Red Sox GM Theo Epstein

Welcome back date to Dennis and Callahan broadcasting live from Red Sox spring training joining us here at the picnic table I mean the broadcast -- the general manager bluster it's not spew up -- I mean guys for coming -- we appreciate it -- as an overview here and we've heard about you know pitching and defense and run prevention. I've heard you talk about this and Terry talked to talked about it to -- yesterday. I didn't look at this team last year. More than a couple of times and while that as a bad defensive team not much or if that's too strong a word for you. But you looked at it -- satisfied with it are you seeing things and having information that we don't have because it compared me to be a stumbling bumbling defensive baseball team. Yeah I think we.

We were we were sub par to famously last January look at if you wanna. You know -- team from from scouting standpoint we've we have definite holes defensively today affecting our pitching staff. Especially on the left side of the infield -- Michaels coming back off the surgery. That able that is normal. Stellar defensive performance and now we had clear problems at shortstop while last year. And then you know few too many balls -- on in the outfield as well Weaver. The third worst by the numbers third worst of destitute baseball last year and what those numbers because feeling percentage you're third best at that yet we -- and percent is really you know good indicators of the tremendous that's not you know and it didn't take matters that you -- yeah -- Pickles yeah any once that it is the most simple measures. Taking balls that are in Latin entering the -- out steadfastly pitcher wants them he puts the ball in play. You know you want to defense violence in turn those balls out some -- there -- team baseball doing that so. I think it actually didn't show up. At times we were pretty lucky -- great situation pitching meeting where when we had guys on base and scored and actually it's really well last year. That's the type of thing you can't really count on. Year after year if it if we if we brought back the same group we felt like it was going to be a major problem this year and -- what what we're obsessed with pitching and defense you know far from it. We scored more runs. -- any team in baseball since then again you know fame were probably more offensive oriented than anything else but. But we think will win his balance and you know you look back last year we were in the third. Best offense in baseball last year reared their best pitching staff in baseball on the third course the fast and so if there's. A quick way to fix the team. And -- back to a point of balance and only performance in all areas it it was a defense which is. It's not easy thing effects and you can't let one -- only one guy and you've just. -- you just upgraded one position with the way things turned out there wasn't our only goal going and we -- happy it worked out this way. We were we're able to turn over 45 different positions and it make us a better defense of club we don't think we've taken away -- much for profits which are also talking about fixing a club that won 95 games last year. Yeah yeah and and I think. You know. A lot went wrong last year and we're able when 95 games and we we talked about fixing what we really mean is maintaining this illegal performance and -- Our goal. And we try to be pretty precisely it has to try to win 95 games every single year in the toughest division in baseball its position about when World Series we've won. We've done that six seven years now. And looking back at that what we've done. I don't think that same way of playing was available to us this year another I don't think we created this brought back the same group. You guys and he talked about in New Hampshire. We're getting holders some areas we have some players who. Maybe towards the end of their career as a I think if we would've brought back largely the same group. On paper -- Matt looked okay made people feel better about things this time -- I don't think it would turn out well this year so we had to make. You know looking forward -- we have won -- best farm systems in this law. I'll be honest with you weaknesses which it can cause the eyes coaches in the draft and were probably year half away from really realizing it so. When -- talked about the bridge which it. Regret saying it -- it -- doc about but I really meant was how we can get from Nat T nine. You know that's done all these good things except us -- to that next -- it and do without anyone noticing doing at a really high levels that we can keep. Wearing 95 games -- talk about fixing this. In order to keep playing at this level I thought we needed to better defense -- that some pitching and embers in its --

I mean I a lot of people have to taken bridge to mean to be a dirty word the bridge but it to meet seems like it's not an ideological. Shift is just out of convenience and that's not a pejorative either I mean. The convenient thing was to add Beltre Cameron and scooter row. If there are good offensive players available may be they've gone that way of what you got the key is you've got these guys on short term deal yet.

I agree that I also think it's it's a proactive taking an honest look at where we ER I mean. If if I were to have done my job perfectly. Over the last eight years we would never had any polls coming it is when that young players coming up this farm system. Ready to take over we would have had players in their -- or pos -- players plus defense players in and we wouldn't have had these holes and I'll be out there have been years when we've had a situation because we executed high level. The two -- off seasons previously. Coming off the 2007 team. There was in the lot we -- to do we as the only players comment -- contracts one led to a -- or other players ready to take over. That we didn't need Johan Santana so we resisted the temptation to trade John mustard others -- so. This. It's not always going to be like that way and as we take an honest look at where we are you know though the little misses over the years that are NAFTA on baseball on. I'm not above that obviously you know we've had our mrs. Those add up and they can put you in a position where. You have to go out and do some things in order to maintain a certain level performance so if we just let things happen if if inertia to -- over who has brought back the same team mark. -- really convenient path through one -- and assign the highest. Does it ties into it and play in the market I don't think it was an solve the problems that we so the players who were available did fit. -- they addressed around prevention and they are available on shorter contracts so when the prospects are ready.

