Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports MLB Beat

Each and every Thursday during the fall we talked football with Peter king of Sports Illustrated SI dot com. And we're very proud that each and every Thursday during the baseball season we will talk baseball -- our insider. Ken Rosenthal from fox sports take Ken -- Kenny going Greg welcome. And our day is probably better than Tony Lawrence's day ends after his team the defending world champions get swept by the Mets and only outscored what 20 to two.

Yeah patient advocate and they've got some physical issues there's a question there went -- you know outfield and at his character percent. And I just think they're gonna not be as powerful club because of where the starting pitching is though the starting pitching was not really the issue in this series. Obviously when you news weaver and marquis in to they played. I just think -- order but a lot changed there and they ran into a hot Mets. The Mets are very very good especially offensively and dominated pitching that they -- sisters and a excellent start lap of the game John Maine. They're going to be very difficult to be and they will be the team to beat -- nationally if they get respectable starting.

Attending -- camp -- I'm gonna say that there are a lot of big stories in baseball there will be this season but the biggest. Today is in Kansas City do you agree with that.

today -- question and Daisuke his debut is going to be huge and I think anybody -- fan of the game want -- and see -- he does not just today of course but over the course of the season. There are people who believe that early on he's going to be really good because of course there's not seen him. But the real test will come second and third time around lead but either way. This is the pitcher who's very accomplished and issues. Has the weapons to adjust and make any adjustments that are necessary I think -- successful.

We know what the Red Sox have said about him they -- to -- what have I have scouts and other players and managers around the league told you about Daisuke from. From their observations of.

I think everyone is pressed and eventually I did he start against the -- trade that was one. Ought to be it is upset with -- pitch and some of the -- players saying. I want that great stuff was good but it would -- especially actually compared to rock radio but that was an off -- When he and everything go. Hop in his fastball and enough of an assortment to really -- majors pitcher most out. Are very. Back at 21 at days it is 15 -- shop so I do you think that the consensus around the sport is that he's going to be a.

Brian Cashman told us a month or so ago about about how it was the that personality makeup of a guy like Hideki Matsui that made it work and he was the bright guy in the right place at the right time. And I think the Red Sox feel that Daisuke has a similar kind of mental makeup to pull this off as well.

Yeah I think to that question and they've been very press that -- the -- Adapted to the baseball culture which should be changed that allowed or. Have to throw as much on the side as yet in the past because he's -- scheduled to would have to date routines from what what essentially what we. -- Japan and he's shown. A -- willingness to do that the other thing that's impressed the pitching coach John Farrell is is. Willingness and eagerness in except that the English and it's just it he's -- diet like all these athletes to have pitched and a real understanding of his body and what he can view that confidence because of what he's done in the past and I think Jamaica that they're acting. Brian Cashman right -- to -- that's rare ability to handle all the media embraced it and just play the game.

Kenseth were all members of the media where assessed with the numbers 200 members of the Japanese media there we talk about that. I'm wondering just from a player's perspective from dice case perspective Jason -- that any anyone else is this something that. Can wear a team down where a player down all of this media attention or did they just get used to it after rounds they got to these guys don't don't really matter.

Michael I think that's very good question and -- catalytic effect but. But the frustration level rise yeah I think it it's certainly rose. With the giants last it would bonds' chase and that was mostly in -- pursuit. Terms with the media -- it so you really frustrated players this is not quite like that of course but. I do wonder about the cumulative effect. -- people's nerves just record and Eric when you have to deal that they did today and it is a break with their accustomed to. But all the previous these and the Yankees dealt with this kind in years they do what you need to add to the Red Sox I just think that the stepped. Above and beyond weird being in. Since it's started they want history training I'd do you think that mentally it might strike people. It's going to be kind of adjustment you know all plays out west -- that the because it was in 89 games -- 92 I would have a hard time making it taste but emotionally mentally all of those things yeah I think camp where people.

