JP Ricciardi, ESPN

Well I did beat up but hey how -- you DL you don't men. Good -- you -- good where are you what's going on happy baseball's back after the break. Yeah how not a big fan ever not know when they -- but he also irradiated -- scared like the end of it seeded men -- to go and what Carl.

So what do you think of the Red Sox say they they have this they have this stretch now of thirty games 22 of them on the road eleven and moments and disasters number. They've got a bunch of guys banged up. Trade deadline is approaching if you're the general manager of the Boston Red Sox team. She and they all know amid a great deal of road games and tough opponent so until these guys -- back.

Well how out of Connecticut to the greatest test they gonna have an -- year they've they've done an unbelievable job up to this point. By the big -- to get tested obviously with the road trip but we'll get oil and -- got these guys they've they've got a great job. I think field get a new York and -- to try to make the club better and maybe it's a small boost. It's up into the bullpen may be another bat in the outfield. -- that you see anything major. Obviously the guys coming back -- going to be addition. For the club to help them you know within a two week period streaker wherever it is. But you know they discredited and Appleby did the time whatever it is really pulled it up and pulled together and and try to get truer. I don't see a major move coming I just think. Got a pretty happy with the what's what they have coming back and -- just this is that this at a time it's gonna try it would that medal well about it and you know they got a great job -- this.

Or did -- the stage in the game in the trade deadline -- that word GMs that are they still asking for. Too too much certain looking for you know saying okay you know -- a few willing to give us. The sun the moon the stars for exploitative and we'll do the deal but otherwise we're gonna -- are things coming back into reality a little bit as we get closer.

I think it all comes -- the individual team in the player and what their what their level of interest in certain guys that I mean if you look at Ferraro unmistakably good info Prince Fielder is gonna be -- good you know that the bar is gonna be set really high. You're talking about so many middle relievers out there. And you'd find one you think that benefits your club and it's not gonna -- actual lot. You know that trade Barbie. -- done real quick. I think from a standpoint of law you know where teams aren't trades. You know there's a lot of conversations that just gonna just keep leading can't know can we keep making progress and it's -- pull off the table on their back on within two or three days because the other -- just didn't. -- Every traded individual trade has its own body of work to it. And what it took some -- take a long time -- take a short time. Some get some dead some comeback -- You know it's a great thing about the trade deadline is obviously that that deadline -- Jersey get closer to it and I think if you get to that last 45 days you know. The clustering is done and really the guns are already ago.

JP and the it looks like -- three relievers with Toronto or or available Frazier downs in Nam and Greg. Of those three if you're the Red Sox which one of those you think is the best that.

Well if you're actually -- you know put field that are permitted not speaking -- and evaluating. I would I would dig down to -- top of the list to meet personally -- gets right handed out -- get -- hitters out he can give you an inning and two thirds and even -- on. Fraser to me is. He'd be the least of the guys -- they did that but tighter the situation worse cheap pitchers are. I would I would be a little worried about that. As far as great ghost. You know I don't know if he's that guy that you know can pitcher outside of that closer role they obviously have a closer. So they'll come price I mean doubts. You know we signed -- off the scrap PP he's going to be your return of a -- free agent so he's gonna cost someone a number one pick well besides him as a free agent. And -- B which is -- much. And and Greg may be an eight to -- What you're dealing those type of guy didn't return. You need to get. That type of what do you think it equivalent to a that high draft pick.

Huge too broad gets his third start tonight and depending on average buckles. And -- that he may get a fourth start we think it is --

I like him I like him I think anytime you take a kid from double a neutral in the big leagues. Any -- which gets the win by not walking people and you know pitch into the fifth sixth seventh inning. Childress got a little bit a mound demeanor Chargers stuff is good enough to go to the lineup more than once. -- I think he's gonna be good good luck -- you know it's unfortunate sometimes that all of us in the game have to rush guys for the big leagues and -- Allard -- was but not by eight by eight. They were just by -- circumstances. Not by design. Not a big tickets it'll well and I think they'd handle well you know you get John Farrell that you get Pete already it's a really good baseball guy -- that no other. You know keep -- guy out of a cup situation when they get a mile. I'm really really belt so -- so I like a kid I got to do you have a great job under the sort of.

JP Peter Gammons just on any he mentioned ode to brawn as -- did in his opinion is untouchable he won't be traded. At this trading I don't know if he's an untouchable but he won't be traded to treating them I'm curious again like rob said from GM's standpoint. When you look at -- what's -- the term Major League many Major League ready clearly Casey Kelly is a better prospect when you looked. In the organization but we do brought getting a taste of the major leagues if he pitches another good game tonight and then maybe another good game. Cut the value does that guy have compared to a guy was in single or double -- and has even scratch the major leagues yet.

