05-27-08 Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Every Tuesday at this time we talk baseball with -- box baseball insider you can read him on foxsports.com watch him on the fox baseball package on the weekends. Ken Rosenthal is with a -- and I you know. I feel great thanks ten. Good it's oxygen around -- get away well around I had. I got a thought about going through along beat throughout the first day at some body in this and this a no hitter but -- Hey I got to ask it and we'll start here edit out anybody colonial -- I know you -- let's live it down it's it's just the way he has. I gotta say the the meeting Willie Randolph had with ownership in New York yesterday was. Pretty unusual something that you would expect to see normally hand and then -- and get their rear end handed to him again much longer -- for this job.

This homestand is very important if a spotter they'll snap at -- away. Probable will be. I say that knowing that were believing it was probably would be yesterday. But we -- that they want to give him more time a clearly what he is now. The focus and shipped or vomit on and the team is to get its team of older players it's. With several injury prone players it is also -- lack any cohesion and I got to -- on up on this. If you -- I hope -- chipped up by now but it's going to be going to whipped about the -- the Tigers now. Three high -- the BT that lacked cohesiveness fire that it would ever work you want to use all came -- words. And index all I actually were -- Red Sox as sort of the ideal here. -- not just because they mixed together players to -- and cultures which challenged all. Well also they have all -- young and old. Accomplished and role player -- wealthy and hungry you name it they've got it. It all seems to work they also at the right manager. These other teams. For whatever reasons are -- in the area.

What can I just wanna I wanna make sure I understand how we got is when Willie Randolph did they. And by -- I mean now ownership on the -- That they want to fire him after the collapse last year I made the because if you look at his right. Okay well I don't understand it 2006 he takes them the game seven the number two World Series 2007 the collapse was. I mean it was a story. And 2008 -- get off to a slow start so it would it would have three years. 34 years on the job the guy has proven that he can at least get his team into contention and get him at the post season. Why exactly are -- having this firing conversation.

Well Michael in. Last year or last consecutive game they've played there's 7980. Airport to count as a -- have to pour record in that long.

May be they web continue to say that they they've got. You gotta look at the mix the mixture of this team know.

I holed up -- it and it's true I also believe -- Willie was going to be the manager. And I had no problem that. It brought it. Ignored it Ryan Church and Brian Schneider all good dish but addition that helped them performance slides but not issues that are. Can't expect every managers be. Ella eat at a Bobby talked strong leader to stamp. Very like that actually. But if you don't have that type of manager I need to go out -- players that lo these police now. Make it work that way. -- So we US should Willie Randle -- responsible well the reason I would hold them responsible is because even. -- challenges in this job. You're with the kind of team -- now he's not getting hit and the problem I think they say in one of the reasons he has the is that there -- guy out there probably better.

On no Gary Carter's ready willing and able.

He did and that was about it on the music get people out there don't know what you're talking about. Gary Carter basically campaign -- went out last week.

Basically campaign for Willie Randolph get fired so he could have a.

Get higher yet had just missed this stuff we talked about all the time on radio or read about it. I'm never comfortable with it never happy I should say writing about this kind. Because we are taught people -- game Willie Randolph or any other managers might. Like whatever. It's still their life's work that passion and it's difficult and it tore through a difficult -- question.

You talked about blending the old in new of the Red Sox have. Giving you that the last week we've seen Jon Lester and Justin Masterson inside the last night we saw Bartolo Colon. Give them a very good start what do you expect from Bartolo Colon.

Now I remembered they'll ask -- about the few weeks ago and it's pretty negative it and I remain skeptical but at the same time. These two start an impressive -- especially. And I was told -- came out potential line most well. In the third base to beep -- because of that which you know what what I read this. He relied mostly spent all last seem to work very well for him because he was able to spot. It is a question whether physically will be okay I question whether he can bring it like it every night but. They didn't sign him to be at thirty start got. It's time to get as much they could and so far so --

Terry Francona was adamant over the weekend that when healthy and off the DL Clay Buchholz is not going into the bullpen. And I know the the cliche is these things always work themselves out translated means somebody will get hurt. But if nobody gets hurt what are they going to do.

