8-4-08 Theo Epstein, Executive VP/General Manager

Joining us on the telephone line right now is the general manager. Of the Boston Red Sox since I find the right button to push Theo Epstein as for the sake PO I don't doubt it I'm doing great you lose sleep the last couple Vegas. Little sleep finally the last couple days. Yeah yeah oh oh is enjoy that post that -- Especially.

You know Theo dale asked you about sleep which reminds me of -- story from 2004 after you traded on Nomar. You said that you had to take sleeping pills because there was such dramatic trade. And it was on your mind you just needed to take something to get some sleep now this is a pretty bold trade -- two of Manny Ramirez what did you have to do this time.

Not that. Read it that I've. Two World Series -- later I think we felt pretty you know where parent organization. I. We were all pretty pleased that the out we were not pleased about the situation. All things considered. We're pretty active out. Impacted the team -- rested this year. And especially -- the or in the futures we it was not easy thing to do and certainly know what you wake up every day at -- there's advocate in the the circumstance of but he leaves well.

Since you became general manager I think we have heard whispers. About Manny Ramirez possibly getting traded or Manny Ramirez requesting a trade Manny is not happy on and on the litany goes. What made this year different.

Well you know I think every every year bring the different circumstance the bank. Couple things are different one news yeah the end of the contract. You know I think ultimately got traded -- as. There's certain things that occurred but he -- in the position are better off. It -- trade and again that he now. It's better to talk about this. In the forever in the -- about -- Than any one individual. -- got to a point where things were different in the past. Given all the information we. More than what you got.

No need to run and yeah. I. I -- think you know not all. They talk about it it here it.

you know given that the two option years seemed to be such a huge deal here was there ever any thought in your mind. That if you simply told Manny Ramirez Manny we're not going to pick up the option years at the end of the deal you're going to be -- free agent at the end of the season that that would have changed the attitude at all.

Everything everything was on.

What what's your philosophy on asking team leaders about a place.

I don't specifically I don't have anyone on the team that was about trade. -- and or. When certain issues come up that I. I mean in the field from what's real and -- Just imagine. It's partly that but in other -- I think there's there can mean and is while it is huge distraction. As such an issue -- distraction but not actually acting. Other individuals on the not let you know we're losing and not -- that -- It is sort of look at result and attributed to something that you might consider -- distraction but that I don't know it it there there and I would -- back. Things that are so. To winning it and is that important that I -- you know on the players. Talk to certain there's there is what's real -- as you ever allowed open it was just imagine. Decision making and -- strategy.

The trade happened on July 31 the trading deadline when did you say to yourself into your staff. Definitely this trade is we have to trade Manny Ramirez was in on the 27 when he went when that when that happens.

Never you can you can never going to. We absolutely. That half of the -- and that they -- or strategy Wednesday it would be better off. Trade and yet at lie in terms and that's it you know -- and so -- that line. The and able to get back to any return. -- Jason Barrett lined up yet but that it worked hard at it. Yet today -- you know work and make. I think there's been worse off. There's no no return coming out it.

While I know no one within the organization is asking Jason Bay to be Manny Ramirez and it probably unrealistic to ask anyone to do that. What was it about bay. That made him so attractive to you and in fact is you just said crucial -- you we've been doing it.

I think the fact that it. Look forward to. Like -- injured areas and it happened in the 2009. Eaton and there's. Huge priority for -- this winner to go -- right handed hitting. Last fielder to be in the middle order. To wire. There was going to be a time in -- in the in real. It's -- it and -- There as well is going to be I'm happy about that on any is that. And -- Looked at the club well we didn't want to just the together. Outlet built in -- at young players rated as that and and make -- impact or that position. On them but he. It is today all of the belt Oilers and the -- players that the help our ops so used target for us whether it is it not only the winner -- seem like everything that point on the in my right. Considering certain. Trading. That the rest than what many ridiculous this year for what they had in the expense and fortunately at the of the young players certainly that the deal we made every day that read this letter to. And -- for for bad day. Indeed it was taken a lot or. Make that deal and while we like about paying the players if accurate western. It is very solid. All round. Baseball player his use it very offensive player. Is he rejects -- just -- many offensively. You know. This not all that far behind in the distracted. Really get better but that is due in no way is one -- disputed injury. And very quality outfielder. Runs the bases well it. It is important to be in a baseball player or help when it. In a cup is different. But it. It is.

