07-17-07 Ken Rosenthal on Dale and Holley

Now let's go to guy who knows something about baseball Ken Rosenthal of fox sports we talked in each and every Tuesday at this hour can it is John and Eric in Boston -- holly are off this week. -- you. We're doing very well -- the Red Sox are now in first place by only nine games apparently New York papers are excited that deficit is now under. Under double digits to single digits there are exactly two weeks left before the trade deadline. And the Red Sox got a couple of good pieces of news last night first and foremost Curt Schilling appears to be back on track to be back by the end of the month. He said yesterday he shoulders felt better now than it has in any other point during the season. And they got a complete game shutout by young left handed pitcher last night things are looking pretty good for the Red Sox right now.

No question and the depth they have from pitching stamp. We've gathered to. The two guys that it -- out buckled you know they have pitched particularly well at that level yet where buckle just in its first part the fact that there and possibly. It would contribute that's great I'm. And give them. But it's very very few teams have surpluses in the rotation. It's just rare rare on the stage of the game. Now as for the rest of the way it can they -- the World Series currently I'm sure there's an open -- of now. And trying to figure out how best to improve the team they've been looking at least four league pitching help and there are a member of the team.

Will -- make a deal before the trade deadline so much is made of chemistry in the Red Sox seem to have a pretty good mix right now in -- Schilling coming back in. With -- or claussen and guys who come in the deploy again do they need to do something ten do you think they have to do something.

Well first Arnold thank you at a deeper -- disrupting chemistry. If you brought it to Jared traded lol it moved to third that's something else and and that's -- and maybe kind of statement. Too much reach but the same time. I think all teams and US finisher on this over the years try to improve even incrementally but dated eight -- they can -- of -- that helped them they're going to do it and I don't know that it will be anything dramatic I think basically they're focused on getting. A reliever in the Houston guy at our place.

Is Eric Gagne one of those names they're looking at.

I don't think god it will be a factor for them simply because. Wants to close game in -- that I don't know. If he had that on the they're -- not treatment but either way his desires to close he's got a lot of money I'd. Finished so I don't need embryonic Gagne. Wind -- got Jonathan Papelbon news here for as -- in the game. But we have look at others short.

There's a time when teams transition into selling mode I think we saw that with the days maybe that happened before that but now candles on it. Arguments in which Houston which other teams do you think are are now maybe this week starting mystic their toes into alright here's what we doubt what can you give moss and how will that affect the market here over the next two weeks.

Well like such short sellers there's no question about it contreras Jermaine Dye possibly Vasquez but it would have been the right offer for. And the national how many people talk about them but they've that the interest pieces one reason -- talk about them because -- unrealistically. -- prices on the players so difficult to deal with them. And the giants the giants just gave Bryant it in the general manager a two year extension and while doing that basically signaled. -- political war -- player development and with that. Possible trade veterans that don't have a lot itself -- of talk this week I was there a trading or what was killed the reds.

got those reports out here to.

First of all -- but at short stop making nightly news starting at second or Vizquel it was offensive players in the and -- don't -- and I respect him but if offenses the issue and not going to be any better off with Omar Vizquel so -- the Bay Area media's imagination.

and you brought up the giants. I I saw Barry Bonds implode after another bad game what easy one for his last 23 and he still four homers short of hank Aaron's all time Mark. Where would you rain break that tantrum that Barry Bonds through a couple of nights ago.

He's as frustrated with a catcher -- Barry Bonds priced players are under a lot of scrutiny. Altitude move the other -- repeatedly. First -- reporters that is done at times in the past that's something else but I think there's one shot deal.

done let's bring it back to the Yankees in this is kind of where we started the conversation and now the big question for New -- at nine games back with two weeks and counting until the trade deadline. Are the Yankees buyers to make a run or are they sellers.

I think it could be both. They've been talking with other teams about from the veteran leaders. And the same time they're looking again position players and try to do that it -- first base potential. And even if they -- movie critic victor over Chamberlain in the minor leagues to prop. Sobel general Philip Hughes comes back because of the -- into the bullpen though. Merits of that are debatable at the I felt. They have options and I think the closest they get. -- our division. And they have made -- questions in the that this series of 29 consecutive games in a five of the the starting it rather well. I think I pretty heavily the --

Does the fact that if you look at the rotation what's the -- Hughes into the -- you know assume he's going to come back Clements had it long use him his scene has been a guy who's been more downed enough but. You look at that rotation that has to tell them unique you're not going to go on one of those long losing streaks and we saw a few weeks go from them I mean they can stay right in the mix to the very end and what would be the most important part out of what you listen would it be. Upgrading at first base or would it be something in the bullpen in the bullpen is that a little bit better as of late what's the most important piece they would need that.

I've practically -- in the eighth inning but other surveys it that way they think and it said that maybe derby champ of mine needs of the Apache people may. And they got another first based -- perhaps the young ones take control that that would. -- electricity in the lineup until I. It's up possibilities how that figures in the equation -- service to DH quite a bit lately but. By the end of the month well that's I've heard and the goal and it will it happen but it just thing is. That get reported much but the reds -- Yankees -- both look at it younger first baseman that they patrol for several years that's one target. If both teams have they've kind of backed in the

obviously another story surrounding the Yankees is the accusations of racism by Gary Sheffield limited his manager or former manager Joe -- and then Kenny Lofton comes out the media and for all intents and purposes back Sheffield and his story what is your take on all of this.

