Buster Olney, ESPN

Joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered as one of the best baseball people in America from ESPN buster only as well that's good morning buster. I. I'm not as good as.

It must not think we're gonna -- it. At Boston Massachusetts following. A Yankees convincing. World Series title.

you're in the middle plotting how you're going to let them down next.

I don't know but -- it -- as we even have a pretty spirited debate about the role of money. For the Yankees in the World Series I say. Money's important but you gotta do other smart things to put a great baseball team out there and dale sees it a little differently Alan dale say.

I just -- fit that minutes what when I look at team payrolls buster the Red Sox are closer to the San Diego Padres at 29. Then they art of the Yankees and that that's a huge advantage disadvantage for the Red Sox and tough to overcome.

excuse and it's absolutely true in themselves number one. The payroll situation baseball the disparity. Is getting to be an increasing problem and it. And it's only gonna get worse. And stuff that's gonna happen in the next 37 days and two I hate the Yankees did a great job. Indian in the way that they spent their money in the -- that they changed the way they've operated. Really since the fall 2005. Brian Cashman went to George Steinbrenner to look we have to change the way to do things we have to find ways to catch up to the Red Sox and some of the other teams are running organizations better than we are.

So is it possible for a team like that -- maybe the Red Sox aren't a great example because now they spent a lot of money to. A team like Tampa last year is that a once in -- generation aberration buster where you have. Great scouting and development and you have a bunch of kids who can take down a high salary team like the Red Sox for the Yankees.

Givers to the movie hoosiers -- yeah. That's the way I think that's the way that we're gonna give -- to detonate race. Because I think -- window is closing you know on the off the other day between games five and six. He released traded -- more there's second baseman to the Pittsburgh Pirates the -- Why they did that was to -- 650000. Dollars in buyout money. On his contract he wanted to bring him back because he's too expensive and by the way you more make four point 85 million dollars now what are their highest paid player. Is that tell you everything he need to know about sort of where teams -- yeah I think the winner of opportunities for the small market teams. Are getting smaller. And there's an edge in the next 37 days you work only CAA. Wave of non tendered players like you've never seen before general managers that they -- it's going to be between. 7500. Guys guys like Jeremy Hermida. On imitators of rumor about Mark Teahen probably going to be traded to Chicago White Sox by the Kansas City Royals because it five million the Royals don't think they can afford him. -- at that he's going to be an increasing problem so I absolutely do think that money is. That that is not a minor issue and certainly the Yankees. In the first year which they opened this new ballpark which which was tremendous success that we used to be -- They're loaded in that they want to decide they want John Lackey they're gonna get a.

One of the examples that we used concerning the financial disparity was just Teixeira. If the Red Sox had spent more than the Yankees for Teixeira if he were here instead of there how significantly with the gap between the two teams -- close.

I think I've really think we're gonna look back at that bidding -- the turning point -- In the dynamic between the Red Sox and Yankees I think the reds -- to be the better team this year if they wanted to share bidding I think he's that important player. You would have given the -- exactly what they needed. A younger guy. The guy to replace the Ortiz Manny. A guy who can upgrade the defense. And not only this year but in years going forward. And instead you know the Red Sox are kind of left to choose among a lot of lesser options. And the Yankees meanwhile have this guy and the tight opening. -- at at that they're always gonna Carrick judgments about guys when they make money decisions as to charity at last winter. But from the moment that he got in the yankees' clubhouse he's been tremendous in terms of how he's dealt with the media. At least dealt with teammates eat by all accounts is a great teammate and -- the -- archer.

You know Basra no doubt that market share as an impact player but this is why I disagree. That it would have it would have vaulted the Red Sox the World Series I think the Yankees. With the signing of CC sabathia. And AJ Burnett and even acquiring Nick Swisher I think they still had enough. To overcome if the Red Sox had gotten Teixeira still think the Yankees would wound up winning the World Series.

Well. I I hear you and I think to bat in spat in Burnett were to repeat as well but -- share would make huge difference during the regular season. You know the Yankees would that Nick Swisher at first base. On some lesser option out the outfield. And and going for it they wouldn't be set up and on the other hand the Red Sox would have been -- guy. To the next to middle order type guy and you used to play more than I do alleys that question -- the year what they were to start for which some. You know a consistent offensive -- middle of their lineup. And and I know people. Would -- thought it would give you that he shares that the Yankees last year they're like while that might swing the balance of power between these two teams.

