Ken Rosenthal - Fox Insider

Each and every week we speak to our baseball insider Ken Rosenthal of fox sports we miss connections on Tuesday -- was nice enough to. Join us on Thursday instead -- good afternoon how -- you.

every night enough. The only connection that were on in my head.

That's okay I understand you're on a plane these things happen. I I -- just.

Had I should note anyway I -- don't.

It's it's going real well well of course all is hunky dory in this little corner of the world the Red Sox have a double digit lead. They have five members of the team headed to the all star game maybe six with Hideki Okajima and -- just trigger not playoff rotation that's all Otis.

Well barring injuries -- something really catastrophic it's really hard to envision a scenario in which they get caught in the east and it's great 11 exit allow them to -- Schilling and set up for the post is improperly as soon as continues. And basically just even despite a couple of different pick up for it Lugo. -- early times it's constantly it's possibly of --

I guess the next question should be because the Red Sox appear to be so tough to catch what is next in New York they'd failed to win on the -- birthday he's never happy about that but. -- now you have people criticizing Joe Tories managing style now you have. You know possible trade talks involving Bobby -- you what's your take on what is next to this franchise.

Destroyed about this except on our web site today and I think they go to number direct aid have been eating disgusting trying to figure if he's. I'm not sure that happened it basically went well what we can have total pain. It's funny topic without a thought it would be. It's still up in the top American league but not nearly what they thought irritation in straightening out for the open an issue all the I think it's possible they could make some. Selling I'd trade integrated everyone perhaps -- to a reliever that they hit deconstruct. Because all the electric ought that they got their rosters so. It's really up in the air right now I think or possibly could be in trouble in what. Have been fired by the out Steinbrenner was engaged that he wants what it operation. Clearly not. But when issue posadas say. -- These guys critical emotions here and it's a push it to its care as much ideally it -- You wonder. At that point it becomes fact of the matter of the boasting that generally reflect that a manager and not well.

Ten A-Rod out -- they with a -- hear what you hear about his availability for the all star game next week.

I would doubt it in -- I just make it any time you have a question of physical situation has been could help us. That it's probably best not play in the all star game. Obviously you want in there obviously -- he's has spoken out very eloquently. It was an obligation to let people are so vote for you you go there if you picked up a little bit -- saint and the greater obligation astute. And I would guess if as yet they've -- not --

And two or its credit he's -- said if you can't play he will still get out there today and go to be part of at all. Any idea where Jim Leland the American league would go for the replacement a lot of people talk about Orlando Cabrera as a shortstop who probably should have been on that.

Yes great point the same time. You look at that. Pretty certain that and at third base situation. And try can't cut it -- web sites so I don't know it would be out what you with a guy that part. Publisher -- Cabrera certainly is worthy and it's all very played very quick of course it does count so -- that is -- where they're ago they're based perspective. And in Iraq is certainly the guy what you want outcasts of going out all checked out there.

Now granted he has a tight collided we just talked with the Red Sox manager Terry Francona and he's not gonna play tonight because of it. But Kevin Youkilis even always odd technically a first baseman can play third. People here in Boston think he was snubbed considering the type season he has had Mike Kevin Youkilis via replacement for.

I doubt be a great choice and you -- has played so well. Camp claim that there are obviously all there and he's one guy already but which really kind of -- great you know it is a great number of third -- out there in the American or nationally. I -- he's gotta be all struck out commute be obvious choice but youkilis will be worthy it would have been out on. I think he probably very deserving all --

Summit -- since we haven't had a chance to talk to you since the all star balloting in rosters have been finalized in your opinion what are the biggest snubs this year there are always some every year. Was on your list this year besides you Kalus.

Chris Young does not want. This guy probably tied for Italy area I hoping he'll be 32 and I would parliament now nationally. They also nationally Edgar Renteria at a Red Sox stand by friends partly is they exceedingly well. -- of the numbers of the best today actually short and it's very position. Here with me -- to either I think. And -- deserves credit for not doing -- but it. I accept them. And -- huge part I has -- you have a big year. He is a guy that fans want to see I would have liked to have seen here. Out there I'd give clip some other sports do understanding circumstances. The number of -- are already on the -- is there at that position but the same time at all start the first.

And obviously Manny was that was voted in by the players as a reserve. Were you surprised by that at all I mean he's having a -- lightly sub par year by his numbers any hasn't gone of the all star game the -- to think that would factor to their vote at all.

