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Larry Lucchino

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Thu, 22 Feb 2007

Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino sits down with DNC and responds to Curt Schilling's comments about not receiving an extension from the Sox.

Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" We're very pleased to have the president and -- the Boston Red -- Larry -- with -- will be leaving tomorrow going to Atlantic City for the classic -- show up but so we have -- up put up the numbers during the season it's six. Larry -- I'm fine target and it takes the -- yes yes we are following some breaking news by Europe -- pitcher Curt Schilling said that Denham negotiations have ceased with the club. But the Red Sox have made a business decision and will not be offering him a contract and I wrote it in an ocean at this point until after the season is over"

" I. That is the oh there there question -- came Tuesday as it did news surprised and but out of respect for him we met and discussed it considered it and thought that this this. Age and stage it was probably more appropriate to make that contract decision. At the end of the season -- that is why. Mean -- goes to free agency saw the price of pitching this offseason. Can we assume that a -- next season won't it be one has prices go up he's asking for -- one year extension. By next at his current pay his current -- scale. Wanted to go up an open up by this time next year. Well first of all. I think it's inappropriate for a stupid debate what may or may not happen with respect occurred particular player's contract negotiations but it was stated there's a period after the season -- team has exclusivity. Before player goes to free but that never matter does it it have mattered we've signed some players appears in the past we've signed them Mike Timlin for example one night in recent years before -- gone. Free agency not that it happened to him. In my experience. Don't guys always leave it's my experience big play big time players. I don't percentage become big free agents and they start looking at the grass on the other side when they get the free agency it -- they do. I don't know what's out there so it's easier to get them scientific -- What don't they always leave I think the answer to that is no do they often leave the answer that Agassi is yes but in our case we think that we -- have an opportunity later this year to two to deal with this issue and and and well at that point when."

" and John Henry and Tom -- discussed this a couple of days ago they said well that's the players' right to ask for contract extension as it is our right to -- we would like to take a peek at him and see what he has offer before we -- in my sensibly get -- read their their their entire -- the taking a -- spring training -- into things go on spring training probably before opening day something gets done that I -- was having said their or did it changed the company policy here regarding this particular --"

" Again I I think it probably is a mistake. For us to talk too much about what Kurt said this morning I didn't hear woody -- said -- in here with John Thompson. So I think the best thing to do you see is to say let's leave Curtis said what he has what what he has said. And I'm not enough for any any further comment now on again particular catcher like. I think he's been a horse for us he's been sensational. Over the years and and this is by no means meant to be -- are two to Curt Schilling -- you perform."

" It it does seem like a no brainer for a guy wants one more year ace pitcher and you saw the price of pitching. It seems like if they can you -- mentioned Jason Marquis and even even Zito and Schmidt. Say boy this is going to go up -- prices going to go up do you afraid is age of of his age being 40 he really have to take a look at a guy at that age."

" Well again Yankee saying I don't want to talk about it you keep saying hey let's talk about it I think that is the there -- there is an issue regarding. Age with the players pitchers of course it has to be factored in contract negotiations. How we'll see what happens when we sit down and the Indians here Theo sit down with with kurd and and -- they'll be a a negotiation but apparently I think that's enough enough said to."

" On that subject he used told us in the past that you like healthy debate within the organization of seven people are are opining on a particular thing you like -- four and three looking healthy debate take place was very healthy debate over J. D. Drew. Within the organization."

" Yeah I think that the this is not a surprise the baseball operations people. Long maintained a keen interest then in JD Jews and that's not something just popped on the radar screen this. This offseason so there -- there there was the debate there was discussion Tuesday that's the consideration of the length of contract and all of that but did that's fundamentally and respond the responsibility of the US team in baseball operations department to. To assist all of free agent possibilities and I think that he is an excellent job getting -- of the best position players available and 82 and certainly one of the pitching prospects for players they. -- in this game it is not if."

" There were other suitors for JD Drew didn't have to be one of the best kept secrets in Major League Baseball in recent years is your understanding that other people were chasing you JD Drew."