Hideki Matsui was a World Series MVP was tremendous. I was great last night against Pedro into situations that that turned the game around. Does that change the way. The Yankees are gonna approach him in the offseason now that he's a World Series MVP maybe they thought about moving on from this guy and now it's gonna be difficult to do.

How it's gonna tournament it's big business and not personal. I really what you're gonna do it's. Played and then in -- to be off each other they're only keep one of the two guys. Thank you wanna keep some flexibility to decide clearly with his regret and defensive skills is gonna eating ups in the that the designated hitter next year in year after that. Are you wouldn't surprise me they were to basically put off perceptible payment and that's who he or maybe -- after game -- first. And say this is -- asking price this or this there are performed for you Johnny. It you don't take it would -- laughter Matsui and and basically get one of those two guys at the price they want to they've they want an active.

As I look at this thing with what the left field position for the Red Sox and the Yankees. -- it if if they flop left fielders if Jason Bay got wooed by the Yankees and sign their in the Red Sox is a stop gap put game at Damon in left field here. I think he'd he'd hit about eight home runs here next year.

Net you know what I I hear you I don't think the Yankees are going to be aggressive in going after an outfield because they've got you know they -- coming up. And they do that is is we talked about the pass to do that sort of impending decision. We've Derek Jeter about it didn't have to be next year within the next two or three years they got to move Matta that at a shortstop because they get to share they were up locked up they -- diplomatic corner. So white do you think it you know that they that they will not be a major bitter for holiday or bad -- surprised that I don't think they'll.

Buster I'm about to give your new job here get ready for this I know I haven't -- John that's that you are no longer ESPN baseball analyst you are now. The general manager of the Boston Red Sox. What are you gonna do in the offseason. General manager only to get the Red Sox back to the World Series.

I'm -- the Florida Marlins about Jeremy Hermida. Who's gonna be -- these guys you might be not tendered come calling. Trying to pluck the best of those guys and I guarantee that there has been doing that. In talking with general manager on the game they fitness is of really heavy part of the conversation right now I don't think Garrett position at this moment. To make a dynamic huge movement you know -- idiots like -- might say okay Prince Fielder. You know -- John Lackey. I think it is going to be land back a little bit it next year's going to be somewhat of a transition year as they work to the last years of the contract Ortiz and Mike all. And I don't think they're in a position really to do exactly what they're going to need to do to. You know to upgrade our opportunity pitchers can beat us and another sort of a platoon failure -- gonna have to do more incremental -- stuff like adding at promising young player like --

Could you handicap the field for me out Menem throw some names out here and just tell me. About the days the possibility or that the viability of these guys being available one is. Felix Hernandez who is Adrian Gonzales. Three. Is Miguel Cabrera in for his former Red Sox Hanley remembers.

One identity gonna -- Bears basically -- to -- the entire -- is -- the the Marlins -- hugely important them especially since they are getting ready to open -- the new ballpark tonight. I know you know that they beat the red socks the Marlins had a conversation lasted about point two seconds about Naomi Ramirez last year. In -- the Marlins get a decent series financial situation I just can't see it happening and I can't seek DO and now. I'll give it with a retouched aren't system -- I don't see it certainly -- again everything he -- that one player. Especially with a young cute shortstop they have coming up where everyone just raves about Miguel Cabrera that all depends on whether. You know Mike -- the Tigers owner decides. That he's got a slash payroll and we have no indication that that's the case to mean this winner or QB during the summertime Magglio Ordonez. They allowed him to reach a vesting option for eighteen million dollars and everyone else in baseball but they were great DD do so. So it seems like Gillick is no problem putting money down a train. Felix Hernandez and mark the Mariners can make -- sincere effort to sign him. And I'd make my gut is that they're gonna work it out make the Mariners know that he's gonna cost about a hundred million dollars. Gonzales again it's a little bit like Andy Ramirez think certainly would be that expensive in terms of prospects. But -- give the Red Sox. You wanna give up a boatload of prospects. For him orgy wanted to despite -- time wait for another first baseman to come around because she nailed it yet a lawyer going -- job. He's going to ask for and hormonal -- And and he's not expensive it's not like the Padres to sit -- with the fifty million dollar contract. The only Beckett -- million dollars you literally have to overpay to get heavily in the Padres.

Well asking you buster only the general manager of the Boston Red Sox this simple question. Are either Mike Lowell or David Ortiz tradable.