I don't think there's so much as we do and you're right in the same type of year but I think. Well there's guys they respected fewer than most any economy that was every issue so I think that's where that vote came out. Demoted bit surprising but at the same time is Manny Ramirez and I think players recognize that.

One of the top prospects in the Red Sox minor league system is outfielder Jacoby -- berry and I don't know if you had a chance to watch this kid play he's only played a few games but. -- to stays open up a few lie since being called up from triple life.

Yeah I haven't really -- connection I've been on the west coast last few days by the same time he is. From every -- very exciting player. The guy that along a book called Leicester is probably -- one trade it probably is always be a potential blockbuster. But those three guys that are identified as being the top guys and well great but evidently he gives them options down the line they want to trade Chris. If they want is some other things you know I felt like in the -- play. Speed that just always at some. To me that the pirates are traditionally had over the years have been trying to get a little bit more Lugo threw it. Just be about guys like Chris of course it's that do it would be right along that --

Now we're saying before you haven't started the game yesterday cat with a triple and a safety squeeze -- I don't know if that's ever happened in the history red Sox baseball.

I -- and go to bat that is -- offensively market that must have been over the years. It is evident early -- team that to a lot of -- I think -- ain't supposed. -- to be flexible. Do a number of things helps you kind of has been as great debate statistical -- in the way. You know ever give -- out -- etcetera but there are different ways to play and if you look at the angels. -- a former walk in the American league. They are very very nationally type up a single first to third that it running to all kinds of things. This -- to watch four days in a very effective that it for another.

I'm looking at the American league standings right now and there are really four teams and distinguished themselves -- playoff contenders the Red Sox Cleveland Detroit in the angels. Seattle made a run for awhile and in the Red Sox all about that they got swept down on the west coast a couple of weeks ago. Do you think Seattle has the staying power to hang in there and contend for a playoff spot at the end of the season.

As great question and it's funny at the start of the season. I remember back our apartment and trainers the best at it was horrible all Seattle for that you get really excited. About what was there now at this kind of showed how that the term is doing just -- job. Obviously resign with the same time I ever believed in net and I didn't think it was not. All out. Excellent -- put it that way I thought it was good pieces -- is that so it yet. They have played very well there are currently that I thought -- got over this morning -- actually got swagger which is well but I haven't they let them. Too much over the years they need another starting pitcher for sure. In 81 more bat if -- sit in -- D but they are going to be active let. He tried some things that -- it -- that would have been up early or could be you know early straight.

I hadn't -- I was I was trying to lead up to the next question we haven't talked you I don't think since Mike Hargrove resigned what is your take on that.

I hit they bit barring something we don't know -- the typical of that out and print coat. Really well and have -- problem of course. Product somewhat related distressed perhaps not but yeah it goes through the -- it pretty well at. We're of course is that over the years but that position that -- people change people. It is just a really hard they handle it gate you're you're at our -- everything that is what -- said it will. And there's been no indication contrary I understand it brought out and it is job where I do picture of -- out of the difficult.

Can you run a Mark burley and you know if the numbers we're hearing are -- they've agreed on pretty significant hometown discount now we're hearing he's holding firm that no trade clause could that be a deal breaker in Chicago.

It is right now and I put particular night and day not that they get over trip -- and he's traded -- an -- is going to be a free agent and I think that any of the latter part of that is simply. All our flight to on the net today. We don't want to I would any but it article rating. That would I would think Austin for a while their right. -- I think you'll from the very hitting approach with your read with interest me hear it it's not that great at different between. The two -- The white -- a trade for the first Brody -- guy kicking people would trade protection that -- the third year. Me I don't CA elected you know all our over the I think ultimately to find a way to predict it was money if -- Six million dollar bonus straighter and I always viewed it but it's gotta get I got the open market. He could be. At least I don't sit in 86 16. In which people like our favorite anywhere between 30 and hit it out pretty good field.

And it's it's one on the subject to the White Sox at ticketmaster this before the White Sox at last look are nine games under 500 and almost 14 games not the lead in the American league central. And at Ozzie Guillen still has a job even though his players aren't hitting forum I can't will he last the season in your opinion.

