Larry Lucchino, Red Sox president and CEO, talks about the offseason plans

Or three Dennis and Callahan. Joining us on the AT&T outline AT&T forgy LT -- the president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox Larry Lucchino good morning Larry morning. I'm wondering are the Sox receiving intense intense pressure for interest groups to change Saturday's event from Christmas at Fenway to holiday at Fenway honest you know there. Hasn't been any yet intense pressure to do that -- assists and wait to accommodate what opinion tradition. But there is say yes and holiday -- we are trying to do. Expand the weekends and Friday night Moseley holiday bash sort of open -- -- that way side day and thank you for mentioning it more so Christmas is. -- -- Saturday is a. And a big day for us it's the beginning of tickets sales people and I think it is Christmas presents and in body -- -- which are really popular so clinics or -- -- until like about this one yeah you saw like what that'd do it ultimately it. It's it's a great opportunity to get tickets early and persuaded to -- courses. -- -- -- dot com Michael affect the outcome about it. That would help Larry you don't really help this event if you like needs so I saw Josh Hamilton today -- -- -- It was that would help them get the mr. Kelly -- haven't spoken to you a little while and now activities since the election and I know we shouldn't talk politics and so on that note you guys very. Having to be eating food Orleans. Having survived you guys okay. It was difficult I have to say I mean it was it was that as discourage -- that day but as. It was painful especially when I talked to people argue hard work and people honest people. Who on Election Day walk in the war in both with their heads up their rectum and vote for that not Elizabeth Warren help you -- I -- of their last night weren't you. Actually he was at the cure epilepsy that last night -- yeah I did here that are and that. I don't -- -- so much. About does the in particular race we should award politics as won't be sure you guys were okay. No no doubt -- question about the food to answer your question about the food I I am a stocking up on powdered fish just to save money so when the tax raised the increased. It -- -- a dozen times did you fare share yeah you and Larry rich guys like you. You're right wing. And lastly you know vote listeners out there so let's pack was -- peaceful Christmas. It's been lately every bit. I know you as much as anybody over there has your ear to the ground do you hear the low level buzz in Red Sox Nation waiting for something anything to happen player acquisition -- David Ross doesn't have them. Jack and pumped in Red Sox Nation. Well I think that's right yeah we're all. Eager to see this off season there -- some fruit and our priority has but the ability honest about it the quick decisions on manager and coaching staffs of the relatively quick decision to sign get David Ortiz signed. The you know -- it and don't -- -- David -- use them outside after a catcher. Well known for his defense skills and him but we had. We'll have another announcement coming put shortly regarding corner outfielder but until. Certain. Physicals and things are completed we're not going to be talked. -- his initials CR by any chance. I know. -- about JH. Just waited two hole and I just sports but I do -- I wanna go buy tickets I can't go buy tickets or should tell me that's. -- player who misses. -- like it I can't do it should not not the appropriate to albeit. I's are dotted and the -- occur on. Blacks Larry. And not necessarily in terms of the main. Makers came to do it in the society. Corner outfielder that's close territory immediate. Field first base. Little of -- church of. We have on some things to do this offseason. But we are we're gonna do them. We -- is only. With today's the last stadium remembered. There are a lot of players we've acquired in recent years we -- -- January Cody Ross and you mentioned it got late January question David Ortiz. We signed in early January in 2003 when he came here he gave Beltre signed in Beijing January. So there's plenty of time in the offseason but we recognize that. We have got some work to do some players sign. And some old Brazil. No Larry I know you won't tell us based on what you just wouldn't say any specifics about people -- -- pursuing -- about the sign let me ask you this have you ruled anybody out as too risky Josh Hamilton or too expensive Joe -- Create and our I'm just talking in terms of acquisition you have to trade for Joe Mauer obviously but -- you have you have you guys -- people -- in Zack Greinke in this discipline era that we were talking about as to riskier too expensive. Which they we have some predilections but we haven't ruled anyone out and we're not get a get into it. 78 year deal as we have done before he's all we have brought out is that kind of long term. Gigantic -- commitment. Two would -- players. It's if at all possible when I cannot. -- set hard and fast rule that says nothing is. Not a what are we done it all falling lives always has some kind of exception to the general presumption that the general presumption is that. We will go after everyone but avoid gigantic a long term deals are more concerned about years -- we -- dollars. Who it's