There won't be blocked or of they had accepted your offer than we wouldn't be this emphasis on this shift in people's minds to defense. It's still. Bumper -- 119 every. Average field in left.

Yeah we were at last year and during the season we've made. Legitimate attempt has to sign a -- and ended up an hour now.

What happened what went wrong in the offseason would bail me it became a lot of different stories about -- Did you insist on a surgery that he felt he did me.

Now I think. I think. We today because of the process we went through mid season when. We essentially agreed idea over the deal -- not. Come to fruition. But on the offseason came around we knew and are my father's pride you know less than a 10% chance of rear end up signing them and and and we ought to Matt Holliday and realized because of his place in the market and because of how long process would be in weaknesses some. -- circumstances. That he was going to be less than 10% chance as well also we had to look. And everything else out there and try to stuff -- a plan that would work for us and as it turned out actually did match some of our needs.

You talked about the short contract in rebuttal to the -- deal and says its ultimate no lose situation for the Red Sox the -- the belief that a guy and a contract you're doesn't necessarily. Raise his game to get that next big contract you're not counting on that right.

I wouldn't count on that I think I think certain players do I think I was asked you know is there proof that the overall advantage yeah players tend to play better contractors and if you look back -- it does not. Russert I think it does it all that means is that people are different you'd respond to flee their contract -- that I wouldn't you wouldn't care what. And and Adrian from. All indications that he's he's so professional he's going to be ready to play and so competitive is gonna compete regardless of the circumstance he had a huge contract here before an ally. Which is -- staying in and he showed up in great shape so I'm looking forward to hear from them.

We read today that there is apparently at least according to a couple of reporters a seismic shift in the Michael situation. Says here the lol isn't going anywhere not any time soon executives who spoke on the Red Sox in recent weeks to come away believing the soft intend to hold on to lol. Lol I'm wondering if Michael buys into this that there isn't the market out there for him that he can be a valuable member of this baseball team. Does that bode well for the Boston Red Sox is that something you'd like absolutely.

Yeah and -- I think it is the seismic shift -- and reporting on the issue -- I think since since the Texas deal blew up and I haven't. Expected to trade and plans internally and being part of this club Siberia environment and -- to back -- up at that corner infield. So yeah absolutely I mean what what better player to gas sort of protect you at third base first phase and it does better than Mike -- and -- a about the bench. -- south but takes more than takes more than. I'm position players a position players to get this year and Avago like Michael raised that -- viewed four and a lot of Michael old doesn't buy into that what he's unhappy and he. -- his way out of town I think that's already proven to be a nonissue in my. Half our phone conversation today came in yesterday to and I. And a half hour conversation with them we sat and -- He's yeah we all agree that this is not ideal baseball situation for -- wall. But it is what's best for the Boston Red Sox he's just too professional to become a major distraction.

My guess is that doing your job you have to look in both directions best case scenario worst case Nero and everything in between if you look at this as the worst case scenario would you feel. Stupid or bad or unfulfilled if you let Mike lol go for a bag of baseball's. And David Ortiz can't perform they were teases the April may David Ortiz or somebody goes down at third base your first base you have the right guys -- you let him go for nothing.

Chair and and that's why it that the Texas deal was made when it was at a point offseason where we could take that. Three million dollars through would have potentially saved and do a lot within in the marketplace or some pretty good hitters. Who can protect us to sign for us in three million dollars up. At this point. You know I don't expect the trade obviously analyst for anyone defend -- calls with legitimate interest on any of our players that. Yeah I think. Part of building 95 -- team is building depth and redundancy to withstand the interest of the long season and this year Mike is a part.

We'll defeat -- proves he's healthy and -- he can play first to lose that change anything. No it doesn't end and we we're gonna work amount out first base this spring. Because it improves his ability to help the Red Sox -- impact their team Erstad. For him to for -- to protect the soft three positions is important third base first base and DH.

Did you know. Before -- at the moment you sign Cameron did you know he was a center fielder and Ellsbury was going left it was that a long deliberative process.