That's a great question -- and it's kind of questioned the team's relish frankly because it means they have to -- good players mr. position. I'm not sure -- I think. Noticed that the -- works out in. You never know what's going to happen over the course several weeks and what players might get it. So baseball people they all these things have a way of working well now. Well threat but hopefully that's what does because it is difficult.

You know the key question we have surprise contenders is how much wiggle room do they have how much room do they have to go out in. Add payroll if necessary remember when Kansas City under Tony Pena. One year there I think there's seven games up at the all star break in the and they made some very mediocre -- acquisition paid. Well what Tampa. I know it's only may but they are leading AL least save there hang around after the all star break right around us let -- say. A July 15 to July 20 they're still in the they have. Any flexibility -- they add payroll significant payroll.

that's great questions and answers yes. But he -- more we. Where you'd technically -- Now there's an injury according on the position pretty it will -- and there are age where -- will be short. Most likely is the -- and -- up Purcell a whole year is done while. Title bout so he can you reliever in July opposite competition for those pitchers Spears. And also in general -- not expect so I would imagine Internet yet however there attendance has -- all of.

You've got three division leaders right now. Who were sub 500 a year ago Tampa's one Chicago White Sox or another Florida Marlins -- third. Are any of those three for real free of.

deep enough into the season they they are all for real. If you're asking -- each of those teams waited division that's different question. But can't debate certainly. And I would hope I would think without stand for the most would agree is a -- and it -- that. Because -- pitching has improved so much in the -- can really be. These long whether they overtake the Red Sox. -- That's probably reach this point they have shown they can handle that kind of pressure but. The White Sox. It's -- this weekend offensively they -- challenge right now and I wondered it's going to get much better. But there's starting pitching has been much better and anticipate if bullpen has been surprised. They didn't go out spend money on that they did but it's still been more effective a lot of people including myself but it would be. -- They are for real because they're division is not a we've certainly expected in Detroit. Yes I would say they are and the ones that the question most of them all because of this story -- which is not very. Park while the pitching coach there's been terrific job and 82 are benefiting from a division -- yet to really catch fire. Ultimately the Phillies their rate of that I I believe that. But actually have to do it but we can certainly say well -- You -- all these in these teams still level. Yet if -- native tomorrow I like the Orioles yours back. It -- June July the it is. The Marlins pitching like compromised some but they're pretty.

That team had Bruce Chen as like a number what number two or number three starter.

Like that -- any -- two months from now when these two of these street -- teams drop which could. Eight get a promised these guys were real -- like go -- is what do you right now and there's enough talent on each of those well.

What can on this -- we never mind people they don't know -- never know how we don't bring up old stuff like that everybody makes mistakes can.

Well open and I'll probably make it is what is probably will fall but. What you watch them play. Especially -- all their -- pretty impressive it's razor impressive and the White Sox articles that are. Accomplished of this group would think -- state because -- but he -- but baseball is no weird sport what happened.

Speaking of baseball be in a weird sport David Ortiz was very vocal this week. When he was talking about these efforts by umpires the commissioner's office I don't know who. Well who wants to speed up -- and he saying c'mon I step out of the box because I'm thinking in the pitcher's trying to do the same thing to me. Is this something that's going to be enforced the rest of the season or that's going to be one of those five -- I think -- few years ago where they decided -- call a block and.

Certainly it may be threats in the past have not carried and rules -- on the books baseball saying okay now don't force. I am more partial Ortiz -- point of view and baseball. If you look at the team -- the the biggest and urged the red the Yankees. Doctors as one of the American League club I believe it matters of the top by the gained at least a check last week. In almost every one of those --

Working from the bottom it's Red Sox Yankees Tigers right dodgers' Matt.