Like it would evaluate for the -- just continued to build depth on the Major League asks amenable and pitchers you have obviously the more depth you have. I had the Major League level to keep running these guys out there. All walks you have the ability to make some or relievers. Or even deal -- so you know right now the trading deadline that value is great. All the more portly maybe even going into the -- You know that racism that the challenge. Do they keep the young kids you know do they trade -- felt. You know so I think there's only strengthened and in the ability these guys to keep coming up their pitcher well.

JPM watching game last night and it just seems like the ranges have 15300 hitters now they've got Cliff Lee. Looks at the gonna run away at the American League west have we all been so East Coast centric this season concentrating on the Red Sox raising Yankees. That we forgot that the ranges are very well real threat to go to the World Series.

I think they're very good club like I think you know we all have a tendency to -- East Coast or it could because -- and obviously you know we're where we're biased to the division but. I think he's not at Texas had a good club I still think the road to the World Series in the American League goes through the dark spot but not Tampa I think you know getting Cliff Lee allowed them in the match up -- whoever bought that can run out there on New York to run out there. And I think that -- You know maybe number one against number one but I I worry about texas' 234 starters and probably two and three -- you get the class from the Yankees can run out. Are you don't Philip -- they can run up -- I'd just think their rotation to little deeper into the Red Sox rotation might be a little deeper. But I think he gives Texas a chance that they can steal a game that quickly grew -- there -- curry. You know obviously a big put themselves in the position go to get the World Series but. -- Cliff -- is gonna have to be very good against those teams because I just don't trust. Second third -- are there's.

JP we've presence period Alex Gonzales -- this afternoon at at at so I guess I have two questions regarding him now for as well what do you make of the trade that -- sent him to Atlanta -- to take them.

What -- I have to penetrate from bullpen to understand -- try to -- throw try to get a young shortstop mark by -- and hopefully -- And Atlanta trying to when nobody can actually last year he wants to win. You know question I raise is. I so I -- I struggle with a guy that played out of first place team and confer they they players' manager like Bobby Cox that has -- I played for him. A little bit -- red flag for me but. You know landed -- and how mentality I understand that adults have a great year they get the right up the option farmers only two and half million dollars next year which is cheaper shortstop. And can really get I like to play at Atlanta got the trade I think that they're down the road prospects. But they -- prospects and the other -- good Jays didn't get much in return to where prospects so. I know people send the Jays won this one but I I have a tendency to pick Atlanta might have won the trade but I see it from both Cendant. I think you might address any trouble clothes that they could you go forward.

And the other thing when asked about Gonzales is it but you know I've taken a lot of heat for saying. Basically I think that the over the years in a row you can look at -- Wednesday scooter was the guy the Red Sox are glad they -- Al Gonzales there's a Texas -- a -- for pujols didn't question my okay well so -- from from where you -- what's your perspective on matching those two guys up scooter and consults.

Why -- it 22 totally different political lot of -- critics Kudrow is very workman like and you know what he gets to he's got to make the play on he's got average -- odd adult is depth we have better defender I think Gonzales makes the couple played a lot easier. I think could be greater amount utes say Gonzales is still seven defender in Kudrow probably five which would be an average defender. I think offensively attitude totally different animal -- school -- as a is a much better grind it held Boston hits he's a lot of pitchers tire on base percentage. I'll run to better -- if you bases. Ought to go first -- third law Gonzales has -- low on base guy that doesn't walked out on occasion will hit the ball in the seats so. I think it just comes down to preferences. If I had my choice now like Baltimore but I would take school because I think the opposite to segment. Good to dwell defensively he's gonna make the average plate -- a lot of people like and the policy either very good defender you know but. I think it's hard to get over that that 293 under on base percentage.

JP it is some rumors out there are some rumblings that pudge Rodriguez might be traded to the Red Sox any. Have you heard anything about that any thoughts about that.

I haven't it would make sense I -- you know I just kind of like California guy over there -- media to reignite cops split. You know they're not going anywhere and they had to try to build a club continue to go forward so. You know any player like that it's not a one year deal. I could see. Those type of clubs move -- that type of Clarence. Very good nights at Boston together you ought to be married to prolong kind of old for a couple of guys come back he's a veteran guys played a lot of energy could help of Major League staff. He noted that that's a good name -- if that could name has been mentioned Boston.

What are your car what are your comments are reaction to.

All right I -- I think I I didn't see him today at all but. You know I just think what you know the performance enhancement spot. I think there's more players that all of us are even aware of speculative. About thirty years in the game professionally it -- and and I couldn't tell you who used steroids and who didn't because and disarmed. I never physically saw someone uses steroids but obviously.

you go off during your days general manager of the Blue Jays.