Well it was a long process and in in. Pursuing him weighing him against alternatives and that was certainly front burner issue that we time we had had. You know I'd Cameron coming out and said -- you asked to play center field for the duration of the contract no matter wide and you know made it clear -- more about him in the team we probably would've gotten scared off on other direction he said you know you'll play anywhere you prefer to play senator. Company's loans to do you know whatever it takes to help the team when Jacoby and ups have the same attitude and this is the way we lineup that's now. And we can't and we knew that the dead at least that we signed Mike. But you know you even Mike says at some point during his tenure here it's best for the team -- Jacoby is -- for Mike moved -- Then that's what these -- do if we ask him.

Ellsbury campus problems and settlers. Eating weeds do in solidly that we layman didn't really notice them.

I think I think that he is an above average center field fielder now who's gonna. Great senator -- and you know I know. There is there's a certain numbers that we don't use that that's accessible to people online that that has had and is one of the worst offense goes in baseball last year and only gets worth anything in the -- that numbers legitimate. That we do our own stuff and it showed that he is above average now are there things he still needs to work on senator Phil absolutely you know them. Breaking in on -- in the off the -- breaking in uncertain balls that. You know that something's gonna get a better and over the over the years he's RD -- gone back on balls and playing playing balls that are that are close to -- loss up. He's gonna make those improvements the only downside -- Austin Cameron deal was was delaying temporarily to -- development senator. There that can take in the big picture project easier and it's been really good one guardians fair to say the big difference disparity between Cameron Ellsbury is the throwing arm. In center field yes I think the experience more and more and anything else. You know sixteen years of playing center field his instincts are credible might actually. -- fly ball definitely a lot of fielders that he he says right off the bat he has a great feel for the balls and out and will turn his back to the baseball bounces bottom and as those instincts didn't -- know where he needs to be is. You know something Jacoby are heated up it's gonna get better expert.

If Jonathan Pavel wants stepped in front of the bus today which is not likely let's face it leaving Kentucky even do anything in the good -- speed you're closer on opening day couldn't be a Major League closer full season right now.

We could certainly thrown out there testimony -- With the stuff to get the job done and I'm standing in someone who would. You know probably learn a lot and that role on the way ultimately be -- closing -- we have other candidates in -- sent it to the exact same thing -- We took Okajima. And and threw him in the closes -- I've no doubt he'd he'd do a fantastic job. You know I think Ramon Ramirez you put and I think he's gonna do find jobs while soft I think you know. If you have the stuff and you have the balls you know all there yet and you want the job ultimately yield afternoon -- supposedly.

We believe that about -- now we believe that he's going to be just -- time. And it's just a matter of haven't you know this All-Star closer ahead of them on the fifth.

Chart that's a good situation ambient for the organization. That young -- come up. This time last year not a lot of guys that are and minorities established himself he needs his newfound right now is to do it for all Major League season -- now -- seen him. They know what to expect not going to be overwhelmed by the velocity he's got a the able to develop the third that she's got to settle on that break always comfortable with -- he's got to look at the better he's. They're gonna make adjustments and -- you -- does the Lackey deal set the bar for the -- negotiation. In a whether you know their relevance one another -- looked statistically. There. Each other's closest -- is -- in the course of their career so yeah of course it's relevant that. You know in no way it is to me -- they're represented though like he represented impediment to keeping jobs here. I think all means that if we're able to keep Josh she's test be part of an even better -- that often enough that.

I guess -- have -- many. In the business and that's Irene has my game at warrior extensive. My guess is you don't lose any sleep about your top three starters they are among the winningest percentage guys in baseball and by the way each of those Rica as Lester Lackey and Beckett. Have all won clinching games in the World Series that's going to be a comforting feeling when you put your head on the pillow at night -- it's it's it was a nice site the candidates in the Gaza all health its shape and -- and they bring to the table terms of stuff. Competitiveness command ability to indie games actually about the awful news I'm really excited -- Clay -- can do this year. Last year now stand nominal season right arm but he did AAA came out today released proved he belongs one out through related playoff games so. Besides duty can do it. That's socket wake soon there at their best they can and this stuff yet although those forget -- evidentiary questioned it when you project when you when you think about who's going to raise the bar and add more than me and and it last year -- when he went start because of the surgery Daisuke had his issues. And play it was in doctor until the end who's who could provide a lot but those three guys in your estimation. Well I think the way to look at it is last year we had. Almost a third of our Starks went to a group that -- small. Stock and a few others. If there ever start went. In they -- productive -- area sex if there ever start from a group that area that we can take. Stars. And the majority of them go to. The -- collapses healthy enough to help Buick we should be related. Your your body and underling Bill James Meeks is projecting -- never underlings and it -- a different animal. That's John Lackey thirteen and 103 point 81 Josh Beckett with the three point six -- excuse -- good numbers I think those numbers but. Adrian belt seventy home runs 68 RBIs and Belgian is that satisfactory season. That probably wouldn't be a bit of your primary -- And having to do -- a slap his name on it and no also those those projections and not his actual reduction there's he's -- he likes to read amnesty right now and they come out real. Yet he we actually have. You know bills involved in the -- our staff we do more detailed. Projections that you know they're. They mean something mean to us we populace those. You'll notice notice netbook with -- it is projections because this moment -- it and it towards virtually every pitcher. You'll find it mr. projected for more than fifteen and standards and that is because that's the safe thing that is projected -- one.