Yeah I think so they may think given attention they are not all displeased with him. And it they're right or trained agent that is there. It would be right in Lima has personality -- that it will -- and all that is happening how much in it they had injuries. That was all and that goes to the general magic and pleased and somewhat it -- to stumble -- our growers. And basically just called toward the middle -- work -- at all. It just regret period every area. I think its investors and I think eventually it fire it would although that I'm going to happen but I don't be happening.

all star game sort of brings us into the it the silly season whenever -- though these trade rumors around as we close in on July 31 it's still early -- you getting a feel for whether this will be an active month or not.

I totally accurate terms of -- short and I can staying in it at the chance to be active. It's pretty big players in now there's a mitigating factors share -- can -- the right on. Adam Dunn can -- sort of the same thing. But the same time I think contenders authorities so compelled act. It will happen and the guy that is -- or here especially early -- dontrelle or. And -- two years of -- or two and yours what would -- I think you're an awful lot. And that is number one party is only a number three. Not better and it got a great intangibles he brings alot so. I can't think there's going to be some movement there's been a lot of talk. -- decent trade but it still oral all over there which is integrated deadline heavily -- electric a lot of others but I think -- isn't --

One guy the Red Sox have been particularly enamored with over the last couple years a guy who's been hurt is Bradley age who not just the Red Sox are interested in. But Houston seems willing to deal when he's healthy what do you think is going to happen to him in the next three weeks.

I'm not sure they're willing to -- and there owner Drayton McLane is absolute. Vote to give up on. It's not only is he. Even if there doubt about it it has several I have in the past several years they've come back. He just doesn't believe in giving up using guys -- walks into the office says I ordered to do today. -- system and but it tropical like this but I don't think you'll probably get the chance. What is it about what you very improper I like rich but I don't see that happen I'd be surprised if they and off parts.

What are you hearing about the manager situation here in Seattle and Cincinnati and against Baltimore's -- them.

what they aren't slowed their search I don't think there's any rush. Cincinnati is probably going to look at the bigger names as well but territorial because going there either. In Seattle that it -- I think -- who has the chance to stay for the regulation that was the joke for starters the creation in the future it. Basic rail along in. And I think that. Is someone who. A lot of respect -- was no right and then along I think -- chance either depending of course what happened but. The -- that -- Baltimore al leaders churches going very quick.

You mention Ichiro and him being a free -- at the end of the season -- Jones has another center fielder that will be available Torii Hunter is another center field that it will be available. I don't think you'll see an -- Maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't seem to me that either the east any of these three guys are getting traded in the next month because these three teams for the most part are still in contention. But what are the odds -- these three guys actually coming back to the teams that there with now.

Undertone here I think he's going to be so I've carried the percent of backstop or. That's where police got caught it at all the braves -- so. Outrageous I think Cameron could place Atlanta from Georgia. Ichiro my understanding is he would go through one of the coast now I know like such as pitchers I'll go to the White Sox. He'd be obviously I didn't know replaces separatists Colombian out these courts with pop all slightly not coming back. If teacher kind of replacing him one at the French LA San Diego almost -- to be played as well and you know Yankees or Red Sox depending on where they are at that time. And as for Torii Hunter obviously a lot of people will leave Texas it is relationship with Ron Washington but. You could benefit from. The departure vitro go to Seattle to a lot different things I think toward others going to be guys that. Well this could be the first one chosen by willow ultimately end up related play.

So we can do any of these guys in European get moved before the deadline -- would do any these teams say you know -- will take something now on Andruw Jones. Could argue I don't know so -- struggles.

Yell at their -- five. Right to veto any trade -- popular trade him because there's contention and can start great defensive value any Iguodala last finally struck out or utley. So they're hoping he's going to revive I don't see him getting traded -- certainly -- the -- about the twins were pretty. Closer look less conservative generally -- the course so I really would start an industry.

All right so we do this at the end of every in every usually it's dale asks you where are you this weekend in ten which in New York City you in New York again this weekend.

I have in San Diego. Braves departure.

Okay what happened someone else get the New York job this week Yankees have a Saturday off the --

Yeah I -- it but yeah usually it's the all star game without west coast I've probably would be at 200 guys city. And after that I don't know what's going on but. We have the Padres game this week as partners in an all star game Tuesday. Batting practice -- web site okay there we have. And every that I Dodgers at giants the lead after it was Barry probably -- victory over. --

All right thanks elected we appreciate it. I think that's Ken Rosenthal of fox sports he's with a -- in every week usually on Tuesdays -- this week to Tuesday that letter Thursday new Ireland since that's all of matters whatever day he remembers