" Believe me when I tell you I've worked with tough for people work quit -- Michael Balladur I promise you. I've been through it already so I don't understand what the issue and look at what people think they're going to be fireworks I don't understand what the what the problem is I've worked with a lot of different people I've enjoyed nearly all of them I'm looking forward to working with Michael Felger all week in fact I think the Boston media -- just from -- to all the way around we don't have. Things and there's an Aussie -- already. You're thrown you know big words -- I'll take -- to measure disrespect just to channel like Ali. I don't understand all the things he faced them vote yes sometimes you toss out things on a cocked I finally got. Different different different parts of the world took me awhile to come up without one but it is in fact Michael Felger who is that in for Michael Holley. In a -- told yet. Going into yesterday's Red Sox game if I told -- they were going to pull out an improbable. Eleven inning victory on the strength of three home runs. Commonly -- what I have to give you before you came up with Dustin Pedroia Coco Crisp and Jeb Lowrie as the home run hitters who turned what. What actually could turnaround this season before all is -- and yeah. But I don't think that was the story of the game yesterday and this -- the game was. Masterson Okajima Papelbon Delcarmen. Clean five innings from double the bullpen their -- the bullpen and Michael holly and I had a -- discussion about this -- my putting point. A discussion about this for when a vacation. He is convinced that the bullpen is death and destruction and there are some members of the bullpen -- agree with him on I actually think it's been better than than they get credit for here hopefully."
" Compared to the league that's what you have to deal most bullpen -- dale most bullpen -- both opens when you get there you're in trouble by definition. If you got. If you've got two guys that you can rely on game and game out. You're you're probably ahead of the curve and if you got three you probably got a top five bullpen in the league I mean really that's a wave breaks down. So which by the way Toronto came into this series. Having the best bullpen in baseball according to -- any R and Tampa has been great all your arm and those are those are keep things on and it it it's -- key part. Of this whole equation has -- that the bullpen stinks it doesn't stink compared to the league. Is it championship worthy that should be the conversation is the bullpen. Championship worthy at a -- a Michael Holley said last week it wasn't championship worthy it's hard to argue now it could. It could get there. And I think there's the potential to get their but I I don't know -- there right now that's why the weekend so encouraging on Friday. You got three clean innings from Okajima Masterson Papelbon yesterday it was five --"
" Saturday the bullpen didn't matter to you because you're a starter couldn't do anything anyway. I think the bullpen has had the occasional pick up as all bull pens do and Hideki Okajima is a great example for me. He had the awful performance a week ago Sunday at home against Iran gave up three runs. Blue is ERA out as the our race for bullpen guys changed dramatically game to game since July 1. Hideki Okajima has given up runs in two games. A solo home run against Oakland and the three run blow up a week ago Sunday does that feel like they're using it must -- I. I thought they -- intentionally that's under -- snap on that the NC Shell and the ease you know. He's at Baltimore Okajima wears -- You know they they don't total like -- well and you look back a year ago they shut him down for three weeks. He wasn't used to the workload. The North American game as opposed to the Japanese game. He got worn down. They shot literally shut him down for three weeks last year and -- with good performer of the rest of the way. But it it wanted to avoid that this year so they've been a little more judicious in how they use them. But he's a key guy Justin Mac court is the key guy while Justin Masterson as a young kid and I know we're always hesitant. You know I'll go back to the Bill Parcells line you know I never try to throw a young player of the walls until like find out he's one of the wolves. I think this -- on the -- and -- has a pretty good track record of what you get to this time of the year. If you're the best option he's gonna play no matter what your age -- June and and may and it that's different is that to his veterans maybe to a fault to get them going but. You saw last year with Ellsbury may became a little bit late but he eventually got there eventually at this -- eleven Kevin Millar and John all road and Kevin Millar was one of his guys. Well Kevin you don't do the job as well you've got to go in and Yankee eight not only does he have less loyalties to the veterans this -- year. And goes with a guy who's performing he also manages differently and I think people fans still haven't quite caught on. That he manages a game in May slightly differently than he does in September."