Now anyone in your team with thirty home runs or on them via.

And you've tried in Gloucester area there when we were at their best offense in baseball projected project it is just as is the -- projections go use our progressed everyone towards mean. We actually have nine guys are clogged with Tony five more home runs in the season before not that that's relevant on forbes' it's morning in Columbus.

Took a lot of grief hefty -- Analysts that what was the -- that was an RBI army at home runs -- toys are fun we've we're just trying to learn and we -- or not I only RBIs and primitive I don't think it's. Extraordinarily relevant towards doing what we need to do which is predict future performance.

San and you defensive JD -- J. D. Drew is an example the guy who doesn't make outs. Obviously he makes some outs but he makes fewer votes than other guys that who might drive in more runs a guy like Jason Bay for example. What should we look at -- we wanna evaluate a player or team the way you do or you guys do. What what's the best way.

Well and it it depends how you like you in the image based on I like I recognize we don't like that and I'm not a button and right well if you wanted you know there are ways you can. Breakdown players' performance is his statistics what he does and come up with a value would -- of how much he -- offensively verses. You know an average player or players readily available when he -- that Nazis worth this many runs perceives a great player reviewers say. Forty runs. More than an average player to about ten runs equals a win season that flair versus a guy we often AAA. -- when four more games and significantly you can do the same thing with his base running. And with his defense is -- war. It's is sort of they're all part of the same family we have our own proprietary stuff that we use that's all part of the same families is the matter how well you'd. It just for contacts and now I accurate that the that is but you can do same country to defense base running. Defense is you have the same type this way -- have a two or three win. Player defensively -- of the news is worth three wins more than average defender. So I think the important thing to do when your look at how -- players you -- you like it plays only about players the good players of the ones. Contribute. A lot of runs above. Average parlor replacement could do offensively. And defensively and on the basis okay because when you look at the total package some of that subtle. If you don't come from the ballpark -- and you know we really one night game because. You know senate -- got a good break -- on the gap and caught without leaving his feet but the you come away saying hey this guy in a game winning three run homer in the ninth inning but those two plays might be just as significant what do you in the -- well rounded players does everything well looking for the proves that hasn't. It's actually pretty similar they're -- they they contribute. Yeah a similar way if you depends how you exactly how you assess Jason Bay's defense but the present -- don't forget. If we let a player ago doesn't mean we can -- alliances they're different you know you're you're talking to the guys traded African hall of Famer for Jason back when when. You know at north city can't replace Manny Ramirez and Jason Bay came in here yeah and during the time is here yeah it was better production in many -- and over the same period so. You know our largest and as a -- It's as we have the place -- based players that's on players features and how they fit into the organization how helpless when and and you know I'd make that trade again for Jason -- seconds as in the ends. Another team is going to -- more and longer on Jason Bay's future and we orbit but I welcome him as part of a winning team again here absolutely.

Sorry if this is stupid question you play fantasy baseball now. -- my best football yeah okay but if you did basin all the information most of you have would be unfair. For everybody else if you if you put a fantasy team together like you and leadership at some sort of Jimmy Fund child and commercial wouldn't that you know what what I coaching and I know kick his -- but I I don't know how badly you've taken I think -- be unfair effort.

