Tom Verducci

Welcome -- and broadcasting from Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, Florida here highly technical broadcast center. Sports Illustrated which the -- I'm doing great and Torre began today -- yeah she's better I've never seen him better like this instance is this the Bruins spring training he's one of these terrorists. Who thinks that all eyes okay there was a young guy that's all right and John Henry and company have ruined spring training I'll probably have an image problem as the games too popular you know walking a year and seeing how many people here watching pitchers cover first yeah they're coming by the busload of watch people cover first base if some Japanese networks and 37 people the -- 19 -- the guy Garrett he said for a couple of days that 37 people. Assembly of obviously it's not -- in -- Japanese media storm but it's amazing the interest in this team. End me around the whole game. I mean I think and tell the people for years thinking is more popular now. It has ever been is huge the amount money that game when the Yankees charging. They have premium seats behind home plate for spring training games under and nine E well see for Xbox yet by the home box but it works -- do the math 59 dollars apiece and hold and sure absolutely.

And these are the good old days in them and thinks it it's not the goal there is not paying attention that strikes me as his what they've accomplished. We -- like an event driven society at least the sports if people want to be a big events whether it's a Super Bowl and NASCAR. It's it's not that -- to just follow a team you have to beat the big events that's why hockey is dying because they don't have many bands. They have -- spring training into an event. That you can go home after a couple days down here and brag to your friends workers school. I was there I was their spring training whether there's any compelling going on the field is beside the point you were there.

Absolutely right Jerry especially now think about these people getting here for free. And they can get as close to these players as any time during the season that doesn't happen any other sport. A lot of times is just the thin rope separating you from the player and these guys this Tammy are pretty good about signing -- him -- him better moods inanimate analysts I have a feeling that if you come back here about three or four years you're going to see a Red Sox billing here in Fort Myers like the new generation of dodger town. Well they'll put up housing year and the people coming down from the -- well actually stay here in the Red Sox theme park. I mean just look at all its money it's gone for Myers why shouldn't go to the Red Sox while they control of those -- coming in here and clearly. There's the interest here to do something like that.

Without question Tom in the offseason Red Sox help themselves they improved their ball club for all they did and for all they accomplished -- Daisuke and J. D. Drew and Lugo and so on and so forth. Could it be -- laid could be knocked off the tracks -- an effective closer

temporarily I don't think it's a problem or will be a problem that would drag them down the entire season I'll look at seem like Cleveland last year. Completely under achieved because of the ball and they never fixed it. I can't imagine the Red Sox have been a situation where -- it's obvious that they have late game problems and they don't fix it. They had an answer here Apple no matter what they say I think he's there ace in the hole and they know that there's no reason to panic. There's no reason to make in the closer now CF one of these guys pops and it doesn't work out in -- You have a guy right here on your roster who can close for so. Could be a problem yes but I don't think it's going to be the Achilles -- do you think it's possible that the solution may not be on the roster right now. Oh yes that's possible too I mean you know I say if they don't get the answer here papelbon gets I think they'll clearly -- other places as well and Chad Cordero Washington what will it take to get him because he's the guy a lot of Red Sox fans want to. And even expect to see here before in the spring training. Would have to give -- that's a great -- enters perjury Cambodian you know he's. He tends to like really athletic high ceiling guys that I -- a match like any other team he dragged it -- much on pitching and you know what that means guys like Lester delcarmen Hansen usual names that come up. I would I would assume the package will be built around you know and Willie Mo Pena did -- yes it's Sammy definitely fits the profile the kind of player it's him vote like Sammy I could see him being a part of that deal not the centerpiece of a part of it. It's not going to be easy to get a guy like that but I do think before they turn to papelbon if they have to go that far they will look to people like Cordero and whoever else trademark.

Speaking of palpable on we just had this debate. Of the two. X factors in that rotation making adjustments that's Daisuke from Japan the United States and papelbon from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Which might struggle which of those two might struggle more without adjustment from

I would say papelbon only from the health point of view I mean it till he actually goes out there and does it now for six months assuming he stays in the rotation I think there's some doubt about what he can do you how many innings he gave Buick and stay strong in the entire season. Ability -- I don't think there's any question. Daisuke I think is less a question Mark a lot of people are trying to build up to date. And I know the deal about its on the seventh day in Japan and now he's pitching on the fifth day it's a longer season that tougher lineups all that but anybody's talk to scouts have seen a video is get pitchers seen him pitch and WBC. His stuff he's just too good -- I don't see him struggling and I think early on. I think he's going to be lights out because he has too many weapons as a pitcher. It's not as if my guy like Beckett people puts -- back in the pretty much knew what was common countless rain too. Daisuke reminds me of the young David cone where he's going to invent pitches practically out there you can't sit on anything he could throw the ball for strikes. He is a very bold pitcher he's not afraid to throw any pitch at any time so I think learning curve for American league hitters is going to be really long this year and the early on. I think he's going to climatic.