" That is for six and -- October it's different but I mean these -- the key numbers dale. The last five outings masters and batting average against 217 ERA 142 thanks a big game James but these numbers. Okajima batting average against 2 wait that was ERA is up. At four point two way but that's because all those hits and runs given up in at fifteen to four loss to the Rangers -- throw that out those numbers are way down there. Even Delcarmen in the last five. 142 batting average against I think that's the key number -- reliever not as much he -- it's it's batting average against inherited runners but Delcarmen batting average against 142. If you get Okajima back to just close to where he was last year if Masterson. Is do we think he has you're talking Masterson Okajima Papelbon with Delcarmen sprinkled in there. Business you're not like nobody's going to go much deeper than that their bullpen I mean I know that in -- like you used to what they're capable for the -- being consistent with that. That's the question but the raw material is there."
" They've won the first two series on the road trip. Including two of three in Toronto when they just can't beat the Blue Jays I mean whatever it is. Teams got their number I I don't know what it is nobody does the last three years they can't beat this team. Took to what a three up there. Yesterday's game had the feel for me of much more than a regular season game against the Toronto Blue Jays it felt different. And this was before the trying to call against AJ Pierzynski and and all that stuff but before I knew what Tampa bay it was going to do it felt different -- late August that the Dustin Pedroia home run felt different. That's a huge play and you hear guys on the team talking about it after the game in although Pedroia homer went down tuneup and he comes up there -- that you know you can kiss my butt attitude here is the end and takes a ball lifted his chin and golf sit in the bullpen for a three run home run. You know that the only Coco Crisp you're you're counting on a Coco Crisp home run that tied game for elated are you kidding me -- he -- power one."
" Yet but that the -- category to meet the the significant plays get -- one. Ellsbury still probably has the imprint of that chain link fence in his face it would the left side of his -- today you probably see the lines crisscrossing his face. I heard Francona after the game say it Jacoby grew up today. Stayed in the game you've got the guardian Grady. J. D. Drew still out with a sore back well women -- illegal back Ellsbury the ultimate warrior I think Ellsbury had the same reputation in that clubhouse. And I think that's Francona knew exactly what he was saying. And who he was saying it about so good he said he -- I think he grew up today because I think there have been times in the past. On the acts with a pitch. A a week or so ago and couldn't play for 45 -- there -- very J. D. Drew us."
" And and all of a sudden you know he takes a face plant into the chain link -- And and says you know what I can go and Francona went out of his way to say it publicly I promise you he said it privately. Because he wants that -- now you know what there's a difference between B and hurt and be an injured. Now J. D. Drew I don't know what the situation is with him and I'm not sure they do. Well Friday I was there in Toronto. And -- the manager's office and Francona says somebody's what's the deal with J. D. Drew -- well he was in the lineup today. He was feeling better they had an off -- Thursday in Toronto didn't work out he said he was feeling better he was in the lineup today. He showed up the ball park that is -- it stiffened up it was worse. We sent him to the hospital for tomorrow. -- okay it stiffened up again these gone for an MRI half an hour later J. D. Drew shows up back from the MRI. And and drops the big term to the media where you know they're all -- the clubhouse I was up in the press box by. And that while the doctor says I might have a ruptured disk. Means that herniated this is our -- elated I'm sorry herniated not ruptured right herniated disk so you know all the media people -- exactly what they're supposed to do. They start blogging back to their newspapers J. D. Drew says he might have a herniated disk. Ten minutes later John Blake the PR guy for the Red Sox come storming through the press box and says. He doesn't have a herniated disk. You know -- we don't know -- he said that term. We don't even have the MR -- results back yet. And and that's something and sell. They changed it to you know stiff back whatever whatever term they've been using. He hasn't played as cents and they have a disabled. And and Terry Francona in the same way he was he with I think very measured in what he set about Jacoby Ellsbury he was very measured what he said about J. D. Drew. We want to give him a chance to play. -- If he can't play -- and a -- on them you know retroactive to last month sucks because they got -- that get a body and a guy and a bench. I mean look you got Sean Casey who missed the weekend series because -- next step. I'm I don't know what's going on I I've."
" He's been important -- this team dale and and the his numbers this year are you getting what you're paying for numbers wise from J. D. Drew this year but it's just this. This piece to it you know that is just it's hard to wrap your your arms around he's not we do. Like the guys who play hard play hard play every day show up when the last under present -- acknowledge Trot Nixon factor he's got to be in all but I would prefer trotman Nixon with talent and there is -- put up with. Manny Ramirez not having those qualities is because he's phenomenal at least also clutched got a pretty good track record of performing when it counts and playing when it counts against. But with the JD Joe is just. -- always going good insisted there's just that bad taste him out because you know it's he's just. A twinge -- soreness here they're from the got a lot of difference between hurt and injured. I'm curious it -- is -- Fairmont games here and I put up 140 last year but that was a soft as 140 I've ever seen. You know what what -- soft 14 means just. Have you ever seen a soft or hard -- forty games played I mean I don't know what that means taking mental health days against the Yankees it means taking days off when you're not disabled."
