Peter Gammons, MLB Analyst

Every winner hot stove season has in my opinion to highlights one as the baseball writers' dinner. Which is the big highlight of via hot stove season and the other areas. An event that's been going on for several years now. It's called hot stove cool music and it takes place this coming weekend with a bunch of events on Saturday the first from one to three. Is the -- the hot stove part of the proceedings where analysis the panel among others will be discussing baseball. All you gonna have his Theo Epstein Peter Gammons. Dustin Pedroia CC sabathia Torii -- Terry Francona Harold Reynolds and others. That takes place at the State Street pavilion at Fenway Park Saturday from one to three. And then that night Saturday night at the paradise rock club you've got cool music portion of the proceedings. You've got. Letters to Cleo American high five -- eggs. Peter Gammons will be beat performing -- Theo Epstein may as well bill -- at the Buffalo Tom Michael O'Malley will be MC. Joining us on the line as the guy who helped put this whole thing together several years ago a friend Peter Gammons take Peter how --

Our democratic you know Beckett are -- it's always a lot of -- Reaction has got or four last year it was actually pretty. In it what it was a nonfiction forums so he didn't talk.

I might lead him off the dais this thing I wonder what what what kind of music does Scott Boras listening to listen to a I would guess that most fans would say thrash metal stuff.

You know I think it's probably like -- upon -- I don't pick out -- lot of music.

He's pretty pretty busy out thinking about baseball and there's a lot on the table here Peter we were just talking about it Mark Teixeira. Has press conference. With the with the Yankees yesterday. From from -- from from from your view what happened there because we were led to believe that it was between the Yankees excuse me between the Red Sox and the nationals and it was pretty much imminent what happened.

As we found out over time line and -- a lot I talked strongly soreness while Scott. Got a solid ones playing cat and what was outs for Terry Francona and and arms and Theo went there about five or 68 later Brian Cashman and that was decided. The Red Sox in the stalking horse in the Red Sox should go to a number and -- Angels and they had no other way. Any sort of very good job of possibly say we're not native we're not -- Because for good reason and and they will then all along -- you go. He's now up and not because his father was in what sense but the he made it very clear what yesterday he -- through the baloney. -- He's a very you know. Mark Teixeira is Scott forces all -- the and are very well program but there's no question at all was just the Red Sox in north. And there in the end up in it about you want to go to Yankees and that's -- wife doesn't like Austin. Currently she hit like stores and -- or something special way. That's a Waco.

John Henry no that was was that the play -- pavement when he said we're out of it than. Apparently. They have exceeded. You know with we're not a we're gonna we're not going to be a factor in the Teixeira. Negotiations -- they've realized at that point that.

Would that they didn't know it there were waiting. Back there are awaiting the day he signed eight fought there again. And they had a heck yeah they were -- I feel like. This is due on Monday night and Scott sit well. Shares are flying and am quite honest I haven't quite done they kept putting at all at all all it was just an excellent with. That's now a special results. So got a 180 million dollars and they got their pick of extraordinary. Player -- It's going to be interesting is probably remembered vocal lot between Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira when they play it back together and I have got I don't think Alex shares. About. Communicate on the other players as we know from Derek Jeter -- There's also we have ever seen in. Teixeira in the situation where. All the expectations really. And he's going to happen you'll in the New York league it will be very interesting to see how it goes with it.

Peter was there aren't number any number without getting absolutely full blown goofy. That that Theo could've offered up that would've gotten this done for Boston.

Maybe you order what. And literally -- might be the only number. -- you know.

And then with the Yankees got 200 very I don't know a there aren't a position where I mean it was -- out I don't think this really happen. And it's and it's it'll -- it's been one of the worst winters I can't remember if so what happened this waiter is that. As the Internet has expanded to being an immediate how the flow of information is completely controlled by agents. I'll leave it a lot of general managers and tell us that this is it about a couple of sites which we refer to a golf course dot com. And Scott hopeful things out there and thrown -- or report that. The other Brewers are really jumping in on dark and I chipped in I mean placed the Red Sox are really up. The oracle succeed now and not. -- closest stop out. Any able to get people reported there what's happened is that businesses just in not why I called adult and -- Doug. You're like you're. Because there say basically except that's okay he has all the guys who was forcefully they are not. Went through now now now now Oliver Perez if Scott keeps saying Oliver Perez is better ray Johnson culpable let it. Yeah what that they usually -- in the highest fly ball well all ratio based almost what you really want to give it dollar. You know. I don't know it was missing one general manager spot opposite you know what. I'm market given that they are on electoral allow agents to be telling my fans admire writers what we're you'll.

Peter how much of this is is the economics of the of the country right now. And what does this say going forward for people who were still unsigned like Manny and Adam Dunn and others.