Yeah hallowed record I would and Oakland before that even without I. Very good that you -- likely to -- hurting your.

I think what I think all of us that have been around the game in all you guys have been around the game want kind. You see a lot of bodies that could change that race you're you're you're skepticism a little bit about where some of that came from and I don't think. I think maybe stick our head -- and if we. Didn't correlate -- the pitching being so well this year and they -- down. By not saying that it had gotten to a performance enhancer drugs so. You know what comes up on the road would not surprise me at this point. I'm I'm just hoping that we don't get some of the guys that I actually don't believe. Did it but I'm just hoping we don't because I just on a war game would go look at those guys got named.

What's your reaction whenever we get into the start the discussion people always turn to take -- well. You know JP was a GM he's one of those guys he know managers knew GMs know they were just they were all in on it mean you always hear that. Sentiment -- is how did he defend at a what do you say to that.

Quite simple and you know we didn't we didn't I mean we had a suspicion who. Who all of a sudden got bigger school good stronger I mean I continue to play and I walk out. Into template that that we had then all of a sudden wow I mean they're in a three -- about seated -- guy gain that much weight get that much muscle that much stronger. And not only in on -- but another team didn't invite her to when he saw the guys that obviously everybody -- the other way but that was and there was actually no way of testing there was no way to know the thing I feel bad about it all the club that ended up giving out money to players. Based on the fact that what -- done in the past it -- which some some. Maybe mask numbers but we're we're all guilty of at every single one of us signed a player are gonna ball with a player. That you know we we bought into what he was doing that 3233. And and then found out when we got a map there a couple of years that you know obviously the testing team and the -- saw the repercussions of -- so. You know what it said I mean -- was prevalent in the game. No I that would at a club -- it's our guy doing it I've never seen it spurred in my life and I -- most general managers have never had. So it's easy thing to say guys knew they would do what it but it only makes -- night when I get podium again that no other.

JP. -- are both the All-Star game the other day in Anaheim and I was at the commissioner's luncheon at the BB WA end. As he often does always as any time given -- with which to do so. He he touts how much he loves the All-Star game this time accounts he's a huge fan of it even referred to it I love this time it counts. Yet I go to the game that night and both manages bending over backwards to get everybody into the game. We get an overnight -- situation it David Ortiz at first base no one a run form because he's used everybody in the game. Because he's being a nice guy with everyone at home the trophy. I maintain that pace pose a problem on the one hand saying the game is important but the managers of the only people on the field. The players take it seriously can just tell by the way they play they take it seriously. The only people don't take it seriously of the managers. What's your take on this and what can be done about it.

Well I I -- the managers do take it seriously addicted just put in a really bad spot you know you got all these guys in the dugout they all wanna play in the game and you know they're trying to figure out -- get these guys in the game I think. -- a couple of things. One either give a more pleasant which I think is a little bit outside because not he's trying to make that also I -- forty clear -- side. The second thing they might wanna do it's just all the starters they can look at. You got to play at six or seven innings and the other guys it's great Colombia Colombia in the game but it's all based on how the game played out. We have to hold our bench back a little bit so we do get a situation where. Are -- with David Ortiz to get the big hit did get them there on -- he should be run in that situation but. They're drug he can't for the most part tied so I think maybe let the starters go six or seven innings and then you just tell the other guy can be ready to go to I didn't -- I -- get gents.

There's -- no it's a no win situation as they go in order to repeat retarded manager you're asking his starter to -- quality start. In the end that inning game than he's gonna come back in the second half that's probably the air base. It you don't say and that's a no there's there's no easy solution to any illness.

No I don't let me just back -- I don't mean the starting -- that they had enough pitchers you have you don't play the lineup should stay out -- because -- and actually -- Yadier Molina comes -- he gets one at -- he contacted pitchers can't -- all the kids in the game in the fifth inning on they don't have another catcher. It is an idea. People who want to catch a plane got really can't get out there because the McCain and get Turkey have to go back at the reentry so. Either give them the actual claret they've decided they look at you guys -- play seven innings and that we're gonna -- works -- bench from that but the starting -- should know two innings one inning -- that's part.

I don't like reentry that -- things like brutally cold Navarro catch him in New York a couple of years ago I think Jessica an entire game basically. -- JP you long -- go back to trade deadline was certainly in the kind of anecdotal stories that you can tell in terms of a deal an enormous deal you. Almost -- offer or a supplement. Is that trade that might have been of the entrusted that we never never heard of.