For most people own this -- offices to plays because they have more more knowledge about. Young players coming gotten and that people -- more knowledge about. You know how well player projects for what is tools -- is and then also can put performs in context matters -- Yeah that you would be unfair I will say this about my fantasy football abilities that. Both the as the Red Sox won the World Series. My fancy football team stinky yankees also won the championship Diego and I was insufferable those yeah yeah yeah -- you're on due to a championship that was -- area got a hot period I've been brutal and only knows if -- steps of this Lester this and he didn't know how many teams in Major League Baseball. Turn -- this fewer double plays in the Red Sox turned fewer fewer double play as last August we we were not yet to handle that prewar. Also a two non non worst Norris -- lot of is that I think every. That is significant and that speaks to that speaks to our you know our problems and it on the left side of the infield last year also speaks effectively happened five authentic Staten. So you're gonna and how about who were controlling the running game yet because it's easy to turn no play around the first -- on a runner on second. D.s eternal moment file -- with a ground ball pitcher -- in the five officer. But they aren't -- defense is really bad and again you you don't go to a game Jerry in some ways and you know -- we. We lost that game -- the last satirist of the -- get a couple balls being we might not make it there but not get a couple balls and that turns the game -- out of pitcher was brutal you know three it's Rollins that it and it -- The -- the subtle the of the game is defense it's hard even for scout. To -- defense of the naked guy in short -- you have to see -- player play everyday you have to be looking for it yet to see how he breaks of the off the value to see what is ranges. And a big part of his game YE where loses turn in those balls in play into outs and turning double plays and you weren't you know --

You know Lugo stunk and mean and the layman could now we know lol was restricted -- physically but I never. The sub bay and thought he was less than average and I never thought Albert Ellsbury was less than really good.

That -- you'll see this year like take take you contrast with -- Carl Crawford left field defense for example. Where is what we typically seen in left field from -- we've had usually bat bat rather stick back in Burlington -- to death we've had about terrorists left fielder so. You you know. You don't if you Aussie left field and making egregious mistake that doesn't mean he's doing a great job because there'll be balls look at how hard -- doubles when we play Tampa back. It will hit balls that would be doubles that turn into ousted as a huge swing if that happens once a game once a series of disputes when you take a ball. That would be -- two base hit. And and and zero outs recorded and turning -- no runners on base and our recorded that is it monumental sway if you add up over the course of the season. And add that into a player offensive value for example it changes the whole nature of what the player contribute so again those players who contribute offensively and turn those balls into outs. That others wouldn't defensively that makes.

Really viable black. When you're out in public publisher occasions in -- around people of my that a couple pops where that's hot stove cool musical whatever. I guess there's wanted to question you get all the time that you're sick delegate it is -- really -- the dignity being possibly we all this and it is their particular question you're sick avenue just a standard answer to elected to smack somebody in the face -- That got away might be is absolutely I think that the that the.

Panic in the streets about our offense -- is. A little less reason and now I guess there is some one and I'll and I'll be honest about valet and -- that's all the writers yeah it keeps it up in active you know -- I know. Just how powerful can be to have. A lineup full of -- hitters he had in 2003 and who knows and we couldn't pitch and play defense system 195 games of that we're available to us this year. And we can -- a better run prevention obsolete because that way and we might have to. We might have to make a move in season you know I think. We actually project on -- score about exactly -- salmon runs that we did last year but I know might not happen benefit if it doesn't and and and we're not winning enough baseball games. Thank the going out and getting a bad -- Victor Martinez Jason -- is easier to do at the trade deadline and then. And finally pitchers so that you know yet that's that's a question that's I think it's a little exaggerate yeah so that the concerns at the same time it's yes legitimate and I understand it is the long term historical question -- I'm sick of have to do -- shortstop. Old yeah you know just but spent the same time we haven't been -- decision making in that area and Mary gets side I understand it but. I think -- speaks to a certain standard. That you're not gonna have every position on the field the sort of a natural progression from. You know from the veteran to to to a prospect he takes over the position on a great contract seamless when -- is. You know -- team there's just 25 man roster and -- can have very position car for I think. You know it would be nice -- now and then those types of questions -- importance of context of what's a -- been accomplished -- variant prior to this group taken over we won 95 games once since the seventies and and now it's happened six out of seven years so. Putting things in context and it is important issue we deserve those questions about ourselves then and -- again you refer to an early but the running game -- running game -- 123 base runners last year that was with Victor Martinez out in the -- why is that going to be different this year. Well I think it'll be different. For a couple reasons one I think -- has a whole spring to work with Gary tuck is is the best catching instructor baseball. Jason Varitek is going to be a lot healthier. And it was last year especially inaudible him some rest and on stay fresh. For the year and and -- most significantly. Does a renewed emphasis on here it is embarrassing last year was we did not do a good job in an area and it cost us so. It's one of Tito's main points of emphasis of the team in the spring and watch us in that area that we should be better -- is the best in the league but. We have failed -- not better area than last year.

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