Minor Details Ep. 38: Ben Cherington on the state of Red Sox scouting and player development

For the most part this program has looked at specific players prospects guys like. Jackie Bradley junior or Zander -- Matt Barnes who are having. Fairly spectacular seasons. Or we've also examine specific events things like the draft. But now it's kind of bigger picture time. As the season winds down. We're joined this week by Red Sox general manager bench Harrington to discuss the state of affairs in his minor league system. As both the challenges of sustaining the so called scouting and player development machine. At a time when the rules in trends in Major League Baseball have changed somewhat dramatically less than a year ago Major League Baseball and the players association agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement. To change the rules governing how the draft to works as well as how international free agent signings can work. The result is that there are now new rules governing how top amateur talent is acquired and then subsequently developed. To impact the Major League level cell in don't discuss some of those changes their implications for the Red Sox. In how the Red Sox have responded. -- Red Sox general manager bench Harrington thanks so much for joining. So for any number of reasons it's been kind of an eventful eleven months and obviously this has been a challenging year at the big league level. Given some of the performance circles there. Have you been able to find some solace or perhaps that -- reprieve based on what's happening in the farm system. Well we've been very encouraged by a progress group a number of players at the moderately low and then them come on equally as incurred by. How -- -- that has come together both outings that are our immaturity international. Related. The news media and gave him. Alterations. Draft. International market. -- Our staffers get out Serb leadership -- well it's just that strong front here is well. In addition on the think we. We don't get a -- there and in congress number players including some guys do. You know. Eight -- and -- -- -- a little bit. You know that it. In progress. -- Great Britain only now -- at work and got it in. -- present development challenges. And -- and out. There -- leadership. Outlook. And generally it does not. Engage your letter Altman. Oh yeah -- Hitler don't respect. That men have met him. It of course and number but the underlying underlying. Since you since you mentioned the changing landscape of the new collective bargaining agreement that's kind of fascinating that right after you took over your job. The industry and in a sense the rules of the industry kind of changed. Do you have their being or do you envision. Any structural changes not necessarily personal but structural changes to either the starting side or the player development side of things. -- or -- yes. -- Remotely change capital. There are. Didn't make we make it struck it. Editors. Support. -- reorganize our. Team. To rule that. Vote and back. That big brawl on -- Anderson the apple. The number of there's -- Add that. The world. Via. Via the -- and then. Here. It is kind of interesting that you know with these new with the new limits for instance on draft spending. There are. Meant to -- could make that case I guess that there's an incentive. To find diamonds in the rough more than ever obviously there was always enormous value and it but now more than ever since you don't have that much to spend. Given that was there are thought to just you know flooding America with amateur scouts and you know hiring dozens more guys or or. Did that strike -- as perhaps an inefficient investment. Well I guess a -- and monitor volley party. Our mission and our partners that it changes. Top -- response to changes that -- -- raptors back. And ultimately it. Engines without. About the tigers are smaller -- -- but it but the greater game. Did their job. We can -- attitude of their strength kinda. At certain. And Eric and -- it but. Now more than ever when. It. Accused rapist. It did take better advantage in the -- that you have or the or but they'll pull money that you have. Well the other out. You don't hit it -- -- on them. Pick the players better than other and there's nothing that all of the dispute that more than outing not the doubters so. Think that it is about the NBA. And there's more important on it and think just. Now. -- -- -- But it that it. This should really. The importance that -- -- It. Should continue to. It helps out and help out. Industry. -- value. Appropriately. And -- that -- to people that. Just Abbott -- actor. And a fine right player. And finding out. You need to find out about that Laramie decision. Than those people are going to be early or -- -- happened but certainly. There all -- that you'd think those people. Talking to Red Sox general manager bench Harrington we've been discussing the the significant change in the landscape to the collective bargaining agreement. In this new world that's kind of now taken effect in 2012. How much if at all to the news CPA. Alter the need to develop homegrown talent is opposed to building a roster via trade or free agency and again maybe that's not at all -- I'm interest in your perspective. I don't know that much politically at that -- that answer it I mean. As a general statement. You know all league that needs develop our talent and it. In order that seem to and sustain that over it I'm. We app that impact on players but the system and -- in the team much like we did he. And so you know that at the -- -- whether. Even more important now. In New -- and I'm not sure. -- new world figure that out but I don't. How important it. At least certainly needs to begin practice sort. 86. Basic -- We did we do better to -- and our competition. Players in the first place at AB. In the draft or internationally or or that you know professional immediately market. Then you know and -- -- Were success and what ultimately. It's major decisions. In those at all. Markets. You know were were -- -- orange set up. That success -- the circle. I am I