One of the concerns callers have expressed talking to us about this deal. Is the effective might have on David Ortiz his production in your batting order is that a concern for you or do we over rate that.

I understand the concern that this case it is that matchup. With reality. Well not all of -- has -- has it that the numbers instructive. In should Ortiz his entire career with the -- Oh yes. With any inning behind them at an. Yes without it. Within one percentage. Especially if you look over the last three years he'd sit here without and here. -- and so I understand their concerns and natural. Beeped and it but in this case -- the match.

You know in the last three or four years maybe even longer. The phrase Manny being Manny has been in has become part of Boston pop culture part of our lexicon. Not that you have many regrets in the last four years to championships over that span. But I think it's fair that the organization did walk on egg shells at times when Manny had his episodes. For fear of losing him when you think back now. Do you think. Maybe I should've said something or maybe we should have been a little more vocal. When Manny did some of these things. For fear of making people think that we -- in English.

Well. It would be here making people Hitler's. -- last at air out there realities which. You know there -- a lot of things that went on behind the scenes when we did -- but. You know even even this year. On the average on the prepared we will deal with things that somewhat. I think we -- them fairly fairly authoritative fashion. And -- reasonable fashion. One thing we will not news trade around and however on what's gone on behind it means to makers those looked -- in. And embarrass the player we don't believe in. Harming other players public Cleveland. There's been a year when this is all so I think you know I think it then. That delicate situation over the years when you have. Ball well there's now in the difficult thing. To navigate I'm sure they're in and year out. Sure hope we handled it pretty darn well and it. Productive in every year two World Series last four years thanks art art. -- and and then. When things really went out it's certain. Largely out of our role and very that in view is today is really good player and a longer term that --

You know. We heard through through back channels I guess that you know Manny is not. Happy with the front office he says some things about ownership that they went into your face and if it's open -- behind your back. When did you get the sense that. -- for lack of a better phrase that Manny was mad at you with a back in third grade fourth grade when did you find out he was mad at you.

What we've. Consistently. In -- and the been a lot of that. All on his contract. At. -- That. You know -- that I really don't -- and happy. Out you'd -- up ownership. I'm been really happy at a time out it doesn't matter not. Jamont not to make a trade because -- Ownership management. But it insult or invasion wedding reception -- Reality what what matters is. -- these days a years actually word that our chances to win it or an act that Beckett is. And no you know want to hear this that you'd think that people -- not about every better and it point 28. All the real close match was actually expecting our ability to -- compete. And so we made a move based on. -- make the ownership unhappy occult and to care if it all out when. If you affect our ability to win and that's the these in. Others. Chipped there's a lot ball and in the process that was one we went ten days. Our evaluation when. It reached the point where. We're better off. It I'd better off in the chance when it better off an agent movement of the.

David Ortiz in this morning's Boston Herald said that in his last at bat last night he felt. A clicked in his in his injured wrist and that it caused him -- some concern. I do you know at this point whether David Ortiz is fine and misses the normal thing that he's going to have to fight through from time to time.

You know we'll find out -- you know. So imagine that added and we were told to back there they're -- now. Irregularities. In the way that the normal. Course this is so. My hope and expectation is that. Not being in the and in the lineup though and --

Did you find that because so many teams are still in the playoff hunt. That this was a harder trading season and most some big names move teams but -- seemed to be fewer deals than we've seen in the past.

written beat them -- the last two years that this is difficult for any period that they. Huge premium. Justifiably -- based on young players and prospects and could be made that level that it the way deal. -- and and a lot of political wildcard. If you really far out of -- that are now altogether so that's the reality is. The trading market.