" Well yes it is my understanding that was the case and I know that presses -- there were no other suitors and I don't think that's that's accurate. Does it seem like Europe and the player who's been on the DLA times. Who's never played back to back seasons of 110 games or more three years he's played back to back over 45 games -- last year's you two years ago 70 and two out of 32 out of three now we're I'm 45 games and that and that year he would eerie nights -- was hit by pitch on the wrist -- not exactly. An accident or injury for which he can be blamed. Seems to me that we should get this guy little's lack and gave him a chance to perform people don't and yet -- people haven't seen him. And now callers are scouting reports indicate that he has and a versatility and collar around skills make him -- major factors team. And I just hope you guys love. Will weed and seed rather than -- to a premature but you know I'll also -- well before well it could be part -- drivers if a lot of are addicted Daisuke Matsuzaka win at least 18 haven't himself but he -- Does that bother you I don't want to jump to conclusions yet he -- Leona does by the -- that I that you should -- should take longer -- what you can do whatever you need to do. What what what we are doing is taking a longer term perspective on the -- six years matches doctors contract that is that we oh we expect that there will be some transition issues some cultural and language issues of course. And some baseball transition issues to the American league not just of the American baseball with the American league which is even tougher than nationally. So -- our view is that is is almost Japanese and it's in in nature that is that we want to take a long term view. Or more -- looking at this and two or three years so you know what has he done in the first couple years under this contract rather than taking one years now you know."

" This strike me as the ultimate Larry Lucchino deal because it's the synergy between the bees baseball side and the business side. Theo claims it's a baseball decision strictly but when you come here and you see the the million dollar -- night tent in 120 members of the Japanese media you can't help but think that the business and business side of the Boston Red Sox organization was involved. Is that true was it justice perfect storm a ball that the things come together."

" I think that's actually good way of putting it -- it was -- first of all it was a it was a baseball decision you know going just -- Japanese player because you want to aggressively market there -- in Japan and Asia. You you you make a judgment about a particular player -- can -- is -- again again you want in your rotation can make that team better. Once you answer that question and that question was answered in the affirmative clearly and then you -- it would not what can we do to capitalize on this on this opportunity. And there are opportunities that the they're presented to be sure they're not the sort. Gigantic down bundles of cash that some people have suggested is more again some more longer term presence it's generalized increase in the awareness of the Red Sox there's some short term advertising benefits from keen interest in Japanese corporations but we don't have extra tickets to sell for example we four Japanese tourists to come and buy them. We have so we idiocy situation where the two sides of the business. Have to work here. Together elaborate lately and four together so you're saying there's -- 50 million dollars with the revenue wealth there over the next -- fabulously not to as a terrible misconception about that I think partners people betting on the -- then when this was -- I think there there are audited they're with they can have within you remember of course that international the baseball activities are they bra the reserve of Major League Baseball Major League Baseball as first. Crack at the opportunities internationally. In eight games that a televised in Japan are licensed through Major League Baseball on through Nelson the marketing activities in Japan are conducted through Major League Baseball international -- the Red Sox. So we are we are a a vehicle to help baseball Major League Baseball expand his presence in Japan. But there's certain limited areas like advertising here at spring training advertising and we part things that are peculiarly. Local so do you still Daisuke red socks shirts in Tokyo. You'll collect the entire 20 bucks for the shirt. That is correct. What are your -- went 30 on 30 on the 30 of the yeah him as your wild your own store in in on yawkey way -- you different in our in our home arson. In our own market we -- on my idea that he our own home television territory. I in New England basically like the brilliance -- cells that they skate shirt you get how we get -- slices now -- percent of the maker of the reminder targets it was the royals to hear -- no that's correct the the that money stays with in the home market. And similarly at the Dodgers so ushered in Los Angeles licensing money come from that your it goes into the doctors however if shirts are sold in Tokyo. The licensing money flows to Major League Baseball and they divided up among all the 12130 bases but it's -- whether it's -- to be. Well known in Japan age it's good for our recruiting effort for future baseball players it's good for our overall line marketing effort weakened with the world drinking we're going to have Japanese fans following this team and that's that that deposit."

" Clearly as an effort to protect your investment you went out of your way to do all that you could to make this -- comfortable that he asked for anything that you didn't grant him whether it be acupuncture interest massage therapist whatever the case may be."

" Yes yes the spirit answers yes that I can't imagine what all -- night. His agent Davis a long list of of things that he thought would the -- it. -- were. Commonplace bird customers for for the players and paying him as an example or. Decatur massage -- training technique you know then that would be useful to be it would continue that kind of thing okay and compartment of the but their also whole bunch of other kinds of things then now we went through the men and the term which you were era most essential to do it. Easy transition comfortable transition which you were unnecessary or excess that you really promised to get him on against the we we actually know that day he was in news news serious golfer we did promise any particular core golf course -- it make access and make him an opportunity -- golf courses around."