Now. They are not you basically -- FT -- huge chunk of the contract it to make them go away. And let's face it I think -- spring training. If not sooner they'll probably beat evaluation process where which they will look at them and decide you know what should we just eat the money sooner or should we do that later. And we'll see I don't think it I you know can bet that one of those two guys not in finished -- Q regrets about.

Josh Beckett in town here right in the last couple of days said that he and his agent are gonna begin conversations with the Red Sox very soon. About the possibility of -- contract extension he reiterated his desire to continue one year the you feel that will get done.

If he's willing to. Get paid. You know it it he's -- CC sabathia type deal no it won't I dispute that's not the Boston's -- banks. And I -- you know given the fact he's a little older -- NC he was when he became a free agent. It might be like John Lackey where we're seeing Nadal now basically draw a line in the sand. They're -- it was something in the range of four years sixty million dollars and they tell them look we W. We -- deal. But we're not to overpay to keep Q and the numbers might be higher than sixty million in the -- that's the packet but I wouldn't be surprised he's similar stance -- that would make. Place a value on and you know maybe that's by -- 75. Add in talent this is this work on it not good enough well we -- lucky.

You said earlier if the Yankees won John Lackey they'll get down to they wanna.

I don't know we get quiet it is no because they've got you know Joba Chamberlain. Coming up and certainly don't use they can look at. Guys developing but we sought during the postseason. They are kind of -- issued back into the rotation. And the long is it is it real strong candidate to not be tendered a contract by the Yankees beat got a hole at the back can of their rotation. -- It don't Lackey is going to be looking to get paid by somebody and we saw last year with the disparate things I don't think as the winner began and the Yankees like okay electoral underneath million dollar Mark Teixeira I think is -- the market. Like you know what we got the money let's look at it -- and I think the real question on a black he's going to be which team. He's going to give him a five year sixteen million dollar deal like Burnett. Last year it was the key to what the extra mile to get him and I wouldn't. It would stun me if the market on Lackey hangs around sixty million if the Yankees look at that say you know what. That's okay Adam we made a lot of money we could use -- we're at a luxury tax let's let's say at the back into the rotation.

Is it possible that the Yankees financial situation is not as good as we think it is. We see all the empty seats in those expensive seats around home plate. We know that that Brian Cashman continues to talk about getting the payroll. Below 200 million dollars are they maybe not as flush as we think.

Now I'd -- to do pretty well because of the network and I you know I don't pretend to know what's in the books but any from what I read in at. Network is now worth over a billion dollars. I had to think about that they -- now a completely separate entity. They're doing extremely well on on all parts of all facets beat the heat certainly look ugly but I think that's related the fact that they that the tickets clearly overpriced given. Where the economy while it. A ridiculous tickets -- he -- can be filled and come up the championship the probably gonna sell out most they're ain't.

We don't the Yankees still have some huge fan and can know they have some youth and -- relative youth and CC sabathia and Mark Teixeira. Also have some age if you are looking ahead to 2010. They just won the World Series are they the favorite to win it again in your opinion.

I think it would the united Tuesday at the -- going to next year as the favorite to win the National League. Com yeah I think that's that you know one of the big questions point four besides the back of the rotation. When is the -- manifest itself and it will at some point in Derek Jeter worked really hard the last two ops seasons. But within the next two or three years he's not going to be -- not -- play shortstop Alex Rodriguez. You could -- you that it's yet this year coming off the church he looks step. Or does he really began to lose. A lot of his lateral movement the way that you guys on Michael this year. You know our let our other guys can regret. But let's face and -- cut so much money and they have the ability to plug those holes quicker than any other team. -- I expected they'd like the Red Sox are going to take advantage of the situation arbitration eligible players. And you know you might see them going out and trying to attic -- Jeremy Hermida plucking the best in those three to five year guys from from you know at the small market keeps.

a feeling your offseason the last but three days.

About three and that it's just how does this morning you know here. Well the Royals might be trading Martinez the White Sox today like oh boy -- ago.

There there is no offseason for you right.

Well that's -- you know it's pitchers stigma I talked to Brian Cashman two days ago and he you know he's certainly Woody you're out there and it talked about the now. -- And and he said boy you know I I kind of wish I had more time beginning to a but I don't Vinatieri -- today after he picked up his kids' school. -- phone calls beach company and that market it just doesn't stop now.

we always appreciate the time thank -- was always. Take care of that is a bust -- only from ESPN he's in the dale and holly leadoff spot Roch do you -- Q double Mexican grill handmade for real. Log onto the dale and -- page on WEEI dot com to receive -- special lunchtime offer or text cute Obama QB OB eight. The 645336.