Ben Cherington, Red Sox GM, on Youkilis, Theo, and the Sox

It's -- -- not -- ID 37 WEEI Red Sox enjoy an off day today and -- Chicago and Wrigley. This weekend joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T forgy LTE was speeds up to ten times faster than three G-8. It's AT&T rethink possible Red Sox general manager. And -- to back on the program banned but local morning. Good morning I guess they don't. We're doing good I got an idea for it than others always some new construction going on at Fenway Park and always looking for new things -- up that green monster thing is cliche. Let's get out Marlins monster monstrosity. In left field offensively about -- elderly spice up an hour premiere of whatever that thing is there left field -- -- Marlins park. I wanted to make that trip to see the the features down there and South Beach where we're seeing two two nationally ballpark that opposite ends of the spectrum on the strip. There are a little I think still the looks like a party down their list you guys won two -- patients come around starting pitching bullpen that's a -- that happens how would you assess this club now 63 games your game under Brody six and a half back. Why can't do built ourselves justice but you know it said something about being earlier record. You are earlier record isn't. You know -- 3132. And I think. You know I don't believe that's what we are going to be over the next on the games that -- are now so. We have to -- that reality isn't it and continue to look for ways to get better. -- -- There's a guy who -- looked into the next few weeks. You know I I I really believe that we have a good team here. In that you're that we are 31 at 32 right now what that does not reflect over Libya over the next hundred games and you know there's different reasons that Latin. And certainly there are areas that can still improve and then they need to work on those -- -- too. You cannot last week in -- called the report that the you guys were in trade talks for Kevin Youkilis inaccurate but that teams call on players on the time and I was curious then. -- you're still getting those calls at this point -- for Kevin Youkilis a week after you made those comments. Yes because -- in this perfect storm. You know word you know you have a player on the last less guaranteed year to deal. The data to has been. Has been a great player great hitter. Will be again. But as often tough start as -- some injuries and then. These -- the Nixon. The emergence of young player the same position and then. The fact that Boston and all these things and the -- perfect recipe -- people talk about trade and the reality is there's nothing going on. We talked to teams about you know several things done gathers at. In just called to check in on you thousand while back but it Broderick forty when I was rehab assignment. Right now we're just focused on getting kept going. Important part of the team in we know that so it needs. Collecting and -- Armageddon. He makes Carolina. Very tough to pitch to in cities such a dynamic hitter when -- You know what he's doing good and we just need we need to get to that point he's he's working artist it is -- form I think. He acknowledged that and again accommodation and dealing with. The questions about. Possible trade you know there's really no conversation going on. And the fact that you know it's his performance just isn't what he's accustomed to -- he's trying to get back to that so. It's been a tough though he's he's he said I think he acknowledged that there is that more fun at different points in his career and I'm. A company you know on again. And and felt that cigarettes actually reform that. That's dollars to right now in the end red get this folks don't get them in the lineup is much of the candidates don't. And he admitted as much the trade talks right leg and then you hear those things and Bobby Valentine's and look I sat down I talk to you about the situation is in and I acknowledged -- tough spot right now I'm curious have you talked to Kevin at all during this up process. You have talked to Kevin. A handful of times you know go back to spring training in early earlier this year. You know he did he -- propriety. Think he you know look we've all watched him play her own. About the opportunity to watch a player listen to sign an. There's a lot of doctors at new clothes that that you want on the team. Then you know certainly certainly are that the performance when he suddenly going to get a lot of things -- they -- played his heart -- or the other ground ball. Others in the aren't ground ball out literally since he sighed and -- in the minor league so. There's a lot about 71 of the team and it's hard to see a guy like that he -- care that much. The -- a tough time in Italy support and then see him there is a tough time and I'm confident that they'll they'll -- -- -- a better place and. Bennett thought the other upside of -- -- -- Daniel Barnes starting rotation was there -- thought it was worth it I liked it but I thought I was gonna get a power pitcher -- was still a plus fastball and 9596 as the starter. Instead we saw -- guy 92 with the lack of control he talked about some tinkering and Arctic and got to the tenth and putting in the rotation. Exactly what was tinkered with them was at a mechanics thing was that he mindset thing. Well I think -- and you you've been through this because you've been on the hill lot -- and then. What happened. Was that you know starting with Daniel. You know when we go back to last off season. They were there are Daniels working on making this transition and there are people work and weathermen. I'm convinced that everyone including Daniel. Absolute right intentions. And as can happen. Sometimes when you're making a transition from -- into another. Them. You know you you you end up maybe focusing. A little too much of the things that need to be changed rather than preserving things that are working well. And then making the adjustment more subtly rather than more fundamentally. -- -- in retrospect that Daniel there's no intent to do that matters it just to sort of evolved that way and and so we got to a point where it. Now we talk to -- elderly we decided you know look this is. You know we we didn't do this so that he could be at number five starter. We didn't do this week -- you know. But there's a statin keep the game and be competitive. We did this because. You know we we try to get a chance to -- a really good starter an attic and really helpful games and India and what will allow that to happen. On the matter laurel and down the road road is to get back to doing things that he does well that make -- successful so. Which side of the -- the moderately. That was intent that's still intent and also stumble right now. We have -- starting. Otherwise. We're doing is focusing in -- focus on what. He does best and he does what he does best and other consistently. I don't believe it in -- matter what role he's surpassed depiction going to be successful. He's got to do go back and do the things he -- -- Agent Gonzales now is struggled this year and it's yeah we're two and half months into this abandoned it and I'm I'm wondering if you know it if noble one if he's healthy and number two -- three years. You -- plate discipline and at the walks out where it should be a lot of throwing an outside of the strike -- Mr. growing concern with there was a one those things he's just a good hitter we beyond he's just a good hitter who figured out. -- -- First blood at least healthy and a million that are and I. It certainly little old Soviet Conan and -- dark street at some point east. In other than game and you see them there's been games where it looks like all right there's a guy that were used to seeing him. And then there's other games where he doesn't look like the guys that we're used to seeing and -- he's the first to acknowledge that. Today as I look at I guess I have the bears are being you know at least one step detached from the clubhouse. -- here. In the club out into the dugout and there aren't that close all the time it's sometimes hard to -- but. The big guys stepped up and helped us in a lot of ways this year he's got out the outfield volunteered to do that actually does a pretty darn good job defensively. Overall and then there really picked us up at a time and where strapped. In the outfield and how disciplined their -- literally -- too. He's done that include around field is never complain about that. You know I think he. -- -- forum but I think he he he puts a lot of personal responsibility. On himself to be a producer -- producer. Community he had some countries and situations a thousand days see. He feels like any good rather ironic and then. You know a time when he's when he got his best of the energy's. He's late in the game on the Harriman and you know getting into counseling and take -- and in the states and and there have been times and you know at bats and injuries done that -- looked like catering to Dawson and others were absent. There's no one that. Who wants to be. Good -- they didn't. I'm confident he will be at least know what that's right out and in the meantime appreciate the fact it is to us about the competition. We're talking about Jerry to Red Sox general manager here with -- Lou the the clay -- turnaround these last four starts -- been been shocking because he looked. So unlikely buckled to start the year and the guy we see now we got IC is vintage buckle from. A couple of years ago. What was the turnaround point what did he do what did they work -- as a group that have a looking so confident and back to the Oakley -- right now. Well as as as most things there's probably a combination. Factors and more than one part of -- certain that part of it is just. Time. You know quite a good pitcher and he would missed a lot of time and you know get back wanting to be helping clear that they get back on the mountain -- I actually feel comfortable in your delivery did and the other excuse me excuse. Sometimes it is pixel that time there was a suggestion made Bob Murray -- worked on. Turning strike up a little bit. Back I think they're concerned tailoring Kansas City. And and then and maybe that maybe that contributed to it he's certainly stopped looks. Better you know visually looks better looks more like he'll play his fastball and slice the changeup. It's -- -- action. And the breaking balls have been better to just you know not surprisingly. Looks more it looks like a more -- the -- -- -- it. You know part part of that also that there is I think some of the performance. Is happening of course we thought for a little bit after the stuff got better that there isn't he starts in their war. The stuff really had gotten better he was looking better. Just wasn't getting results yet. Some some bad luck involved falling in you know these things happen. But because he got not a tough start that they care and -- -- sought as a continuation of the tough start where. Think actually -- that was happening before -- results turnaround. But there indicating days you know he certainly looked really did it and then looks like a profit deterrent. Better shareware now Theo Epstein a -- talked to some radio shows stocks in newspapers and and is looked in his early years his middle years that look in his late years in Boston's that maybe gave in ethnic used term the monster that formed the boss threats out of all the success you've read. Do you feel last couple years there is as an assistant general manager Theo Epstein it. You guys have sort of a loss two ways as far as the philosophy the baseball aspect of it may -- gave in to the pressures of of making more splashes that may be sticking to baseball decisions. Well I think. I think what I know is that you know we made mistakes over. The course of time and a it yet maybe maybe I'm biased for my particular perspective that are perched. I believe those mistakes have been outweighed by make good decisions over the course of time but that doesn't you know doesn't take away the fact remains in the states. Balance you know right here for. -- credit for those mistakes and and credit of some of the good decisions to. In I'm a little surprised frankly that. I'm not surprised at all that question this -- I'm not surprised at all that that. You know people are talking about where we are now you know I consider earlier were thirty or 32 that's not. That's not where we wanna be. Their you know reasons for that -- injuries in the lottery for optimism too that were going to be better that. And I and I really believe there's a very aged. Longer term out longer term. Perspective here with respect to the court hell we have on the Major League team. The players we have our farm system another good draft the Goodyear and international this year we believe so. A lot of things that he'll help build. Are in place in the engine is still running. You know but there were mistakes and then you know word we're working. We're working to overcome those. But I'm a little surprised they guests in the sense that. You know look DO. -- it's a remarkable things during his time. As GM here and you know I think I think I think -- competent. In time that. Will be a lot more focused on those remarkable thing that a lot less sun. The mistake here and there because. You