There are are couple stories out there one stories that Manny was taking a nap during the trading deadline insert your own joke there I'll leave that alone. But another story is that. After the deadline. He contacted you guys -- that's got -- contact you to say if you drop those option years I'll be good soldiers accurate. --

Private conversation that he now is in the -- get out under any certain.

Are you trying to make another addition to this team between now and the end of August which would be the -- The period where player would be eligible to be playoff eligible.

And we always are around players at waivers. Rose static in the best -- And get better. Yeah I think it. It is aunts and mightily on -- about more -- Or you know we get -- you know right leg. In the -- reality. Those players -- attainable for us for the not wavered and some -- it will be after.

Do you expect there to be more blocking this year.

Prices and their career. -- Don't want to be here and there. -- now mister --

Theo you alluded to this before. Giving up some things you want to give up as part of this trade -- given up Manny fine. I was gonna have to happen to a mosque in Hansen. Two productive guys at times for you. Are are you surprised that she had to add the let's call the seven million dollars a sweetener. At the seven million dollars we know given Manning's production forget about the behavior just its production are you surprised that that needed to. Beat -- for a deal to get.

I don't -- called the -- read -- management salaries sweeteners are right after the deal of the words and we first made any infallible. Out of things all of the salary there lose zero interest in all of baseball. Not a single team acquire them but for an entire salary. Even and real -- doubles and three at fourteen and -- fortunate and the you know we did having. --

I mean not that he's not a player anymore do you think that's fair vote for them I mean in other words if you're on the other side. Would you be in the same would you say the same thing I am not interest in this -- of salary.

And there is a great years Hughes. The right Pittsburgh. Mark of I would think the Dodgers mega deal out there and very motivated that your leaders. Motivated the numbers. He's motivated. This team well the restores reputation and I think he's going to be a and it wire or that. Any trade that. -- surprised at salary. Reality is. Are are offered an entire salary is. Even three if Ortiz interest and we knew we knew it refuted that that line that in order to get back. But it is that in the lineup right now keep this -- at a player like that that there return on and even thank you all out it was going to be enough to get back there is our our hope was and it. We give up prospects. For any support to go to Tibet but there it was clear early on. They -- more and we weren't going to be able under these certain that we weren't immediately it. And yet today that we. What wrestled well would be. Yeah and under the circumstances. Make this trade. -- there. To keep us this isn't a position player in baseball the rest of this year and that -- went well left field goal or keep on. I've been under on. Force that we. In golf world in in -- this trade was made an attempt to get a.

Even though I'm not a -- on -- wall I can almost guarantee that when you have scouting meetings. You have draft meetings. You were very rarely is unanimous. With your baseball operations staff on a player. So in this case when it came time to trade Manny Ramirez was this unanimous. In baseball operations that everybody agree yes this is the right deal let's do.

is -- and is adamant that spared the under the circumstances again on operating in the back under the circumstances. Turning and in the at at even at this cost. Was the right thing to do it helped -- competitive without a in the while.

Final question from me talked about the record for your franchise here over the last six weeks -- so. Is it fair to say that your team is underachieving right now.

I think it's fair to say that. If you look at the fact we've about run differential American League which often indicate the best. But there is different and loud and -- which translated for a law though. I think there's that we. Under he bum well a lack of effort. It. -- this interaction. I think that you think about the the it's been one of those years that's run differential. Has translated into results. Fifteen straight one road losses on the road at a ball been excruciating. Any of those fifteen then like last night at the tying run ninety feet underneath you -- Just all you know at bat question -- when -- Just all that fault though if it -- one -- losses on the road. Tournament to win it is normally -- 501 game girl but -- him up in the division but. Doctor out out as we lost its own. The reality is differential doesn't doesn't that -- your record yet did you have to turn and run differential in. Intensity going forward is dockside on our hands at this rate it'll last all the way number. The best.

I'm still reeling from the we know some things that you don't know comment.

You know nobody left on the record. Really -- you gotta know that I don't know how. I doubt there feel -- to drop its alignment. That they are we appreciate time is always thank you. Take care. And his the laps in the general manager of the Boston Red Sox.