Oh I think it's helpful most people who say it has no impact. Sort no change in the absence things in the midwest about whether tickets. In the economy mean -- state like Ohio which is -- what 150000. Jobs. Since January of 2001. And that's the economics or really bat in your -- that the -- offseason -- but they can't sell tickets and oh really electric. On the front page of the Sunday Times those stories. That 1012. Major always -- closing down. Most ever. And you know -- Carrick compare that they'll luxury items away. Baseball games of the Cubs luxury items and I picked up -- made it folk tale sign about it -- couple runs remarkable. We're back in the mid nineties for playing -- rentals one -- remember after the strike. They audit and -- two or go to trial. -- went from making about one million you're making 200000. And I think you're going to see a lot of guys on. March 1. Cord around asking for jobs because. While I know that precious. And I don't jerk -- goes very -- AJ Burnett. Is making sixty million why -- not making a this is not arbitration misses the mark. And -- it has no market as it. Now there won't -- got what -- from the Yankees but AJ -- agents stop stop wars -- been to the Yankees. And they want it low but AJ Burnett -- a better job. And so there are quite get any might get well. But now that unfortunately it's not an arbitration.

Hey Peter -- god father phantom on this have been trying to think this way it's business it's never personal. This Theo Epstein think that way when it comes to Scott Boris because as you said he thought he had Mark Teixeira he was blown off because. Boris was. Trying to finalize a deal with the Yankees does that. Does that affect their relationship at all or or or steal wise enough to know that that's just the way ago.

Well as -- got a call back at 5 o'clock that afternoon and try to try to outside of where I think. Some actual you know what I was also what was difficult was the it was unnecessary. For Scott to try to waste -- as it always now. Share that like although like. But. There are so -- Buick -- visits again but. I'm not you know we'll see what happens I don't yet they also market there they'll go after right now and barbarity. I think that's one of those he's what he calls and says I'll sign a million in might do it. But I don't see. If stronghold cute. Solvable sign Jason Varitek. The Red Sox Witasick thank you will pick -- Now I'm not sure -- reason sign you know the other problem that it's it's become a real issue here a lot of players is that. It's obvious what players have been. All the while they sign Varitek five there now because the more host for the boy a twelve game of the Braves last year they're in the top half. Won loss record that -- giving up -- first round draft which is our. -- Can't. And so. It. I don't know what I don't request a trade for and wonders now -- march. And I I don't know what's going to happen in the chase used to bet how. Scott Boris looked in the high Cecil electric and they now. It beyond.

Also he turned it down he turned it.

It turned out arbitration -- they have inevitable. That they be -- in the arbitration and he turned out arbitration. You know let's they're not want you guys like that Jon Garland and Orlando Cabrera and you know -- there a bunch of guys that aren't in the country article quote what it would have made arbitration.

So you get the sense that Varitek. Wanted to do it and maybe Boris wanted to do something else.

I don't know but you know they'll -- I'd go all the players association. Was strongly -- Asians not take arbitration. Not to accept a tree. It felt that that teams we're trying to control players one year and lessened in the about you know that they ate there -- to take out a lot but there are again -- Orlando Cabrera or Ben Sheets. Or if you or Jon Garland. Or Jason Varitek is it cost a lot of because Iraq and also what are wildly arbitration. I would keep you like get five or six.

If you -- us sit here on January 7 handicapping. The American League east given what we know now of all the question marks how do you handicap.

I I think I would -- bad -- in the last -- wasn't I I took. I hit a third I've really liked Eric butler all this week's attempt to beat because of their young pitching and the all that. But. I still felt I felt. -- in their bullpen coming close to a it last year I think the Red Sox jacket just because we don't know. I'll help it Ortiz. And liked lol I presume dropped back on the -- you know you never know much a result. And the Yankees. With what the innings and sabathia and long should give. Although office they should have. Now I think that they make slowly up -- now I respect belt juxtaposition here of the pressure wear Red Sox -- sort of got like. Fans in the kicking there -- the World Series the season's failure I think now that that there's not relationship between our. It has changed because what they get out of what you have. Also 700 million dollars committed -- 10000. A 2010 and beyond. I think pressure's going to be tremendous awesome -- and haven't played war. And so let us go back to being out of every hundred. About a hundred million right now there. There in a position. To want play the underdog again and secondly. If a lot of teams like Troy and others flying. Com June July that the fans back and the revenues up there you may have. -- twelve pretty good players. -- the -- Red Sox -- back from money while the presence of drew is hurt my guess is an act or August in. Q in the shall you won and happier commit.

No Peter -- the Yankees to all their lineup. I think it think this is going to be the year where some guys start to dip off a bit -- out of realized this is going to be 38 during the season.

there was no guarantees and.

Yes Mariano Rivera 39. Derek Jeter 35 in Iraq 34 Damon 35 I think it does. Your old team make up -- Europe obviously with the with Teixeira in the lineup. And with you know Melky is only 2324. And in the same for. Oh Robin 25. But I I think you're going to fall off I gotta I gotta finish in third.

Upcoming interesting to -- I think. It could be very interesting if you hit they know what you're K eight paper better Brad -- are. Years ago Brett pretty close -- and actually inspire one where they're basically the same -- Because I -- was hurt. But it wasn't. Terrible injury king called the Red Sox wanted to come here because he knows how Terry Francona and John Farrell nurtured actions. And don't pressure in. Electric -- like that in the same thing here but. That that the manager the pitching coach really help them out of actual what differences. Between -- and Burnett. One across sixteen during your Warriors one costs five years in yellow cost but -- also won here but. If I pick that up made tremendous. I really only.