assume that the same out of the same logic holds true of the question of whether or not the challenge is now greater than it has been of kind of building a productive farm system or at least sustaining the quote unquote. Scouting and player development machine. Namely you know has it's it's perhaps too early time to figure out whether or not or how the new CBA influences that challenge. I'm. A challenge it is it sounded a bit I think it speaks for our I think is that. It is -- -- and so art and others. That -- the international market and raptors and emphasis on. It's sort of Google fashion organic. And finding finding out that others dolce and I think that's that's something that he knocked out are out there are people out that are watching players on players. -- That more. If I go funny guy. There that others now. That's necessary in this. Environments and so -- not respect. And it's been fun. And check out that surrounds. The response well. We're joined by Red Sox general manager bench Harrington and that what another kind of there's. It's interesting to note that you obviously have a background as the Red Sox director of player development assistant GM Mike Hazen. You know formally the farm director of the of the Red Sox. Does having the to a viewing positions that you occupied. Change anything about the organizational emphasis have you found. Did you know have has there been -- I know perhaps more of -- homegrown biases -- results of as a result of your backgrounds or has that been unchanged I mean obviously. Theo Epstein your predecessor was not shy about about his emphasis on the importance of building up to through scouting and player development either. We'll go to give priority you know -- You know certain recognize her strengths and limitations and make sure we're going to be that -- from so. It's. It you know my background and a it more likely biased towards certain yeah sermons. Someone who. Bounces that out. From -- and throw people in our apartment -- leadership group. Got some work. You know I think I think -- -- -- It's. It's healthy and necessary. To bring a fresh voice in the room and and it is that success. Early on period. We did. Up recently. You know there's there's certain natural the deserves a circle around that's -- and become insular. And and human. -- don't globally recognized you know he's why didn't. The solutions some chances to make sure that. We bring a fresh voice in the room so. We talked about it not. Those specific background that. You know. -- are doing. You know. People -- make sure it. You know we. Appropriate answer check bounces. Each other -- -- you we or background on certain. Certainly it's I guess comparable to a business that every now and again you know brings in consultants from the outside is not making hires from the outside -- -- kind of change and change the dynamic because there are a lot of people who are probably I imagine that at a certain point. You guys probably know years and know each other so well you can kind of anticipate. What the other one is going to say when you're trying to make player valuations. You know I think he. And the task. A group of people. Though could be more and more court I'd like Smart heartland -- and so. I would report you know that it's I'd leave out that people. Hold up that challenge. It you know things are on -- you know you doubt that in 2008. You know his journey. Players -- and -- that -- system. You know -- the loser don't -- on that day but there are those those that are and it would make it everyone would understand it. Those those are easier operate. -- It's not that we are now then that's really deal. I'll leave. It probably border. It through this another. Success. But certainly in the meantime. -- Reexamine. How we got here. And that's way out. Talking to Red Sox general manager bench Harrington about about the Red Sox minor league system as well as the the scouting operation and infrastructure. Here's a -- probably over broad question. Last year for the first time since 1992 the Major League averaging ERA for teens dropped below for this year it's gone up slightly but it's still the second lowest. -- ever GRE at the last twenty years. Given the shift in those numbers is there also been a shift in terms of the most difficult kind of player to draft and develop. As we -- question that you know. I think that it. I don't think in any certain. Fundamental way I think that he. Process -- identifying and drafting. Players and amateur ranks. It is hard enough doubt find out that -- impact is hard enough. Without. Larry Larry -- Major League orbit -- back on top. Too much. Especially because you know that. Those measurements here hurts me really you know runs or an -- that the well. Expected Cheney didn't and I'm out here. It did so. -- -- -- -- or inertial that we are predictive. And we're learning more about that every year learning more about what is -- and not. From a physical skills employed or employed and help them that are. Or -- Make appropriate tweaks in the system. I think it and in Italy and we recognize that. You know there -- parents need her multi skilled players certainly -- initially -- certain taxes pitching. Typically have a better chance succeed certainly. Like that but. You know we need to be careful about. You know taking. -- short windows. You know. A short windows performance and ends at the mid level what it looks like -- is lying on top of amateurs because it's just it's our apple edit. We make it challenging process even more to do that. Given that given that direction that things have gone and out and as you say it came to influence your decisions for whom and for who to draft and developed going forward but. You know given that league average ERA has been going down and that the Red Sox CRA has been going up. To what degree is that a reflection of you know of what's been happening inside of your own farm system. Well I think -- answer questions are pitching or -- election a lot of things. And eastern look at it. Comprehensive way. Toward doing it. We're -- it around there -- to -- There at it and why that's