Really really you know when it's here in the see this mania around him it it seems really silly to say. I think you'll struggle because of the pressure in on the pressure Boston pressure in there at least. He's been pitching under pressure since -- past puberty.

Absolutely I think you're right we tend to look for reasons to doubt people and that is that typical ones especially for New York and Boston teams on the pressure in the media attention the expectations. This guy as far as a pitcher goes he's an extrovert he likes the attention he loves to pitch in big games you mentioned it I think. We don't have a sense of how big -- high school department is in Japan but just imagine the NC AA final four. And you're playing the final four he basically did that 17 years old was a national hero. He's had the attention on him ever since then perfect game where he threw like 700 pitches. In high school term and then came back the next enclosed I should the other probably quote exactly how many pitches through -- or 17 inning games -- 250 pitches and it. Played center field the next day came back and close that game and they came back and -- in the final but threw a no hitter. Filed in this is in the course of a few days this is in the back to back to back days -- in what they said at the time which is brutal heat. But this -- is different I mean he's he's been trained different to me that the key question is how much for the Red Sox changed hands and how much does he change you know trying to get himself -- it's not just this year but for the next six years. In terms of pitching every fifth day right now. I mean there was no such thing as a pitch count for this guy in Japan you know he routinely stayed out there finish games through -- 304050 pitches that's not going to happen here. Of the interesting to see from a baseball standpoint what adjustments he makes what the Red Sox -- pitch counts and things like that -- in your estimation do the things that Julio Lugo brings to this ballclub make up for the defense that he doesn't possess that -- Gonzales did. Yeah I think so I thought there -- a little short offensively last year in the back capital lineman especially when heretic went down it really came back to bite them. They were not good offensive team last year. As you now and I think this year the much improved their logo is a dynamic player he really is he's very good base runner. Of the a lot of things to help the team went on the offensive side I don't think is the fans is that bad I don't think it's really negative I think he's. He'll hold his on albeit an average major league shortstop I think he'll be fine I don't think heart -- Steve you know I'll.

A lot of times in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl you think one thing. The first day and then by the end of two weeks hype he says I was totally wrong and in the games played you say dammit I should -- my first instinct. My first instinct on J. D. Drew was colossal mistake he's not going to work. And they have been spinning and spinning this thing and now a lot of people are buying into -- you have the pressure's off he can hit fifth didn't apply under the radar. Do you think what did you think when they first signed him agreed to a deal what do you think now.

I had the same reaction -- good player but bad fit. In terms of the market and the player you have to question is their ability you'd be crazy not to at this point in his career. You know he's never been -- back to back seasons you know last year was the best year of his career was good season was great season. Still had some issues I mean they have the really nurse and in and it is playing time down the stretch him. Marlon Anderson was getting -- starts for -- JD Drew just try to keep him healthy in important games in September. So you know. I think he's one of those guys where the start of his Red Sox career is going to be alter it in port he's he's got to teach -- disabled list April right now right and he can't be hitting 195 in April as well you know it's 25260s out there every day I think that's fine. I think the fact that he is the number five hitter six hitter and and doesn't have to be the guy in the lineup really helps. You know if they had moved Manny. It -- Complete disaster for him but -- your original question Jerry I still doubt that it's a good fit for the Red Sox and for JD Drew I've never got the impression from this guy. That he's really passionate about baseball. His body language is gonna drive Red Sox fans right they wanna see people run through at all he's not back titled play just his personality -- means badly by now that he's Jake you know all. A lot of his body language that's not New York years ago with a guy like Kevin Randle. -- a lot of baseball was great apply it New York saw right through the fact that he didn't love baseball and cut him no slack that would be my concern at this plus five. Years guaranteed I mean his good years are invariably you know contract years or. He is when he can -- opt out of his contract and cash in and he did. He's got five years guaranteed here I can't see him. Go on a plan 150 games this year now won't feel the need I know Lotta times the pitching limits that this with Pedro the Dodgers years ago -- you -- years to a -- thinking we're not going to yet premium performance every year we'll give Pedro five it will give the rate will give Kevin -- sentinel get five good years -- for. But with the position player you give five years you should feel good -- again at five all star years because position players are. For the most part alot more durable and pitching they have an injury comeback month sometimes pitchers -- for the full year. I don't think that the rest not considered here at tele with a straight face to face we're getting five all start the early years from J. D. Drew at this point in his career are part of the reason -- the contract language worked out of the end. Yet to get that -- exactly I mean act that was a good move by the Red Sox I you know I still never heard team involved in JD yeah certainly not to that extent. And that would concern that I was the reds hockey feel like you're bidding against yourself. The less I understand what he offers you look at his numbers does get on base a lot makes it very good athlete plays it he fancy runs the bases well except for that not until the last time we saw him but you eight I think. I can see why you look at what he -- humans -- and and clock yourself into that best case scenario I'd say you know. If this guy is really that JD Drew we think he has -- scored 950 runs.