interesting. So well. He's beaten or was that them John Tomas you wrote a column but two weeks ago sent suggesting that you make big offers some of these free agents. For a year -- coached to three years just. So that was it was quite interesting. Well yeah as a general proposition you know against certain certain situations that may deal away which to attract someone yeah I do believe that the dangers. -- you face in free agency in particular are are the dangers of of like and that. -- happier if financial capacity and making extra long commitment because of the pressure competitiveness of free agency this signing someone. You might like to sign for three years and years and the free agency market analysts and -- five or six years. And then you have to do it because you don't know what the other close to do at least. It's not an open negotiations supplying -- apply adoption until this week and that's that sometimes leads to all and debilitating to objects. Larry sand on this show early last season that your opening day payroll was 193. Now. It would be real hard for for bench Eric tonight and you guys to get anywhere close to that this year by opening day. If you're only up at like 14150. In the ticket prices the same what happens to. That money the does that do you to you put all that your pocket. Oh well becomes available for. Signings during the course of the year not at a -- our budget was there is subscribe. I'm -- I must -- acknowledging this to a public story after opening day. We turtle boy did any discussion of what dollar budget parameters are tested for other clubs about. What we may or may not do what capacity we may -- may not have with respect to certain players. So keep that -- -- deep dark secrets but -- remember whatever we spend. What are the payroll looks like -- in January or February. There are plenty of opportunities during the course of the year that they. Significant. Some ideas and seismic changes in that that's look at what happened with the that the -- transaction question -- an example of midseason transaction. -- had a profound effect on me on the bottom line not payroll number. So he gives us a capacity. To add to the team during the course of the season I do believe as -- heard -- -- From for a long time the July 31 acquisitions. Can be critical to a teams success. The second half of the season and in the postseason. So if we ended up with -- Capacity. To make significant move seated during the course of the season or especially era to like 31 but I think we can make good use today it. The money used to refer to it. Larry your estimation is -- rare or standard operating procedure that the principal owner would meet with a potential free agent when he comes to town refer of course to John Henry sitting on the Mike Napoli. Oh it's not it's not common we've certainly done that before -- there's a part of free agency that's a little bit like fraternity rush and you've got to make a player. You often -- testament to -- aware that you really do want him -- begin. A fair opportunity to understand the this situation he's putting -- into the culture of the new club. So what we have. Often resorted to say often from time to time we get resorted to the listed dinners and opportunities for. -- -- Too good to meet so -- So -- would be afraid. But it does on itself indicate. Increased interest higher interest. Yeah I think it would have put it -- is a an effort. Commitment at the highest levels. The club to work to make this team better. This is not today copy. Of forward John. Our ownership group this is a commitment to us. To winning baseball -- Red -- these guys and they want to win and they understand how important it is. In this community that we provide. Winning entertaining baseball. And they want to. Make this team better so there's -- way they can help and that is that process that are very introduce them. Q do you believe as a baseball guy Larry that your corner outfield positions at first base or particular left field Fenway. Is that a power position you need power do you need a hundred -- got there or can you be competitive if you have say. Cody Ross in left and or Jonny Gomes and Cody Ross in right and Mike Napoli first has had enough power for a team that expects to contend every year. You know I don't know the if you can get in the abstract that is the power has to be at left fielder has to be. -- corner outfield positions corner infield positions are traditionally. Positions where -- power has been valued. Facility is a -- to do it is they have a power that position but years ago which succeeded in. I think but it didn't infusion of power to shortstop position with cal Ripken when decision was made to move cal Ripken the shortstop. Instead of having power has done that there are basically a power church stopped. And and good fielding at third base so there are ways to balance the end of the equation. And at -- certainly needs. And slugging power to win its quality critical ingredients and the weather has to be important positions. Is it is addicted to date. Would you say if there isn't an inordinate amount or the normal amount of interest from other teams in some of your current players. I would say that there's just the normal while to. I haven't seen any special. Momentum developed over the course because this offseason but again it's very early in the offseason. We'd like to do things. This quickly as possible one record dad say -- David or peace and and John about don't -- Examples. Put decisions -- important franchise. But there is an element of patience -- to court you gotta see you -- market develops there are players to follow through the cracks. I -- -- -- couple that we signed in January. And so there's certain elements of patience is this record. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah I know I know try to quick question is there even a residue of truth to the story became on the Kansas and started -- -- the Red Sox might have. Bumps are -- dormitory -- up. A series Uribe residue of truth to the story that came out in the Kansas City Star early this week about the possibility of the Sox willing to deal. Lester for the top prospect will Myers. You know that's exactly the kind of question I can't answer story that's here. -- your first tenure in new -- Pro Bowl. And I just not -- deal with the rumors and speculation about the possible. Possible world trade that there may or may not develop what it's slippery -- what just -- talking about the I'm afraid I got to take a pass to balance you know you want. -- one quick follow up if indeed the corner outfield you're talking about his Jonny Gomes or Jonny Gomes type would you still pursue. It Cody Ross because to me they seem like the same kind of player. They're there's is there is obvious similarity to be sure but yes the answers to that is yes. What we want to have this year and we as a and -- -- capacity to do it is deep depth. -- phrase you've heard me use before and -- yeah redundancy is intentional we wanted deep depth. We we we experience. Epidemic like injuries in the last couple years we've had to go with some. Untried players so -- the velocity. It is widely held in the organization just had various it -- particularly strong advocates and policy report that you. And that it is something that we. Are determined to protect ourselves against -- restructured our medical status this year. In I think -- comprehensive. And better way. But it more importantly to that injuries are inevitable and perhaps not the cascade that we had in recent years. But they given the injuries they're gonna take place. We want to have deep depth and -- that means we have some redundancy here and there so be it. Would you vote for bonds or Clemens on your hall of fame ballot if you had one Larry. -- -- and I just took -- Haluska and yeah I think today. Or Roger Clemens -- as it is. These Trout about some personal good feelings I have for him as the government all the little bit and recent years but don't have the same kind of competition was sponsor. So those -- I think both ball we'd be in the hall of fame you do course yeah I think so ultimately they did that at some point so whether there's some kind of purgatory like period just -- it's expected -- on the part of some. Of voters for they have to do that this probably yes. But Durham. That's that's above my pay grade at least one of the of the media has got to do. What about Curt Schilling would you vote for him. But it's a little different you gotta admit that these circumstances are a little different. Same answer listen I -- problems some decisions are gonna make to do hypotheticals like just. I could just say he's a great postseason pitcher and that's the strongest argument to four fortunately his postseason record was extraordinary -- -- something you can answer will what do you give us the timetable on when the announcement -- today for the next PA announcer. That's important. Yeah actually. It's kind of they've been pushed to the back burner since the end of the season and the need for -- so we don't have a timetable for it. But I certainly think so that they person -- will be in place. Bye -- -- beginning of the this season and probably. -- may use this spring training and the spring training and see game design opportunities there's some. I'll address your personal solo I don't think it's it's is inevitable as tomorrow but not so evidently is an old expression I think it's so my guess is that he -- Sometimes and that then of course spring training but there aren't there are some people on the edge of their seat suite at about a hundred more consistently yes. Quantity in. And the new additions to the team. A final question for me Larry has the organization decided its ultimate course of action as Jacoby Ellsbury enters the final year of his contract in terms of how you're going to deal with him going forward. Well resource center fielder and weird they're -- to those discussions active discussions. With regard to him. But I am aware of you don't know if someone's got to come -- and make you a proposal but our plan is to. It's too good and Jacoby LC toasters or center fielder this year or. All right Larry good talk and yet Merry Christmas my friend. Also think UN I think you know Christmas don't forget Christmas at Fenway this that are able to. All of you were atheists get a lineup -- the -- just gonna lineup they have one outright regular. It doesn't tell heavily AT&T AT&T forgy you know you just wish you were at that meant so all the pictures off -- Mike -- Arnold and Warren who has axle rod David ax I've got heaps.