You brought up the good point about bear attacked my understanding of the Japanese baseball culture is that the catcher is considered like soul important piece. Held to such a lofty status and we were in Fort Myers we noticed. The Japanese media as much as they want to talk to Daisuke and they do the next guy they want to talk to is Jason Varitek time.

Yeah and that's going to be elated and I would imagine win. The -- to the rights at some point people in the club over there. There's going to be it and respond year in because Barrett tickets to -- is. I would -- Yet it irritates is that no proper -- you'll be -- I think really Francona. Some ways as it is challenging test he's an actor he is also sought after he got there yet but. Player the kind of person I think you have more an issue but because he's -- that.

Switching gears a bit here kitty asked this question on the show earlier this week I didn't get the Astros that -- askew. You hear a lot of people saying the Yankees will win AL east you hear a lot of people saying the Red Sox when -- elite. We heard anybody say that Toronto Blue Jays -- elite to be contrary it. Wanna.

And of course they did 50 years ago whatever but in this current incarnation they have not played a level of the Yankees. But I don't exist in the red but last year they were not. The true rest of the division title. I want to see it to believe it's integrated A. J. Burnett all you hear about all the time A. J. Burnett and -- cold day. Detroit but he put people up. And -- he does consistently America believe he can do it successfully in the Beckett is something. Of a similar oh in the blue his whole I questionable. And it just questioned whether they are deepen up in the rotation and in Apple -- and then beyond. That's the -- intangibles toughness everywhere ought to compete at the level you have to compete with David the is the -- absolutely. But again I want to see it before I believe it was the same thing question it would Detroit started hearing even in spring training trip actually good. Like okay. Let's -- and they showed they certainly did but. There are many teams ticket -- that don't show in the last year an example and my eight. Belief -- was -- just proved to be urged.

Overall the American league we hear about the Yankees and Red Sox all the time. A horse of the other teams that you feel are going to be there contenders.

And even with Kenny Rogers out. They have the most weapons offensively. They have depth that they can replaced Rogers temporarily without much difficulty and the overall they're going to be very good. Seen it is one the capsules. It is the best team at division I think that the best team in the league I think the angels has sent notice early on it was only one series but that team. -- starting pitching will be very very difficult to beat and can't -- upgraded the question about that. Overall Casey Kotchman -- first -- they're going to via a while as well elsewhere. Essential is where the power rated and I just not sure which teams -- I've not like the White Sox before it started. -- not -- tiny -- other people and between the ever rule out because they are what they've done the opposite of the blue jays. Do agree that they come out every year I'll wait to compete we seen generated disrupt the Orioles of he's going to be formidable but. It's difficult to say which those teams potential be above the coach.

You wrote in one of your online column recently that that you feel that the Yankees have basically told Alex Rodriguez just shut up and play. And he's doing that right now but will outlast.

Well that is the question other people in the past -- shut up and play and he'd played -- and that's something stupid but I think. He is aware that he says don't. Now being aware of it and not doing it are two different things as we although with all of our flaws but. To me. If he just goes out let's pound -- he's looks. -- it's seen forever he's moving better but he simply better third base because that. If he does Woody's -- do just. All about the perceptions in all people in the in. It's going to be very dangerous guy last year off your ID or read 35 homers and one. He can -- run more we saw that opening day all -- that was to go ahead on and I really think. I've come around under these prior for big year Erstad but I just all part but. Seen physically in spring training and weight work in the weight I think he's product and he doesn't. Have a big year -- because you know back.

Is this a calf cramping problem for Damon any big deal.

Well I don't think it is is certainly the way there present -- beat the but he did come to camp. Out of shape he was head and he has not gotten in sync yet and that the -- is a question. One of the Yankees told me it's been trying to cut interest that won a game conditions they traded this little Orlando commute that greeted. Can be. The -- talent and it can be much sport. Each way so. Who knows the effect that might have on him from a conditioning standpoint -- felt like it was the most appealing way to start -- have -- commute on top EU six weeks.

I'm an -- Drew Barry Bonds question in the second but before argue that. Want to ask you what ever happened to this George Mitchell investigation with the status of that.