Number need to take a look at the big picture does say. An aging rotation and a shaky bullpen get countered by the yankees' powerful lineup this year or do they perhaps find themselves in the in reverse situation with a Red Sox finishing second or third in the division.

You know I think those -- right equal footing right now I really do I think the Red Sox have made up the ground on paper. Primarily because of Matsuzaka. I mean I I've got him down on paper as 200 innings 70 -- guy when you know 3736 ERA I think he's going to be that good so I think they've made up a lot of ground the Yankees because they'd just look at that Yankee rotation right now assuming there's no Roger Clemens we don't know what's going on there. K -- to me was a guy a lot of teams stayed away from because his stuff is so sure a lot of people thought he was a national league west pitcher they get eaten alive the American league especially the NL east. And Carl Pavano honey we talked about JD Drew money come on and it. Besides just not being able to stay healthy I question whether he actually wants to be up there in America heavy legs now have. So now is look at teams this year. Look at Eric -- and what they have you guys go down because always they do. And I think the Red Sox are much better shape Yankees you will you pick them. -- a little early you know I don't know I'll probably wind up picking both of them and some order has playoff team and you know I say that. But you know I and it's we have again that is mindset that the am les has the best division in baseball -- I think the L central is actually better. In terms of the quality teams in number of quality teams the the -- as the big payrolls and if you -- payrolls when the years at least blow them away problem Miami at the two nuclear superpowers bright Red Sox and Yankees but I think it's given. False impression that -- division is great I mean 38 game against Tampa bay and Baltimore.

And your commercials on radio here the twins are running commercials. To get people over there and from here to over there and they say. Do you want to see the reigning cy young winner the reigning batting champ and the reigning MVP while -- at city of palms park. And in the count -- she's run all those guys and you know they got tickets of.

Oval they're pretty good at they would the tigers would it suit you know with Sheffield added two World Series team. They were not a fluke last year buying now one year deal White Sox are going to be better that's a real tough to Cleveland to me. Is the sleeper if there's one team -- you ask me you know who's struggled last year who's going to be playoff team year plan a team this year I think its lead. I thought there are much better last year showed again the bullpen was the biggest problem with they've got starting pitching. -- offense on that team. -- Sizemore is going to win MVP award anchored visas this year hafner is as good hitters in baseball right now -- staying healthy. Like and that's legit playoff team last year they are losing team that's good at that it

11 more question for me A rod will he opt out I'd I'd at first thought no way he's scheduled to -- point seven million. Then when you think about it he could land any ten year deal. My -- between seven million a year but to be a pretty big deal. Do you think he'll take that opportunity while I think it he has another year this year as he had the last three in other words could anatomy any plays I don't go to again up performance it means comfort he's still my accepted -- comfortable on the arc he goes through another year like that. I think he will use the opt out clause an awkward but. The most graceful exit possible by saying basically saying I can't make it any. But this sort of gives him away and getting out making admission I think people's throw it because he will get more guaranteed money market -- Red Sox need a third baseman after this year and Boris and -- are tight I mean there like. Tighter than. Tom Tom Brady and Giselle at this point I think of some could be worked out we could while I watched you guys if they tell me play shortstop. I think that's another way for him to -- sell -- opt out. -- to go back and play shortstop become the all time home run leader the position established itself as the greatest shortstop ever. And the Red Sox change short of every year -- let's work I'll probably go Lugo would not be in the way and they -- Boston we've known that.

We know that is at its coverage she's our friend from Sports Illustrated -- to -- appreciate the time today and -- enjoy guys thank -- interview is brought to you by the colonial athletic -- if you're not playing with a -- equipment -- not playing with the best Dennis and Callahan will continue from Red Sox spring training after this