Clubhouse Insider

" The Red Sox and White Sox are getting ready to wrap it up in Chicago this is the Herb Chambers BMW pregame show. And it's time for the clubhouse insider -- WEEI dot com rob Bradford rubble we talked yesterday we talked about the importance of the Red Sox getting consistent performances from. Jon Lester and Josh -- let's start with Lester who said after the game that you -- have his best stuff and if that wasn't his best it was awfully good."

" Yeah I think this is -- the another sign the evolution of Jon Lester in the sense says. After the previous start you had said the groin was initially actually with his hip there was an issue. But he also says that he's going to fight through the aches and pains that come at the regular season and making as many as thirty starts or so in the regular season. And he's been able to do it effectively I think that this start showed that in the sense that he didn't have the best stuff whether it was. Because of that hip or just because he wasn't his day by he was able to fight through it overcome some -- adversity. And that says a lot about what Jon Lester is become because we've seen so many times in young pitchers in John Lester still as a young pitcher. That the aren't able to overcome. Days were used office and so I think this was a hugely usually encouraging outing for him. And a very very important one for the Red Sox. -- there was encouraging watching Victor Martinez catch him seems like victory is really settling and not just with -- but with the entire pitching staff behind the plate. Yeah when when he came over here a lot of people that really do know what to make of -- to -- team's defensive ability because he wasn't catching all the time with Cleveland. Kelly Shoppach was obviously thought to be the better defensive catcher. But since he's come here really he hasn't shown anything it says well that I can't catch he's shown an ability to handle pitching staff. Do an adequate job of holding runners. And really that's all you want and I think that you're right that you look at the pitchers results when Aikman throwing to Victor Martinez. It has been encouraging more times denied in a note that. Still you have a lot of those picks and a staff -- you know there's nobody like Jason Varitek I heard one pitchers say that. Basically I've never pitched any bunt or dealt with -- anyone like Jason Varitek -- time and time again. But that does not mean you can't win without Victor Martinez behind plays John -- showed a couple times now. Josh Beckett will pitch to Jason Varitek this afternoon at. Although four of Beckett right now it doesn't seem to matter much who's behind the plate he just kind of sorting some things out certain that consistency. Yeah as he said the day after his last Ariza you this isn't going to happen overnight and you look back -- may fifth. Outing where tennis started turning around for him. It didn't happen overnight and it was kind of a slow process in terms of getting through a dominant place where he was in. I think that is back could've been happening the other night where Alaska -- he was the old. I'm Josh Beckett the dominant guy before. And so you don't it's it was a step in the right direction and a lot of people after that game in Tampa one and take kind of highlight that those two innings and say you know what. There it is there's the Josh Beckett he's back on track but he really has to go out and prove something in this becomes a very important start for them. Because you've got to have a good Josh Beckett going for at the top three guys rotation as he says so many times of the most important part of this team in my --"

" One thing we touch on a little British Josh Beckett contract. It was a no brainer that the team would pick up his option for next season. But that doesn't even become an option if the and if that option vests."

" Yeah I was -- by Americans start today the option will -- twelve million dollars. And -- good for Josh Beckett is the most money that you will ever make in a year he would beg he'd made ten million dollars this year in nine million dollars last year. And I don't want to say he came under criticism for sign the contract by. Certainly a lot of people felt like he signed below market value the Red Sox -- to -- good time in 2006 ERA was over five there was probably some uncertainties. In regards to it. It is -- mine in regards to his shoulder his effectiveness everything else since then we've learned is that he can pitch in the American League in pitched very very well. So yes Josh Beckett he says listen you know what -- made fifty million dollars by the time thirty years old that's all fine and he also knows is another contract around the corner. As long as he keeps going on this road. But they will have Josh Beckett another year and at credit pretty decent money."

" He often focus so much and the guys who do not perform up to the level of their contract mean how much time of Red Sox fans spent lamenting Julio Lugo and even J. D. Drew to sort certain extent -- tend to forget about the guys that performed way above what their money."

" This yeah I think that actually this one with things Red Sox have been able to do very very effectively is sign guys at the right time you look at. You'd give David Ortiz even before this'll slide here. That that was big got him at the right time Josh Beckett is the best example is no question and you can make the argument that he lost sixty million dollars. And and sign you Stanton because you would have been a free agent after 2007 season he would probably -- making close to Johan Santana money. And -- but like I said Josh Beckett understands there's another contract around the corner for -- he's young enough and he's pitching well enough to still get his money."

" Ira thanks as always thanks -- If you missed any part of that conversation or would just like to hear it again you can't W dot com just click on audio on demand. The WEEI dot com SP -- no nonsense coverage interview was brought to you by SP a lie when you want low cost like insurance would -- hostile. And no nonsense you want to be alive and no nonsense like insurance company. It's now time for the Red Sox trivia question sponsored by KGB. Who was the Red Sox career leader in wild pitches thrown. While the answer later in the show but if you like then answering immediately text the question or any other two KGB KGB which is 542542. In your wireless phone. And the KGB team will have the answer for you in seconds KGB they answer to you. On the way we've got our trip around the major leagues up next the inside pitch this is the Herb Chambers BMW pregame show on the WEEI Red Sox radio network."