That's right Tigers via a well all five of those teams have rabbit and basis rather pleased with the well except for the Tigers order right now. So the issue for the fans there watching television which they are if they're going to the game which they answer why is baseball though that's. That's the question I have and there's no really going to have any leads to the next question which is well how it would introduce replace. Successful way without further contributing to the time of English hate it it issues they call. And but -- last last week told me that these separate issues we play can be introduced okay but. To me it's much ado about and you know what I wrote comment as well last week initiative -- strong -- we never have that regret.

I guess my credit that's all right right we're counting roar -- My one of my favorites stats in baseball and it's a sport replete stats is run differential and and it is the reason for me. The Arizona Diamondbacks aren't getting as much credit as they deserve. They've scored just slightly fewer runs -- the Red Sox so far this year they've given up a lot fewer runs. I think the Diamondbacks are real wagon.

Funny -- last year remember the criticism of the not back. We talked to people thought they were -- that when differential there were outscored last year when 98 not any. -- tells you that that. Either real good indicator of the underlying trend of the thirteen to outperform or underperform their runs different but for the most part tell you -- a team should be. It's not a -- they're pretty darn good. And granted they have some issues and then not. For example they are not against right handed pitchers but potent they should be Chad Tracy his return might help. But overall that's pretty complete with -- and they'll. Yelled at -- in Atlanta that this -- or or just a head. And it was on keeping that went on but the rotation excellent ball pretty good in. Which -- you know what the team's for real they are for.

By the way good news for you your rip job of build a -- the Omar -- I had Dave Dombrowski is now up so we can all enjoy how you rip. These general managers I'm I'm teasing the little bit because it's always the manager who gets blamed and it's never the guy who -- team together.

Total -- up but it is point fingers at these guys thing. These teams are not -- that capability in large part because they were slapped together without much regard to you how to. And need to very important consideration that people -- not scream when guys like you're right his. I'm sorry there's something to and if you ever go to a club out. You know there's -- five play good or bad that can contribute. At least we'll be overall own entity that would make guys play better or necessarily but it's back.

I guess that's why those cycles you could go. On and on and and say well where does that things start what is it and.

Great question and understand is that guys and they go crazy about it at all performance.

But you know again you can look at it this way to figure it out. All the teams that are underperforming right now. Just pick the team with the best manager. And that team is probably going to get out of it because a great manager can say -- I understand this team is flawed in. We have some chemistry issues but I know how to how to piece -- together to make it at least serviceable maybe we will all win the World Series but. Consolation prize will be -- just getting the wildcard and that -- that might be my best managing.

Ecstatic that point McConnell. Change the point and make is that Leland and the best chance of getting his team it because green.

He's the best do you think that that do you think that. A first year manager with a New York Yankees has the ability to get his team out of the funk. Because they're still have when I last checked either in -- down near the last five straight recently and I at all. --

Go beyond match and for the Yankees this is always going to be he's in a transition. I've mentioned it here before. Because they're trying to working on the pitchers because -- several older players as well they're not quite with the Red Sox are. Majority of players in their prime -- approaching. -- Adamant about did you guys now in -- go to Pedro go. Like always the exception because they've recited 33. But they are adamant about keeping guys getting guys late twenties early thirties that's when players -- their -- That's when the Red Sox want. Yankees have very few guys. And for that reason Joe Girardi was it would be and it had its repeatedly Randall and right now. There's these. Joe Torre brought the it is best managing job. Joe Girardi do that I would hesitate.

Be interesting to see if that if he pulls it up Sunday home game this weekend -- they -- Red Sox Orioles made.

I hit actually really good. It Dodgers at that Joe Torre returns to New York and Willie Randolph on not.

Can be stilled -- by then. Generally appreciate double tucked in next week our agency -- Ken Rosenthal from fox foxsports.com. And the baseball package on Fox's -- was -- information on there as well when you watch the games