Alex Speier, WEEI.com, talks about Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, and the Red Sox starting rotation

Back here on a Sports Radio W yeah I got a three point seven FM in Boston of course -- -- on the WEEI Sports Radio network all over going to the net that you beat Shepherd here until 630 -- stable -- -- the only job Richard Red Sox baseball -- veteran. At Wrigley playing game two of their three game said in this big Wrigley Field. And a small clubhouse is there's a very giant and the world of WEEI dot com Alex -- Alex. Good I was watching the feature -- and I I know I've I've never been in -- clubhouse before Wrigley Field but. Does that that is and that's abominable. It really is. -- it is. Tight quarters in which to work but we do what we can with what we have. It's about let's get right to it to just a -- the Josh Beckett just have a little. How with the with a meet with the media. Actually know worked on a bit of a holding pattern waiting for him to emerge from is the operative treatments today but. We talked to Bobby Valentine in despite it felt like this is what eventually made. -- decide if they were go to more conservative route rather than saying maybe we'll get back after just one start assume that it's going to be who are. I'll put him on the fifteen day disabled list. Allow him to get get any shoulder as you took the shorter the important part of what a pitcher does you don't wanna because it was back. Don't get it right get him right then get him back at the highest degree effectiveness they can. -- is in me so far thumb issues before spring training. Retreated again perhaps during bit about -- deal and brought the out in. And and also the game than you had ago late April the minors if this is his lat muscle and now this had a calf muscle back late last year. A problem one -- -- what you got really what's gonna happen here do you think it's possible that this could be worse than just fifteen days on the DL. You're dealing with a shoulder you don't know you don't know entirely what direction they can take because you need to be -- You can't run with it just -- it is also -- for a pitcher. Does have some history. Other issues the past it was when he was very young but you are all early in her professional career it that he was going to need surgery on a labor of and in the said doctor James -- -- -- actually go to rehab route would be OK he is that when you're nineteen you could find then. No longer term very user of for any pitcher especially when they acted out meaning mileage on their arm. You know how long their children going so yeah I didn't think it you know certainly -- raises. It is separate -- meet some longer term questions that have to be necessary but he put him at any more than you start. It doesn't mean necessarily but it won't -- very effective deterrent to when he comes back in but also if not you've been Berry -- good this year. Even while working with -- a -- -- -- it -- -- arm strength arm strength it's never been that since then by. I do think -- reminder that you know -- it just like it is urgency and a -- and age and in -- marker where. These sorts of what are going to -- What is the latest hearing at all if anything about Kevin Youkilis this you know robs of a piece earlier about you know draw the par and and whatever is in a what they would like that by. A what is the reality of the situation -- because in my opinion. And I don't know Bobby b.'s hands have been tied here but -- Brooks is going to be in there every day or at least 95% of the time. Well we were talking with him about that today and he did acknowledge that it's kind of a challenging situation managed. But that he wants to but it keeping it to fire all the middle brought in -- you get. An opportunity and exposure to the -- -- department the allowing him to continue that player development even at a time when you. And irregularly. And in so. He believes it he's respected that this is. Up a bit happened both of them on the roster makes him at any given time to have perhaps the best you know the best to put together the best lineup now. It could change when could be dropped him off the disabled list because then. You might not you'll have less opportunity to put Adrian Gonzales in the in right field but up now he -- about it. We'll get to that the second is that was scary yesterday and I'm surprisingly they are surprised by it hasn't happened early but do you think that Bobby -- is being told upstairs that they have to keep Youkilis in the lineup. To try to showcase him even though I think that's kind of delusional myself. That that's gonna really solve anything I mean do you think that's that that could be part of the problem here from Bobby V. I I think that perhaps there's an ongoing discussion in the organization about whether or not. About whether or not they can get a a very productive you look back. And about note the degree of playing time necessary to accomplish that. -- -- -- -- Serve them by virtual making him. You know I'm a more packed -- player of the lineup or it would increase straight -- -- -- I think that it would be a mistake to characterize it as you know as. He got from quote unquote upstairs. I think that there's many other ongoing conversation between. As there is -- virtually ever seen in Major League Baseball being you know between baseball operations guys in between the manager. -- about what makes most sense from the standpoint of winning on any given day and also -- in the in the broader view of the season. In and -- position. Everybody is just giving enough at the plate I mean it's it's it's as the union. You are struggling based rights beyond struggling and its -- -- really horrible. After the after we got off of that nice start we came up to the allies and you know. But the numbers are just terrible Alex I mean he can he's not he's not helping the team being in the lineup just that simple. It's it's at this time the productivity haven't been there like you'd think it does some of the swings have been better -- You know -- that the raw numbers would suggest there there's been more line drives. Of