happening. And part of it is that -- it's that it sells them. I think guys that. You know have a chance does he partly -- -- the better than what they are now. And we have some the ability to be better right now are. That's part -- it you know our. How are preparing. And our actors aren't and it certainly eat there are. But now that's where we play. I was in the interview or run scored that -- and some other parks and so. Judge in the -- at that. And and it's certainly you know look -- -- -- -- it -- did you. Have a bunch and really get it. -- young pitchers coming up. Surprise that. Yet pretty it that goes away not -- about pitchers out there and that. Or helping themselves. It's the combination follows them. And we and Anders or is broader group. And there's a chance that for the first time in twenty years you guys could end up with a top ten draft pick the top ten picks in the draft are protected and the new CBA. From freeagent compensation the rest or not. How much could your offseason blueprint changed depending on whether you're situated for save the tenth of the eleventh pick in the draft. I'm pretty. Certainly there's the difference between having protected -- -- The level. How aggressive you are registered. Free agents. That's certainly part of that partly calculus and Urban League actors. What you're getting up there it is just money it's one thing that money tickets and other so. No doubt that -- all -- -- and mobile is accurate that accurate and the last split up there aren't used to. Because obviously it's election -- It is it is this year -- -- exposed -- -- -- you know or end up. As early creating competition. You know we do those were right -- hire. Out Lyle and an extra. Is safe to say that the world of -- CPA in which spending as captain and based on on the picks you have. -- there's a considerable disadvantage. Perhaps more so than ever before in giving up a first round draft pick. Experts say. You know it's. And we also allergic to that we have done it on occasion and you. News. Years where we additional. Competition -- back the other. -- in and out some. But. You know looked as though I think there's only so lottery tickets yet. And you know each each pick in the draft age. Answer every part of this and cool it is a lottery ticket and in order to hit a and great impact on the organization. Lottery tickets -- out the batters she did he. And so. -- -- Increase your chances anyway possible. To get the most we can't expect international market also. And so we're gonna be you know we're certainly can be. Calculated. And options in. Checking out. There. Again -- there'll be. There'll be times. You know they're they're very early on sports justified the to a certain situation butter ball where. You you mentioned that this is not -- it you know being able to take that high is kind of a a mixed blessing him and more -- extended his blessing by virtue of what's. What that means for the Major League level but. How regularly are you following that part of the standings -- are are you falling on a daily basis okay we won yesterday so that means where. You know we've we're now at number eleven or or are you just kind of tuning that out and focused. You know focused on not on what's happening at the Major League level for its own sake rather than thinking through every outcome based on its implications for the draft. Yeah not quite every day but we did check it. And maybe others in the opposite that are. It's check -- out every day. Ejected and time again it is accurate after going up. And -- The final question I'll ask is again a broad based one you alluded to in you you alluded to some of some of the younger pitchers whom you unlocked. Mostly to double A level you talked drug -- consult tricked Britain Brandon Workman. How would you assess where the system stands now compared to a year ago at this time. Where do you consider the strength of the system to be in where do you see potential gaps. -- -- -- -- that Florida you know but aren't quite ready like we others. We feel like we about it street saying that it happened here number one. We seeing that -- ordered by a number of players you mention of them. It's. They Bogart and Jack Bradley. Russia. That that person that is credit -- There's others but now in its debt or numbers. And that's that's well it helped that. -- the of the farm system to take up a double play higher. -- some of those guys those -- The our system let them or use that you know we still another year in the system. Draft. An international. That the draft first. -- -- there you go to the much. Shortstop out shortstop they start. And you know get it tested -- next here at the well. And then international market we had a we think and others -- -- strong here. It. Our shortstop -- as well. That he. At. What we did -- -- source opposition. -- betrayed. -- -- -- -- We beat that -- upper low balances system. The world will get after our. Board yet no I think. It's shortstop. Pitching depth I think to take in that order were. Or better shape there weren't art because. Moved up the latter part because. You know he did you first hear from Matt Barnes and things like that -- -- -- -- couple -- -- -- system. You know I think there's there's all areas recruitment. You know sweetie we -- -- a lot of athletes -- -- you know players. On aging. It's if there's any areas. Not -- You know court order back. First is cork bats. You know route to the we yeah he. Oh. We've got -- shot here he is. Here. That's. Relatively speaking it's not what he. Overall. Expected we could hear it could have or certain guys get closer. Well. -- -- thanks so much for joining him taking the time to think about you know the the shape of what's happened to the farm system. Into the scouting and development infrastructure over the course of your first years GM. Next week will be joined by Red Sox farm director -- Crockett who take questions that you send me either on Twitter. At Alex beer or by email. Ace being here at WEEI. Dot com thanks is ever to producer pattern today. Into all of you for listening and look forward to checking in once again next week.