Did it Michael Barrett ramped up. There have to respect the player now it's going nowhere in the players on or off and practical thing initially it was show. It is to show -- patrol and actually open in my opinion. Well produce very little in the way of evidence of people speculated well Mitchell investigation includes the bond these steroid. And it can stop record US government to look at it and try to conclude that Barry Bonds there -- right. It's eating up with -- now evident. Indict that that was to a lot right there I don't think the Mitchell is a.

Well if the US government can't nail Barry Bonds against the wall. A year Bud Selig the Commissioner of Baseball wouldn't just be easy to say yes. Major League Baseball will support Barry Bonds when he breaks the record I will leave their end of story why why such a big deal for --

Well he's not going to take this opportunity it. And you know you're right -- and I don't.

Told everything I think you have to be and I think. As much as the media they're not its role and not reported as aggressively -- because of those that wonder what or we could've done. Many avenues available to let. But as they acknowledge his role and the way to do that in this particular case is show up. They show up you know have to necessarily make the big speech on Barrett after have to be there to not that's when. It's going to make a lot of people comfortable and makes you know call or write about it going to make commission on lap deal that but to bet. Because -- you want to avoid all that he would have addressed the issue much earlier maybe you could have -- I think that the cases but he can't -- The most sensitive issue match because let's close to an -- But -- history connecting but like the majority of people out there anyone -- game of shadows come through inclusion. By the same time you'd have to -- local baseball.

I a I don't read too much in any opening day performance or maybe even several weeks at the start of the season I I don't when I saw the way Curt Schilling pitched here and I'm not going to -- Barry Zito. In San Francisco but ultimately is that contract going to be an albatross for that organization.

That's a really good question they -- and I think the answer is yes. But what you -- has been over the last few years very consistent actually -- his. Peripherals that have become -- strikeout rate outlook -- career walk rates higher but. I think the -- Boris told Scott Boras the agent. Is elect and the -- has been consistent antics there's people approached pitching I've figured out. If he stays healthy I think he will be. The goods store would be great sport and that money's great starter on. That is the I don't know that you're going to see him blowout at the top job I'll make that case I think witness the is performance that is not equivalent. All worthy of the now.

I want to go back to that the your your statement about but being close. Henry Aaron that's that's a tough situation for for but to -- because you -- the old Milwaukee braves in in what. Aaron meant to that city and winning the World Series in the 50s. Is Aaron close -- as saying anything is very against Barry Bonds publicly do you hear behind the scenes that he is just on the verge of saying something.

You know one it's -- can do that -- it parent felt amazing dignity. -- some hard times obviously when he was chasing babe Ruth's record and beyond that that's just the person he would and I would think that hank Aaron's frustrated I think he's on certain way referred dale Murphy speak out recently. Steroid users but. It by itself off and you know what that probably serves. In in the sport hank -- like okay I -- it what's happening but. What -- accomplishments speak. -- would doubt upon -- yet but their money out ready to lie. Kind of in some circles maybe all sore losers might do attitude because there's always people have backed him. I think based silent and.

Any chance in hell. That Barry Bonds doesn't break.

It hurt -- in he'd get indicted for another and all that would. The way you look this spring was his first moment yesterday. Community stays on the field can do it and I think -- and there are probably in August.

See you mentioned about Aaron and what he thinks and how he feels about it. I've always wondered the emotional turmoil that goes on and Willie Mays has had.

I don't know that there is emotional is Barrett got popped and I think. This is wild -- speculation by. I don't know of any conflict I think he'd probably choose different here. It was Barry and I think era at the bigger problem.

All things considered. The beginning of the dice K era this afternoon you'd think will go how.

Well I think he'll pitch shot six innings so in. Of the pretty well but I will say this Kansas City offensively is better in years past. And what they'll -- was pitched an issue last two starts retreating. That's something that's going to be different I think the ability certainly to grind. Run -- pitch count it is yet expert I think -- the Yankees but that's about it watch.

Can we always appreciate the time we can't wait talked he every week about baseball thanks -- caretaker -- Ken Rosenthal from fox sports