what let these. -- the Red Sox these. Is largely contingent on the help by were Beckett Matsuzaka Papelbon Ramirez Ortiz. Those guys for the most part were helped. Which he had been need that at the three week thing but there were out there. If they're not out there may be more oval but look like a.

I'm wondering in and we're going to need probably a couple more years to finally get an ultimate answer on this but as -- as we look at it right now. I'm wondering if the Barry Zito contract signing by the San Francisco Giants won't prove to be. Even dumber deal on the Mike Hampton contract was back in the day.

When you're ranked don't POL it's kind of difficult because they're out there but. That one right now. Looks worse and worse and reading accounts -- 8845 miles per hour that is clearly. -- 88. The problem. It's coming into the giant -- the drop. Strikeout rate has been thinking yours -- swings and misses yesterday 87 pitches. He right now looks -- like in the worst so that deal is different and.

Staying with the giants just very briefly here and peripherally at that. It will anybody give Barry Bonds a job this year.

I don't think so and certainly as we get the agent alliance American team perhaps loses the age. Certainly -- can't play we saw that last spoken really hit. That maybe make a play -- maybe even a World Series can't. But I -- world there's Barry Bonds people scream and they follow also wears again. You have the issue of the trial -- which I think he could deal yet he just use of his. Negative image in what he brings to a club out. But there's so much. Negative which it's just difficult right think any team just ivory he is simple barely or. Of cancer that the borders trying to package of courses performance enhancing drugs gained.

And if the team work to do it Kenny would it be. Team like Tampa not a Tampa Baltimore. Which really is that struggling with fans or is is the contender what what does that what does the profile of the team that will be interest in Barry Bonds.

I think the profile is the team in contention and desperate to each -- in. What do David Ortiz auspices now -- and that's it I'm very often that. Breakup of the great duo. Then I think -- have to talk about. Tampa Bay is pitchers being because they're going to be better people have thought. And certainly look like that would help that I have to make that case for the number of San Diego you know Barry's not read -- and -- They could use more pop in it well. Just seem to need at which it and law popular. Negatives outweigh the positive. It it's going to be situation where I have to be desperate and have to be desperate -- Who knows what he settled Kenny Lofton. Different Barry obviously but he's still out there because people that'll work one of these low base salary I let them --

What you're looking for Lofton are talking about.

He turned out more than in the camp that. I pretty much is but.

It -- 4142.

In the playoffs every year but the market for those guys has changed. I talked in. Field he's not on its own -- short these at a certain players they mean that are earning the right to collect eight.

any names I had to restart. --

And I think with Barry there's going to be some of that as well.

And Kenny what what what year -- I just jumped I just jump -- and failures and he had your name formed. What are you hear on the Coco Crisp trade for a if anything.

Quiet right now I think it's going to be quiet for awhile. I don't even know there was ever hot at any because of course it was reported spring but at some point they're going to make it. It's somewhat dependent he's involved if -- turn that they need pitching which. Probably through will be the case then he becomes the piece is that pitcher whether rotation bullpen so. Right now have to battle it. You'll and with Giles very -- let's the military doesn't hit 180. People and grateful question again whether you actually read.

Having had chance to see Oakland up close and personal for a couple of games in Tokyo. I'm more baffled than ever by what Billy beane is doing there here's his minor league system at the top was bereft of talent -- my understanding had to go out and get some good young players to try to restock. But the Nick Swisher deal baffled everybody including me they just signed him to a contract he was popular he's a good player and now there's the possibility that either Blanton or or. May be even and maybe even Harden would be dealt on top of all at what is being doing out no.

What he's doing is what team has done dale including them all twins. In these types of situations over the last 1015 years went down to build back -- and I do grass. And -- Richard deal. That was pretty lopsided in newspaper in terms of the -- prospects he got back people couldn't believe it at duke in. In terms of where they are valued in the game today it's pretty. So what they're doing is opening stadium to believe in 2000. He strike out.

Maybe David and got approval yet.

True British trying to as simple as much and to a set as they would that fall -- in become competitive again. Brett but don't have to worry about that the Yankees were about as the teams in more revenue challenged positions can't sustain themselves over. 101520 year period they have the up and down up again in. He's been very successful let them all extremely successful the Orioles try it now and it's going to have very. Or results early on too but some of these teams the only way to.

McKinney what -- here you're TV schedule is that we look at this year I'd really -- to have the Red Sox and Yankees on fox and no that's not going to happen if they never get any public. What's what your schedule look like in the next month or month month and a half.

You know what I think. I think you know if you -- Kansas -- these questions -- understandable -- But that's the only lost it anyway just because you asked the Red Sox Yankees either but as we however. Next weekend. Yankees Mets and if we bring this series and I think there are two other Yankees Red Sox games that we have. 1 in July and September. This year and of course actually there are three others on July and of course lap facing other opponents as well are they bought -- York.

And I -- just declare I decided to -- hard time and if I enjoy the national coverage that the guy that you got to a great job so.

Tote bag quite like -- about to -- without Estes but I took control of.

A final play from me at least before before we let -- go. I I I am more convinced than ever that one of the stories of the year in Major League Baseball will take place right here believe it or not and that's going to be. All of a sudden a guy like Bartolo Colon beat him okay again.

Nobody teams have in winter and only he -- it really turned off. That was just wait city and certainly from what the Red Sox saying. And so far. It looks -- in Puerto without threat idiot nationals pitching on opening night between five good innings. He was also in the mix regret so it's possible that. Injuries and be effective major league pitcher. It would be great for the Red Sox that happen -- any number rated number reason but again.

No I've never knows that. -- it's always fun to talk baseball with you were looking forward to doing it each and every week and we will run into each other I'm sure at the parks him. -- that thanks Ken Ken Rosenthal from fox sports. Fox sports dot comedies obviously part of the MLB on fox baseball package as well are are baseball inside with a -- in every