11-6-08 Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Our our next guest is kind of wrapping up the baseball season forest here -- was very gracious on Election Day on Tuesday and allowing us to kind of postpone this thing. And what was really nice is that that meant that -- gets to join Michael holly as well -- back with us today joining us now. On the eighteenth tee hotline from fox sports is our body Ken Rosenthal again. -- our -- congratulations. Thank you Kenny I know you're an element of -- how many would be calling you for some advice because I.

How television do that but congratulations I thought I hit my only advice. Ever really going to give it right and nobody at all yeah. Everybody expert they had best therapy the world you -- everybody else but.

I'll pick and choose a potentially be very selective and the guys that. And as I as I look at some of the reports out of Dana Point, California and one of them just cracked me up today. I seen everywhere -- Dodgers prepare monster offered to Manny Ramirez and and gigantic offer and I think in. Scott Boras thing about half of what I'm looking for.

Well. They made an offer came your right it is probably less -- apple -- looking for but. We get somewhat. Cheat toward the numbers. They offered him the second highest average annual salary of any player like are they -- Now even though it's only a few years at most great. That's very significant off. -- a monster off. And while -- I want more. The Dodgers clearly want the message out that and they want the player but not on that we is.

They -- the market going to be forward for Jason Varitek -- terms of length of contract and and most importantly how much that contract it's going to be --

I asked for years two point four million. I would be on it but Varitek got more than two years. And more than. An eight. That is about where I think it will be and listen we all respect Varitek greatly. And what he -- that he does strip and is lining up at the numbers but. The offensive numbers are -- And catchers can go quickly as you know so. Why you believe that there will be significant interest in him. Whether it's on the tiger's doctors from other club. He's not getting deal that fourth.

And the other question on the minds of Red Sox fans is what characters will be available when we we available we've heard. All. I JP he's name come up and trade discussions we've heard of of of some other guys coming up in discussions but not many catchers any guys out there that the Red Sox can -- committing.

What's been written about the Rangers is accurate. They actually have more Major League ready catcher and various stages of their development our career. The most experience is Gerald where you will most likely ago but there are perfectly comfortable trading two of those war. And the other names -- Turkey Gordon actually meters and of course Garrett all amok yet. And there's clearly a match the -- not to let -- some of their young talent whether it actually transpires Pluto but. That is one -- all the things that is he'd been catch.

You know it's funny sometimes and a guy like Boris kind of leads the pack in this regard sometimes. He likes to draw things out he likes to drag things out. But this year's free agency may be marked as much by the presidential election. Of a couple of days ago -- anything else I'm reading comments from agents. Talking about bigger signing bonuses -- before January 1 before the tax rate changes. How much will the political climate change the baseball negotiating climate.

Probably to some degree -- but. I'll look short too much. Most of the big deals generally art -- work at burst out -- can drag out beyond at an ad in the past. Beltran on January signing. Ignored billions of February I think you'll get out. Most signings occur in December. And the way to structure the -- a shorter ways. That they get them done in time. To. Obviously eat that -- situation -- in the.

Maybe you can help us -- I ask that the question here a day or so ago and I don't know the answer. When was the last time Scott Boras client took a pay cut.

Pay cut I'm not sure about but the hack at some failures in recent years Jeff -- the most notable. And Egypt ache and yet when he left. St. Louis. He went. Exactly where where he wound up. It's Seattle all eat out in Seattle it was a one year deal with a pay cut by about ten million -- then of course generic career disintegrated. How Lohse last year got on the one year deal by keeping or Saturday players in general. Really. It's just who it -- the war. It in arbitration. And then they get increase -- free agency until they start eight so. Isn't often -- obviously one is as if the cut but there have been on where he ever gotten. Hopefully want. I would even -- joke western category. -- it was thirty the -- dollar deal with -- years but what more mature years editor Gerald young got.

Then where's Mark Teixeira going to be plan next year.

Not to. My guess would be not Los Angeles. And I mean the Angels. And -- I'd say that is because it will enough and -- out. And once they're able to plot to other free agent next Friday. They're going to staircase Scott well you know offered to share we believe that the where harper take you leader or else we move on. And under that scenario the Angels were just another thing they'll be out. There -- compelled to most likely the Red Sox and Yankees. With the Orioles. A 100 to one long shot. And what the Red Sox and Yankees. Obviously the early eighties with the -- But the red spot you could argue. Because of the sort of little ol' Andy. Any decline of Ortiz. At just the Big East for Teixeira. My question remains how do you all make it work and Red -- have a payroll flexibility always. To take on things to worry about it later. But may at the trade Mike Lowell and marcher people -- What is June or July. Or be -- to do specially if you don't come back in the old my goal.

With the Yankees. They would have to make a decision was made between Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez that couldn't possibly. Have them both roster at the.

Michael no one knows exactly what they can or cannot you. Now. They could have both those guys on the roster that he gets -- you want. But Brian Cashman the GM has made it very clear that pitching is their highest very. And yet it is -- these scenarios where they get somewhat shut -- and let -- roll out -- Red Sox spent like Aaron. Without it goes to the west coat on elsewhere. LA Angels early dot.

Which he supposedly prefer us.

She spoke -- prefer AJ Burnett eaters stayed in Toronto wore those somewhere else. And there's still a chance the -- gazed at him. And then where are you if you yank the can't quarterback Jake Peavy. In most likely going to go to clubs in the race. And at that point yet baker overpay for Derek Lowe that it is the most things but. It has some money the bar and maybe at that point they load up off. Now they wanted to obviously. But when you ask is it possible they have Scherer and Ramirez. On the thinking. Shirt off.