" And a membership at a local courts that I'm not -- I have to check and that I don't think that's in there ideal but I'm not here. -- what message if if if if there -- and show revolves raw evolving around Daisuke god knows enough cameras around him. And that or broadcasts in some form fashion in Japan. Is that international baseball is this Clinton made one -- one at 30 that's exactly right does it help nests and I mean if it enhanced your best investment NASA and with that somehow the yeah little yeah I suppose insane it does that Howard and -- I don't know 30 the revenue that's maybe exposed you think it appears that again you know again idea man -- you know and we're carrying up with ideas you see things around here you'll -- things at Fenway Park. They relate to this narrow little window that belongs to the local team and that is. -- advertising and Stanley park there will be some Japanese related advertising -- that part. And the Japanese promotions in Fenway Park but Estes from."

" All that's small slice of vote much larger. Revenue opportunities available to the national baseball and -- the players there has got to -- some Daisuke NASCAR's synergy at some kind of -- record -- we think you should be sanity but it's. But it anything yet and we sports group does we you know we wanted to sort of help that and he'd grow and development -- a bigger more mature at the end of quickens and do it with across. Marketing of baseball and and -- do you -- and -- you -- noticeable by your -- at -- on -- I would see -- I was I was following -- quite closely for the first time in my life -- you change -- that that's that -- but I don't -- and -- what do -- like 70 million Japanese people -- Red Sox nation at ten bucks -- Today again do you guys that's a yes but that money's shared with Major League Baseball again because it's an Internet it's -- Internet and I -- unity we have the 80 on like the you know -- typical as a a lot of you're right in Buford has talked about centralization of revenue now that trend is growing and growing there's not at QB in the revenue sharing it again yeah. And but there are bunch of vehicles that are run by my -- baseball is so popular owner of the Marlins of that and sit back and you go Sox -- Tony Pena go make it and make they've made -- delicate is very popular in Japan because the next he can correct that we did in Japan. We'll be even bigger and better than the last one and out and about 130 here who gets the five million dollars luxury tax assessment. That goes into a fund those two Major League Baseball so they all get all our task. What Wendy when their strategies for different things can be used. For the baseball tomorrow fund it can be used for our various other kinds of ways to grow the game -- game as the German -- the commissioner's office when the Yankees gear everything -- new ballpark. Is -- the get nervous and say we have to revisit the new ball park in Boston we have reached the saturation point of and one now. We don't we wish them like with a new ballpark -- it's Cedras finished grossest. But no we don't we made his season long go to commit ourselves differently and now more ownership group. -- sign up for his long time commitment that way and that we we see it is hello and good. But in improvements every year upgrades expansion there that way -- the little -- that Jerry enormous revenue in the Red Sox but we're working on all and all avenues departs to pursue other revenue opportunities because. That's the fuel that that he gives us the opportunity to sign him -- it is Perkins being aggressive free agent market is your major architectural team. Reached a finite number four -- over the course of 510 years this is the absolute maximum number of -- we can fit in here -- we numbers. In. 398 somewhere in that neighborhood -- be exactly -- Irving near Atlanta now 36 or idiot does 30 I mean 30. Maybe I mean he's 30 ninths 56 statements and it somewhere in that green right luxuries. That's mine -- resemblance is hover over the ballpark in you know those count and it's going to scarier it is -- hears me to think that -- I think in the same. Let that. We do we have thought about that that is the -- and a -- line outside part part of our own narrow at the -- eight year. I the profit margin of concessions stands sushi in 89 there hasn't been concession -- signal yet Communists and yet they said there -- and so while we are going to have them that we -- and then that's the deal for. John Henry is one of the smartest guys meant I'm sure he would compare. He'd he hadn't heard about Tom Brady this morning -- that read the report days after news broke that loss was a possible. Column and you you know he wouldn't look right or last week and yes I have heard -- news you know it last week in it was like last week in -- World Series super bull NASCAR he was in Daytona -- And Hewitt being on those down there. So rude to miss the the big story book and the Boston herald for a couple days not program here."

" Larry good to see you thanks to the Rodriguez are always an exclusive Larry Lucchino brought to you by the cold athletic -- to going to play with the cold equipment you're not playing with the best"

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