course but not seeing the same power that we're used to with him so that means it that you're not going to -- the same. The same big number I don't think he approaches did not act does -- -- selling albums -- -- which mean it. There can be more in the tank and I think -- there. Don't don't rule out the possibility of protective yet in -- is critical mistake. What about the attitude this whole team right now because. What what's the feeling in the club boss is there a feeling of desperation because. Most of the fan base around here a lot of the media. You know I was ready to step today this team has to play six or two ball I think you probably know the score 5939. To win ninety games out I don't I don't see it I just don't see it. We don't know what it -- what the team is capable of and that's one of the really complicated things I think it even even the people who have been around because. Don't have any idea because. They're in so many injured pieces fit. We we simply don't know what it would look like what it what it capable of it ever went in there and help in the Arctic is over I'm like one they have last summer to get back. Felt -- in and Crawford and you know and if they can do you have a really good Clay Buchholz state being under a Buick to Bronx there's. In -- he knows better than any number 34 spots are -- they had last year. You know they're they're kind of cancel it the -- if you look at Brett. -- we read we have no idea we still have no idea what them what exactly -- they can be or will be. And I think -- you know honestly will argue about another another few weeks. See where else period as he worked property he weapon that you put our city to see whether or not -- Adrian Gonzales returns. But but that isn't really the crux of the problem here though -- much talk about offense because I know without even though the struggling lately. I understand -- stole second American League in runs scored a second baseball after Texas. Their average and five runs a game I'm not worried about that out more about Lester Beckett a balk calls and if there at the consistency there. If there's no consistency with those three guys Alex this team is totally screwed it doesn't matter who else is in the field because the runs are going to be there I have no doubt about that. How do you get Jon Lester focused and back on track because like I can't believe the time too I've seen this year that got. Yeah well puzzling that got but he hasn't been you know because we're used to seeing him year after year being consistent guy. I mean it sure the Red Sox you have to trust that track record. Even though I even though it seems like. To stop talking in his overpowering or perhaps opponents are having a better game plan against in eliminating the cover -- a pitcher doing just little things they're making him that are mentioned it. And are getting ticked off the umpire at an opportune time especially early on games and let it let it bother him letting it bother him. That's only been eating you up as bad as best you can -- about moment to their careers so. I think if that's correct -- Flat tire at its I understand what to -- but to me it seems a little more. I maybe it's because they're they did that that he's been so we consistent this year by the with the but you don't stated that it sparked the offense goes. Yeah I'm not worried at all I don't think any -- most fans don't give a damn about the that they know the offense is going to be that maybe it's not up to stop right now. And they struggle with five suggested but I think most people get it. That this team is not gonna have problems scoring a lot of runs are going to be right at the top relief. But if you don't have those three pitchers your best three starting pitchers beat fairly consistent they don't have a chance. It's that simple. I particularly because there were stretches last you're -- had. One that you dominant starting pitchers and three guys back of rotation who were really struggling I mean pat. In but it had a dominant offense -- let them win game after game after game. Performance the last season. I think it they might have the often do that again it's a because you know that right now they have. Obviously you know obviously buckled -- been spectacular is -- -- -- very very good generally. You know buckle up for three starts Lester is but it you've been told totally consistent and and I I -- -- back and it didn't you know. A lot of praise and he's right up there what Justin Verlander for you know second most starts at seven innings boards getting it I think you. You got that nice story today you were robbed. So I mean I understand -- to say you'll you'll hear about it was Beckett for at least two games could be more. You got it inconsistent Lester and -- -- -- to those been spectacular last three starts. I just don't know how I'd and I hope it stays that way but. I'm just not sure this team is capable point six sort of ball the rest of the way get to ninety wins I just -- Skepticism totally fair because we haven't seen from them we don't know that they can't have bet that. There's -- -- kind of eluded to earlier there's still so much it's unknown we just haven't seen it you know they have guys -- track record. Suggest that they they can be a really exceptional team for starts of the year. We just haven't seen either of those guys or -- seemed. Guys performing up to this track record in a consistent fashion so I think you're again I think your skepticism is totally -- In it's in until they demonstrate. Proved to be the leaders are capable of that then you know then the -- printed on them but I think if you're -- a certain position where you almost have to believe. It's some VP you know it's getting a lot of these guys -- out -- track records. And in getting back some healthy guys will allow to be a much better team but you know but that's their that's a little bit of illegal state now rebels in something they can they were pretty certain. I think it's a huge sleeper if they continue to go down this way if there in other already out loss column right now. If there -- if it's you know July 4 or -- quite