I -- I can't say monumental one in have been enough stories of we. Nick caught -- Really come close and and not pull things off on just different types of players but I have betrayed got a couple years ago -- the trade was finalized a moment in the players but. You know pretty prominent player -- traded Eric it was also told the president -- that we try to Duke kept him and -- I I went back -- signed up with the team myself just get right back in the final -- write about the president. I went and told the president the president told me. You know lot. I'm a really big fan of that guy and I think the fans to what they could we trade and we're really gonna catch it and I said okay -- call like like I recommend we do that speaks about. And we didn't trade him and big guy that we could trade the farm and actually caring and operate out so. -- that that would -- their plate can't be if and when you make those choices.

All three of us will be -- you after the sitting at right now I don't know I picked up that I think it'll always curious to vote TT black and -- sixth.

I'm always curious about is -- GM. When rumor starter when you shopper guire or or we always hear about or this guy is being made available by this team. Is it always a slippery slope because. You don't wanna talk to a player you -- players gonna hear this stuff. I mean he is -- is -- tough to deal with all that.

It could be condemned -- you do and in that you don't these next two weeks are obsolete do you lock on the club policy you know block and that you guys paltry you guys have been enough club also around this time. Think I'd actually changed a bit -- in the -- and that. They get very standoffish to club that you could feel the tension. When you walk in the club most whether -- you go in the club also every David Bell suddenly -- the trouble to this point. You know it's like the executioner come through you know and and guys who just really really uptight and you could just see it it feel and then what happens is the day after Barcelona's 4 o'clock on -- to be midnight. Which it a little more fun but. Except for clock. All called ball it's like -- they just relax and everybody just to let go without beat you know coming back to what they were before so you can not that -- it's not on time at all.

I get into Iraq they give you about a good basketball example of that and that's Allan Ray Allen. Ray Allen right to the trade Sammy he was he was a mess and all of a sudden the trade that like -- goes. Any sense -- rate of three point Kenseth laid it up after that that's a classic example that I couldn't be more. You you hang around a team you know Nomar like at the everywhere knew he was going to be traded might get traded. And -- it was if there was a lot of tension around him right at the trading deadline.

And don't forget any player as the talking to each other. -- talking to each other they -- home that life is like you know you can take you to be trading LaRoche we actually do this year we do that different attacks them column I mean again different every possible angle like. You know what I try to do is. If if we had a situation where we've -- help -- had a really good cheer to go and and the guys approach me I would just be honest and say look toward talks right now. -- it -- obviously we're gonna take advantage of it but right now Connecticut because it's just so they know you're not coming out of the blue with which felt good that -- caught up.

Would you ever be pro active and let a guy know that that your name's gonna be bandied about there. So they'd hear from you as opposed to read in the paper -- from a reporter.

And it it depends on that we really thought it was gonna happen ought to -- I mean we've got players that wanted to be moved. Daniel we kept them in a Luke Scott Rolen wanted to be moved president is clearly did not like plain and Thabeet at Toronto. So I would keep them abreast as we went down the process. Just -- comedies might not happen but is what's going on don't get your hopes up -- just try to keep in the loop. You know what we've also had pleasant into another big name player that I can't mention right now. But we had a very very big name class that had a chip vulnerable to go to the Red Sox. The year they won a World Series. Any. Any -- exercise could no trade clause and a typical at a World Series team but he he didn't want opt out of his no trade so. You know that that's the other thing that happened that trading deadline a lot of guys have their no trade and yet you go to that they make. You know we have an opportunity to movie would you be actionable let me know what team it is an American team and Bill -- could dip to point four houses are now managed.

Alex Rios what I looked great -- plus businesses that students taxable going to be sent you -- Atlanta yeah.

I don't pick Alex Rios could make it -- that it. He's he's not that he's not that I guess he's the.

But that's a JP thing 01 last question from me and I look at the White Sox and their going for their tenth win in a -- and it's now to win -- and you know -- game. Winning streak but as you start the second half you always look for. The teams that are kind of going on a surge of what you -- it could possibly keep it up. Down the stretch and -- higher on the rays I think you said that before but what -- the team deal like I mean and the White Sox keep this up.

Jacket they -- I think -- don't want to walk anyone in this. That day. They've really come back from the big coal and candies not afraid to make a deal I think you know he's got to feel good walking and -- club policy at some point being able make -- soak. When I look at you know the Tigers. I look at the twins I look at that the White Sox you know Ken he's the one guy that division that will will make a trade gave the Roscoe make a trade to an end I think both Reinsdorf. In the and obviously the tiger on our Belichick. Most guys walk away and so -- not afraid to make a move it and then I wouldn't put past the White Sox or the Tigers to make a move that division and I think the White Sox of Bill Belichick has got to play the way they -- cable client early in the year in this saga click a little bit not it's credit to those guys and added a goal and dugout and -- out of it.

I JP thanks to time is always. -- too hard JP Rashard of ESPN. Former GM of the Toronto blue -- just. Rob Bradford I love that stuff Steve Buckley Butch Stearns and the big show about the more.