" You can show me the evidence of that might buy I don't know how many times but I don't -- talking what you were saying of 140 last off or forty meaning he'll show me the Yankee games he took a mental health day off again early as opposed to Terry Francona saying I don't want him pacing. Any -- on the left knee. I want a right handed batter in their of that game I'll find the game it was mussina he's got killer numbers against -- maybe that it was that -- but I'll find -- if it was -- then I'm -- that Terry Francona and I -- what -- good numbers against. Again I'm I'm using the example of a left handed batter left handed pitcher until I don't know I don't off by an example it was JD -- quite honestly -- making it up nor deny terrorists are picking it up all all get to the info if you want. But I'd rather have the involving just throw out there which is what some of -- most like to do I don't like that. Target back -- if if if you want the tangible evidence -- there to to miss games and not disabled okay maybe that's I think that's ballot that's my definition -- of soft me if you're hurt you're disabled you're out. If you're not disabled in the team determines that -- battling through pain and not injury and you're still not playing that to me constitutes. A soft amount of them back that they didn't DL. J. D. Drew law already indicate that the MRI didn't show or herniated and that's -- you know what are you would have the yelled in six. You wouldn't deal them the minute the MRI came back in the minute the doctor in Toronto said he's got a herniated disk. He's on the DL retroactive to Monday give me another body in here somebody who -- pinch run win other Patriot whether or whatever the situation is this is not groundbreaking is optical J. D. -- against Iowa he's just -- I don't understand a soft 140 side trying to explain to him missing games developing disabled how many are those you know. Was it disabled at all last year."
" I don't think final whistle so that's 22 games without actually being disabled that's an -- like -- it's actually not they'll. The way this franchise operates. He played more games than many -- last types of your stuff I didn't say that wives because I think they have questions about. The difference between playing hurt playing injured. But I also think there. There -- guys who we don't question that sort of thing about. Mike lol. You know he he he strength and oblique swinging the bat. Did any of us even for a moment -- come strained oblique swinging a bat. He says he's got a strained oblique that's good enough for me I believe my track records there's daylight at their and -- did pitchers track record out of my guy who came back from cancer I mean I'm gonna go I'm not going to use the cancer thing about talking about baseball injuries here but. But -- you don't questionable because as a track -- right. If and if Jason -- that. You know what my knee is kill me I I -- the night off he they would -- that I don't even think about it you'd say okay he's got to sit out out J. D. Drew comes into the clubhouse and says. You know my back stiffened up. I think there's a natural tendency to set backs that he does not does need to -- that doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt deal I great but the point I'm making doesn't. -- you know -- they obviously don't think he's injured. It would have DL them immediately. They don't think that he's got a herniated -- they would of DL them immediately. They think. Back stiffened up. You know I I don't know that was walking the streets of Toronto on Thursday I don't know what happened. They think is back stiffened up and Terry Francona. As he said he didn't rule out putting him on the DL. He said with a day off today they're hoping. He'll be able played MRI now he walks in Yankee Stadium tomorrow and says Terry I just can't go build the -- immediately. They'll have somebody on the plane. From Pawtucket. -- probably if they're smart they'll already do that today just to be say. They'll have a body in there -- DL retroactive to last Monday. In the give Francona an option somewhere somehow -- he's played we didn't have Drew he can have Casey. I mean that's quite Jacoby Ellsbury almost have to suck it. But he went Jeff Bailey playing right field in Toronto and in a game that feels like it's playoff type game sort of for Jacoby maybe they grow up I hope so that he could."