around the trading deadline. And they are 891012. Games back. They got that drastic measure is gonna have to be taken I mean just I mean you talk about blowing it up I'm not talking about you know getting nothing for some guys in the some contract you can't trade by. But I have to do something -- -- because what what's happening is. Nobody cares is what's happening -- an attic this team is that is does not likable team in them in the eyes of most fans and some media. Not a likable team at all. And they're becoming a different and that that in this organization this part ownership has not seen that yet in that time they've been here but I'll tell you what they're more than halfway there right now. Yeah I do think that there's probably an image problem with the team and it just seemed to me because. -- how do you feel about Albert he must proceed doesn't last artists. At as a -- before the -- before the what what they were the best human baseball I mean not by the record you are what you are you go by the record they were considered to be the best pure baseball but I think what happened in September. Let such a sour taste and rightly so everybody's mouth and it carried over that thirty and 53 since last September. So this is not something the idiotic he can blame them one -- collapse made this team in particular need to come out like gangbusters. And not have all the controversy that happened early on and now you two games under 500 or last place in the American easier eight games by the Yankees in the loss column. I don't know why anybody should feel good about this team right now. I think that you know I think should be the people with the decision makers in the organization properly note that -- area are looking and using these next the next. -- -- Figure out what that team has to figure out what direction it's going in and what are not. You know what they're not a one. It you know for which. -- -- can be salvaged by adding the right piece. You know what another team that's going to find its own way. About the piece that they have or not -- I think it you know again. I agree with I agree with you that we. There is based on what we've seen dating to the last -- the burden of proof is on the teams proved they can perform -- to the level that it needs to in order compete. For that you know kind of ninety's when target it's necessary. One of those two wild -- Well one less thing. There's all the conspiracy do you hear a lot of whispering you hear the rumors -- -- window but overall what is your perception perception about how. This team as far as no one called wanting to play for Bobby V. Do you think that's a problem overall. Do you think it's a problem but he -- do you think most of these players want to actually play for Bobby Valentine and I don't play he gets to be about the least amount of blame of anybody could you can't blame him for. Lack of starting pitching or are inconsistent starting pitching but do you believe that the players on this team want to play for Bobby Valentine. I don't I don't necessarily have any a great -- -- you know for that one way or the other I deeply -- I just think it takes time for that now for that relationship. Reform. I'm trying to remember back to you know what the dynamic was like back in 2004. I around this time you know in 2004 I think -- the Red Sox were going through. But significant kind of sideways stretch there was a lot of skepticism. You know about how they were responding Terry Francona at times so. You know in terms of in terms of where the dynamic is what it was spot yet I'm not Paris today I think it's still a work in progress -- doping big guys are getting to know him. What they're not -- I think it is silly to say you know something like they don't you know like. There underperforming because you know beaten. -- personality I think to bet that -- that you care about winning. A lot they're very frustrated. All right out great stuff and and enjoy the rest of your weekend at -- we will talk used to be reading of course -- some great stuff especially I love the a minor league stuff that you're doing. I follow it pretty closely and I tell you what. The Dick tuck and had last night at like four guys -- bring up to this team right now phenomenal. I don't think -- and depending on what direction to go and I do think that you'll probably be for such explored -- -- bit of internal reinforcements guys like. But elections you know may be able partly and a football Slovakian -- in -- up playing quite well you know at various points in the year to look see about getting that. And wet -- Cahill is gonna become available. Well -- -- -- -- -- I think it goes to the and they markers and but if you -- down I think it hit a couple more days but. With Cody Ross coming back I don't see it happening happening immediately but. Is progressing so well I think he's well ahead of where anyone thought he would be. After all the down time and you know that's that's a great thing because we saw how dynamic he could be Major League level. In a small simple as they -- as a rookie in 2010. In -- -- for him for coming back a lot from these injuries to position himself to be a guy you can hope -- against him. There -- -- less than his taxes and a call up wanted to know about Westmoreland two and what his status is and how he's progressing. Yes he's done -- been progressing in life you you know it is degree of activity. It is is it going to proceeding pretty well -- still -- -- bring a lot of people like if you look at practice on the field. Outlook but but he's still at this point not play regularly. That he's still -- that we're not playing game. And all right Alex Brett thank you so much and double talk to other -- radiate thanks a lot out -- life from a Wrigley Field covered the Red Sox on for WEEI dot com. He's got some great stuff or go through some of the numbers when Iran. The Kentucky game last night at some of these numbers may astonish you. And how well some of these guys are doing on there to watch 777 nights your eighth trip until 38885250. -- -- with you until 630. And sports writer and editor point seven about WEEI.