Which New York team would be a more likely destination for Ramirez.

I just think the Mets are not going to go there and -- like the Yankees. Are focus solely on pitching. Unlike the Yankees they need not just rotation help well Opel. The certainly close. So there is there are so bad. It would seem. They would be really terrific article after Manny. Even though of course Obama I have affection from -- got a lot of people. In the game and even though. There isn't a clear need for any. The National League to keep that in mind. Once he told me recently that Manny you band is. I declined to the point where he DH that by that team advanced measures it really showed up that. Indeed that is bad enough now that -- off and makes a lot of at.

Let me ask -- a couple managing questions your Q and why and a guy we're we're pretty familiar with them Boston he was that an analyst on -- and can makah. Got the job of Milwaukee how did he become the leading candidate.

Doug -- GM there had interviewed him war and it that was -- in the job and and it goes got it but capitalized pocket -- Oakland got a job there. Now obviously light block. My concern is that really -- badly from rock you know which players criticizing him strongly. On the record. Perspective -- Mark Kotsay Barry Zito and haren. Jason Kendall you're right now lie. Obviously. Accord under pressure Billy being because -- about dependability. And obviously anybody deserves -- chance of our a much better the second time around. What did you concern of mine. As cynical or hear. Clearly the Brewers wanted to -- experience. On what to expect and are predicted that. Scripture.

And another managing question shot McCadam reports in today's Boston Herald that. -- two candidates on the Red Sox staff for the job in Seattle one of them has Brad Mills longtime bench coach but Terry Francona and college buddy. And the other one is former teammate of Francona is John Farrell any chance of either of those guys going to the top of the line. For the Mariners job.

Definitely it chat now they'll look at it a wide range of candidates. And eventually dexterity in Fujian says oh -- about 57. John Farrell is a really interesting got and we talked the -- are all all the Cleveland Indians. What will say he can do any job in baseball. Pitching coach former director -- General manager manager. I -- always leery of pitching coaches. Becoming managers. There have been very few extra rusher Greg will want. There's been more barriers and but black in San Diego to carry it out. John Farrell would be the type of pitching coach you say yeah at a he might be. As a Bradley will certainly technically right hand and her -- number of playoff. Bench coach kind of guy that routinely. Get considered for managerial opening and would be a logical and well.

Every team in baseball including the Red Sox would like to acquire pitching in the offseason. -- is it possible that the Red Sox are going to make their pitching acquisition from within and I'm specifically talking about Clay Buchholz who. Theo Epstein delayed his arrival in California specifically to -- colts' final fall league appearance on Monday. And you reported on how Buchholz was throwing there as well.

Yet there have been positive report the stick of where that last out. Gotta -- he says that the first day wasn't so great but then in the second inning -- he -- out breaking ball sharper and changeup was really effective. Quite -- hill is a premium guy and obviously it isn't difficult it happens with young players and pitchers. So yes is it possible that that -- big acquisition. I believe they're going to be on the -- pitchers but towards the end Jeremy he's seen. What may keep -- ever ask you about it I have no idea what -- liked it. But Brad Penny can create. Type -- free agent. After acquire. I your deal obviously opening injury. And given that the Red Sox don't like -- long on pitcher which is a great strategy obvious. Game might be the kind of guy to consider just speculate speculation about four. But Ron -- is super burger short. It's -- at this although they have bought the lot and for Beckett -- and and beyond.

Dustin Pedroia. Won his first gold glove Award today in the American League will he follow that up with -- MVP on November 18.

I have no idea yeah it's going to be close and it's going to be him more know maybe you -- in the mix as well. I would not be private Pedroia one at the same time. The problem at all those candidates is that you know with a -- not. And done really stood out that much over the other they were different obviously morneau put Troy are much different guys. So. I would say you've closed the call -- closely election probably.

There was going to happen here's my here's my prediction for you can -- got to give you something. Gotta bring something to the table here today. The Red Sox make a ridiculous offer for Teixeira because I I agree with you hit it it comes down to the Yankees and Red Sox. And I see the Red Sox going it going in there with a real strong offer may be record setting offer for the.

Oh yeah by at least more than two million. I expired or do. Even beyond the and our record setting it's not a.

Ability to rule out the Angels -- just believe that ultimately. They're not going to play the game through all four and he's going to want to track that's well. So. Angels Red Sox Yankees perfect storm or on chair. And -- like cigarettes are doing I just struggle still how it happened. I started -- that how you make it all work with. Eucalyptus lol and being basically unable trade it will show LP. Unless some team as well it looked -- medical take chances they they would want like role. One batter are having their favorite here. Is that the third base market free agent wide -- Casey Blake beat injured -- treaty and that's about it.

I think the Red Sox not try to sign Teixeira and worry about where he fits. Later.

I hope that would probably be your way they would go about it Michael and and again. A strategy that most teams really -- can't even begin to think about but the Red Sox and Yankees complaint --

A real quick question for you can Angels. Afford to go he said you know 22. Six times and Angels afford to go and into those -- those financial types.

Of course they can't. It would be out. What -- tangled up camp.

It's still that's pretty significant I mean their payroll. In 2008 was what. Over under. -- I can and can't afford.

It -- big payroll in -- a lowered to eight and the question and it paid his debt would be what happened in Guerrero but -- told police guys.

Can we can't thank enough for all your contributions to our program throughout the course of the baseball season it's one of the highlights of our week when we get talked the F. And we'll look forward to doing it again next year.

Can't I can't thank you. Ken Rosenthal brought you -- AT&T with more bars in more places switch to the wireless network with the best global coverage AT&T. Your world delivered.