" April Abdullah to the defense is still on his face if you look at. That's an -- I would be surprised it -- grill marks on his face he. What a great catch that was what -- spectacular what it was it was a sellout but also it in the same breath I don't think he'd hit nowhere defenseless so it was. The Philippines maybe it's a chain link thing -- when he glanced up he saw blue one but he still some room to go it's like I don't know dale you've ever been hammered and you've tried to walk into your your back -- screen door and the screen is in there and you don't realize that that take up. Yet of just yet hatter writing and we sharing something with the class a fighter I don't know like everyone has as a start with a running doing. But Michael Beasley glass that they did I -- It oil can write write for Beckett you know I've thought about say again -- that would simply placed in the backyard trying to come in and -- And I think that's what lies adjacent basically it was -- what's great -- outlets to."
" Manny makes that -- right. He's made him. And then EI thought kind of well well I feel much more confident about they make sure. And I get more consistent I heard on Gary talk about this earlier today. And initially Manning got up to this gigantic lead if you did the the Manny versus Jason box in the in the glow over The Herald. You know and and you looked at a early on as good as they was here early on its -- got like Manny. All of a sudden at boxes kind of shifting in the numbers are kind of evening -- Manny got one more -- invade us at this point he's got three more runs batted in or something more importantly the Dodgers are eleven and eleven. Since the trade was made. And and you're seeing Jason Bay -- baseball -- those things that that you know Manny can't or won't."
" They've been good yeah they were lucky to get him back it that that's. It's hard -- Jason Bay and you got him for another year -- still got room for improvement as an agent that that's. Not the issue the only case I've tried to make with this whole thing and I still feel this way the only thing I strongly disagree with. Is when people say. It would not have worked and Manny state is that the move had to be done this was the point of no return I just disagree with that that doesn't. That's not looking at the recent track record I would suggest a reason track record this thing -- for him to. Come back the storm clouds to pass for him to produce and then to win more often than not. That's what happened as opposed to him shutting it down and ruining the team I I understand your point and that's not an apparent act and I understand your point. I would suggest though that if you around the team -- field and our efforts of the stories used to in the proverbial -- on the car that I this and this has gotten past the point. Of and of no return but and you got other general managers who do knows story -- or basically saying it's criminal. What this guy did in an attempt to -- about it Schilling also told us though that. This is the tip of the iceberg that we know that these things record in the past so I I think. -- yeah there's some bad stores out double what he was doing -- used to and that's up in the past and they still brushed off and got past I I think it was a lot different -- was dramatically different. Because he had a a much greater need. TTA get those two option years lopped off and -- out of town. I think this is in a lot of ways aside issue I think Jason -- good enough. I think providing they get enough guys and -- at their offense is good enough it's can Beckett -- ace. Can those bullpen guys we just talked about be consistent right and then you got enough. But that the -- I think and I was hot button thing I I I still just disagreed I mean. He's been bad the past and they've figured out he's figured out he was works. He was worse than anybody knows how to going to -- And with all the respect Schilling wasn't there are all the time either you they're showing a -- couple years ago when they went under the philosophy you know what though the whack didn't even -- me honest to god the whole thing -- With Youkilis in the dugout didn't. It didn't even register with me. I think that's sort of thing does happen like you and I both have been around hockey. Where you have teammates fighting on the -- about once a week in practice I mean it's just the way of the of the world you and -- used to occasionally accurate actually. So that's sort of thing honest -- it never -- There were a lot of other things. Aside from that I'll disagree with -- on that -- I think this was one that had to be done and and a palpable difference around that team. Cents but the lighter -- and not to belabor this is an old topic but don't understand that that feeling. Also. -- In the past when Manny stated was getting past that trade deadline that really was always the demarcation point you know it was a he he would have a nutty July where he do all these awful things and I got a game to quit on his teammates and then. The trade them I would pass he realizes here. It would be a different thing I -- the storm clouds passed when there was certainly no one more Manny was going to be or not and I understand it was maybe a little bit of a bigger hurdle this year Toronto wasn't a little bit. It was a chasm this year because he was going to be out no matter one. And and if they had gotten past the July 31 trade deadline. And I've heard that the logic out there will -- have to play you know he he wants his numbers he wasn't going to play. He wasn't that would going to well why doesn't sit down for the Dodgers to same situation -- two years -- copy got what you want it so why not to shut it down would -- agency that he's got nothing to play for wealthy erratically does. If -- and I don't think they are but I mean if they get into the playoffs. He'd rather play in the playoffs than not I think if he's got that I would rather have but you know he's built up his value he could shut it down right now. -- being care about I don't think he has built up I don't think he's going to get his four years 25 million a year I think I think he's going to be lucky to get two years out of this whole thing."
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