know every team every GM and every -- operations department. Ultimately even the most successful and so have some mistakes. The resident. Is in outweigh those with good decisions. But it really the biggest -- the scratch -- one we had -- rather would be you know the old and you guys your understanding of we've always talked about not paying for past performances and not investing -- pitching in this thirties with long term deals. In a deal makes the famous abridged comment that I think everybody goes crazy over yet a week later. About five year deal with thirty or one year old John Lackey that one to meet seem like it was somewhat. Inconsistent at the time it seemed like it happened rather quickly member of the whole thing went down. Yeah do I think that at the time. I think that kind of the bridge term. I know what you meant. And it it didn't you know -- sort of think about it. In what the true definition of resistance are looking for her. A way to get from here to there and get there safely and successfully and we do any props or -- or bridge but it is -- mistaken. They it is -- wrong way I think I think you know the -- he has acknowledged that probably wasn't the best. Phrase to describe what we're trying to do. At the time there is. You know there have been as part of the discussion about. Preserving and maintaining. Much starting pitching is because. We had. Develops and starting pitching Lester buckles. Have those guys under control. And speculate here. And -- heard that excuse here we had some guys you know in the in the younger starting pitching guys in the prime of their career. And we were trying to. You know horde as much cute starting pitching is possible because we felt like. That was part of a little lobster to be Jermaine did in the American League east does that protect the start irritation. And that -- Lackey was the best starting pitcher on the market it and we've done a lot of work on them and he had you know check -- awful lot of boxes that. We need to get a check. -- use of big strong durable -- -- delivery. Command had pitched big games. Had pitched in clinching games. That is solid you know consistent forward in his career track looked remarkably consistent that Josh Beckett at the time. So are a lot of things that. A lot of the lot of check marks. A lot of boxes are checked and you know just so happens that. We signed them and he'd he'd he'd been pitching hurt or that's the that's the reality her. The better part of this time in Boston. To his credit he dispatched our communities that they're a lot of pain -- and gather them up blasters specifically. But it's got in the way and being what he had been in the past. I. Probably ask people around me at probably tend to be to -- the ball more on the stubborn side of things and I remained stubborn and I believe that John Lackey will be. Very pitcher for us again once he's healthy. That I don't believe he has been truly help the cents. For at least for the majority it's gonna be spent here but. You know fact is look like this year. He's not that can force them. And Daisuke wasn't that you forests that are proper hasn't played yet and you know these things when you have that amount of talent. And -- dedicated to guys on the DL. It doesn't make it more challenging we just we got to get through that then get those guys held up as quickly as we can and get more -- back on the field. -- that last one for me you know Theo talked about in one of the stories today that inherent tension between that the Branch -- dream that some may be part of this group in the front office let's go all homegrown. All draft no free agency and the tension between that and the business side of it says that's not really he can't do it that way. In your first few jobs a months on the job as the GM. Heavy noticed that tension and you believe that tension is there BO baseball and business in this organization. Well I think bought. That is is like some other you know bigger markets and based on the new York and Chicago and LA and probably Texas. And places like doubt where. Expectations are going to be every year. It's. In along with that you know the businesses are are different. They might be different city. And in places like that certainly boxers -- of those. You know the team on the field that that is the success of the team on the field. Is you know -- gasoline that runs the engine of the business and then the business needs to run today. Pay for that team on the field and so. There needs to be a symbiotic relationship between the baseball. Team in the does the baseball side in the business. We need to have that here and so in debt in any relationship like that their needs to be. Collaboration but with collaboration you know sometimes there's push back and necessary pushed back from. Both sides of their own business side. Should challenge baseball operations based operation should challenge the business side. There are some decisions that baseball operations as makes on our own there's others that. Where we need it should should collaborate on and ultimately it's up to to execute. Execute on the decisions we make and -- there are some decisions that we make that have. -- greater business impact. So there should there's going to be different stakeholders. In this discussion that there should be and that's not any different than. In any and in the other major markets. In baseball or any other sport and others. And we're not we're not building a base and its operations -- building a team in the back in here we have. Is in the end. You know winning and building winning teams. That is the best recipe for. The bit that baseball business and Boston and it's our job of baseball operations to go execute that and then that's as you as you guys know that every decision. Short. Medium and long term. In. Act and yet it out about post some bizarre real quick is at Crawford Ellsbury will we -- with them there's timetable with those two -- Both are progressing well they're both -- Fort Myers to come rev up and continue their baseball progression. No. Specific timeline on and on games yet the both moving in the right direction and we hope that. We hope there's games not too far away from them. Before I'll look for to come over their Bennett healthy output that thing out left field I got some ideas about what they're look like they're behind the monster. You repaint that and make it and David let's work. A Red Sox GM Ben -- Tibet thanks of the time and enjoy the weekend in Chicago. You got cubs and Red Sox this weekend have been chaired -- joining us. On the -- -- backed up let's break and come back we'll talk to you it's not and Lou -- threesome.