They're out there. And issues and not skin -- I don't know what happened in town it would certainly interpreted or say. Is that we've never heard this before about territory about who has been. Pretty diverse mix of people -- half Americans wrapped in recent years but -- a lot of other while. And it certainly had great Hispanic talent. Gained Japanese count that's coming at one point there. Years ago but they were after Albert -- Joe Torre told management -- outdoor -- it was so. I just don't see. Overall pattern here where there's a real problem. From my perspective now I am not Gary ships actually -- I will say this ship builders -- book on the biography. He complained about -- in the book anime agents that they mention in HBO view regarding. Vladimir Guerrero outward for him how he was -- singled out meeting -- never mentioned this huge. He Gary Sheffield they'll books you know management issue it just pops into your head during an HBO view. I think that it usually.

Agreed backed the Red Sox we've had a couple of calls -- today about the future of Willie Mo Pena and is it with Boston would he be able to start to reach some of that potential somewhere else do you think that's you know trading chip that the Red Sox will throw out there in the next couple weeks are there already doing that.

I'm sure they are but what does he can bring. His value had. And in the national always welcome both of them from the date. Sure the the ability there. He's kind of guy where you 500 bat may hit 3035 home runs but he gets that chance so. I would think is in decent chip but I don't think it would commit level prospective.

You know also if you get 500 at bats he might strike out 200 times that's the other.

Yet and that's the Adam Dunn and there's merit to that kind of player when he gets on base enough. Oh -- Adam Dunn Dunn it's still a little like so we're both still it is already established so.

One of the other names mentioned as trade possibilities as we get close to the deadline is that Ken Griffey junior who is having a pretty darn good yeah this season. Eyes threatening 600 career home runs do you think he's limits in the field will -- Cincinnati's ability to deal him if indeed they are looking to do so.

Right I don't think there -- it is so and they will listen. I repeat it's called does want to do this what's been done here's what we have there would be no question interest but. The same time he would eight times I. And they can't simply -- Griffey junior her two guys people never heard. It would not go over too well at a pretty bad he's in PR wise. I don't think -- limitation in the field would be a problem he -- regular okay not great but okay and then. Teams that get him would want him for what is they wouldn't really be bothered by that but I just don't if there's enough problems trying to create a market

another another. Person has been brought up on this radio station I figured I pass this along to you Eric Byrnes is he trade possibility for a team.

I don't think so there the race and -- pretty good team. Granted he is created in the this year -- with the Diamondbacks right now in this book China. I hang around in the west now are they going to be 18 that ultimately we. In that division no finished just burned the kind of in my pro active yet but -- the very popular player there there's sit. For a half out right now and there are police close in the walker Richard all of those close. I don't see that happening now think they'll be very good at all.

There's been a lot of A-Rod talked and I'm sure it's -- now in all the quarters of the baseball world but you know others that talk around here about well could. You see him in a Red Sox uniform you know stop -- come out with some interesting things you know the nine game best of nine World Series you know and you know just. Throwing out his ideas about Daisuke Matsuzaka throwing too many pitches and I'd like -- Terry Francona negotiated contract to bought. Boris but it looks like and I would never believe it looks like he'll be right that it rod will be at 30 million dollar guy I mean is that what he's going to come in -- After -- outside this Yankee contract.

I certainly think it's possible or pick one team and whether it -- concerned they'd. Recent times generally shied away in the long term. Massive commitment to old players -- erratic older player as we speak but 30 -- Next week and during that contract he will be a world player. So considerate sort -- evolve of course I don't think there's any question that the look at it examine it in the indicated team to go crazy. I would tend to doubt that.

Alex Rodriguez is certainly the hitter that will command the most money in the free agent market another player that we've kind of talked about over the last week. Is Johan Santana and the feasibility of the Minnesota Twins re signing him he has one more year after this one correct how much money would Johan Santana. Command on the open market taking into account the outrageous salary that San Francisco is paying -- easy go.

Well I was struck an Asian and we concluded that sabathia will also be created after. Japanese might be under our pitcher Santana -- to a which of course provide these guys they helped by given way to market continues to escalate. It carried over 126. -- which a lot of people did and what sabbatical and Japan especially. And I think because of the team they'll be involved -- to the the only then. Yeah it's huge monster deal. And he'll be worth it I think we're -- hit the ball that stays healthy -- he is not a guy who like you additional declining. Trend over the last -- either strikeout rate was. Don't you comment what has happened. While it's happening nationally pitcher's park even warlock but. -- and it -- no such sign anything he's been just as ever but yet he keeps that accurate and a -- could be. Out of control.

Our last question and -- and I that we like to ask you this every week if we can oh we take a look at the best teams in Major League Baseball record wise it to the Red Sox are still number one you have Detroit Cleveland and the angels in the American league is there any national league team. As you see right now they can challenge these four teams for a World Series.

Now that that last year and of course things happen. But I guess the better question right now which is the best team nationally and because they probably scored electric -- and they need another starter I think in. -- relievers well but. I attempted to do with their -- and they've certainly benefited change in very two hours hitting coach they've got a chance. There's in his first place in the west right now that the best record he won five straight scoring obviously -- did David it pretty.

Even better than it is does the San Diego offense is that what scares you Americans.

Their offense is hard -- it's -- pain -- little bit better with Barrett -- I think Milton Bradley is going to help them but. Kelly -- is better manners and in the pitching different. While it goes to San Diego but he -- pronounces the opposite to.

American thanks a lot as though it's taken -- Ken Rosenthal baseball insider from fox sports