I've I've theorized Peter -- and -- this is all relative because the Yankees have more money than everybody else and I understand that. But I theorized that both the Yankees and the Mets. Are not going to have the financial windfall that they think. I think that there are people who signed contracts with both of those teams for luxury seating in suites and -- like last spring. Who right now we're saying I don't know how we can pay the stuff.

trying to say that because of from a -- called me about our goals during the very good friends and -- in the market and there's just change we're going up to the 800. Whatever it is 850 dollars our game and make -- you know sorry. We're not a good habits and obviate or won't why don't we split they sit now we'll get back it I don't think. So interesting -- I don't that's going to have the money when -- crumpled -- 500 million dollars that the Wilpon bought tomato. I thought K nobody can overcome it can easily overcome the loss of parker out. I don't think the Mets are going to be huge players in. Not that they'll go figure it done well to go to twelve under -- well I think. Because another pitcher -- a sacred Bible already walked in batting in. And that go from there.

When asked gives up about hot stove cool music Peter I'm not surprised to see that you'll be there and he'll be there and Dustin Pedroia and Terry Francona. And I I'm not even surprised to see Harold Reynolds. At Torrey -- And CC sabathia of the come to Boston for this.

Well. It may be that we use issue speak diplomacy at the Award. Sponsors like four but for now while. Ago. But there is no reason to and -- actually have one of my favorite people baseball Fernando Torres from Tampa -- it's also coming yeah. What they only her but it only creative writing major from Columbia Major League Baseball like like a huge -- struck out. I know what we're where we you know. You know foundation in player Paula has sold looked great work with -- If -- that the kids I really want -- some -- foreign currencies about it trouble politically active. They have covered now Torre's actions. Is phenomenal and then Torre's thought well -- the law Aqua court up. -- ball markets like our our allies school's spotless pole vault for crack. Never been better test out Estes got spent his whole life. Final move of the stature of other people are are are -- portion. -- had a great. Press conference for it that his newest venture with Andre Agassi in Las Vegas in the winter meetings and I never I didn't -- I had no idea -- he -- that Agassi is built the collection of Ford is like to. To inner city kids out in it Torre kind of partnered up. That's about his St. A great experience. If you pressure from yes a couple of years ago they do that civil rights game every year right before opening NC in Memphis. Generally -- pitchers that's got back. That together and I remember taking CC through Martin looking in the absence of civil rights museum and it's I used pointing out and sadly this Q what back. After watching his teammates just throw line drove out this well all this is as we ought. -- You. Have players who will give back realizes. That we -- the government. Financing all we'd like to do. And you know two of the best guys Kevin you courses and noble ones but not about this and giving back but it's. It's a great to me it's one of the best things about. This most recent era of sports is that -- that we have more politically. Conscious. Socially conscious players at any -- like it will.

At the risk of sounding like they suck up fan boy. This past summer I got to meet a friend of yours who is part of this whole thing as well. And I sounded like a withering idiot when I was trying to tell Kay Hanley how much of a fan I am a --

She's so great -- Kay Hanley -- out of it. -- from The Herald. All the sort of following members back in 2000. What does things started -- pretty funny we start that first year we put together about three weeks -- get a pair from your -- says. Which we're really wasn't bad there that there were often called the -- once. I also last what was government that they struggle but some bad because they had this fight dressed up healthy and they're aware. But I classroom where they have a.

Why you if you go to the website hot stove cool music dot war. Tickets are available both they're they're two separate events really they're on the same day. The other music event is at the paradise rock club Saturday night doors open at 630 show starts at seven. And the and that the hot stove portion of the proceedings. Takes place the State Street pavilion at Fenway Saturday from one to three. Go to hot stove cool music dot org tickets are available at that website for both events. I would probably try to go to both of by where you it is one of the as I said one of the hot stove highlights of the offseason.

Well a lot lot or at auto auctions. For a paltry 21 year old girls out there have a lot of money. One with David light regard. On the accurate count. That's -- and actually. He actually has. -- I think it's a great idea -- not. What is hoping is as some. So -- wouldn't rule out one of these corporate sponsors. If you have a luncheon where wherever obstacle but what he wants to do is then they would go and sponsor or something where they can bring like fifty kids which you know Red Sox Nation to Fenway Park and you know they can overseas he's he's spending an hour -- with those kids those inner city kids at Fenway Park so that that should be really fun.

Are you tell me last year I should pick up a soft from buddy guy now Tommy what I should be listened to this year give me something.

Arm. -- ice so I still do believe that but he I was. It was best song last year aren't very good support up -- in the organization but that's. I would say -- New York trucks -- the is the one yet. It's art to me is the greatest source locally than. It is actually.

Peter it's always fun to talk baseball with -- and you think this week and you have a great weekend. -- Peter Gammons are our friends from ESPN and espn.com. One of the co founders of hot stove cool music events take place this weekend. -- and Peter as all of our guests joined us on the eighteenth -- hotline AT&T. Your world delivered.