[3:36] ..." Red Sox fans and media has kind of been experiencing this side Daisuke Matsuzaka media phenomenon now for three starts. Where kinda used to it. But I'll be curious to see how much he gets ratcheted up Sunday night when it's the New York Yankees on the other in the other dugout."...

[7:20] ..." his first start you remember guys that ball off the form. That Ryan Garko or the Indians at that point in the third it start after that was its -- pitch well -- it is decisions"...

[12:19] ..." It's funny 'cause we talked to Terry Francona about this yesterday this whole issue in course he's been in Philadelphia and knows Howard Eskin -- but. We talked about the"...

[0:00]" Ken Rosenthal from fox sports and fox sports dot com joins us right now pick and I don't the now you are on Red Sox Yankees duty the next two weeks right. I'm I'm I'm wondering now your not pitching Saturday for the Yankees."

[0:16]" Now I'm not it is that -- the idea of the world. You know what -- in the last -- not to be an apology. But last night that threat chased Wright who had a few starts about eight ball in his career and -- it now which struggled. It really matter -- on the mound this Portland. And that's the one thing that they can still do whether it will be able to Schilling Beckett not not -- of the store."

[0:41]" Did you see this -- as a contract year for Alex Rodriguez to me no matter what happens do you see him opting out of his contract to see what's out there."

[0:49]" Actually I that's great question read about this tomorrow I think that when it happened so far. Hand the chance -- frankly -- voters opting out but Urbina I don't think there was any question. And what's happening now is -- on the way to a monster year I think it's going to continue he is in fantastic shape. And -- once he gets to that point where he had just make I think you'll be able to do. On the open market what he wants the."

[1:17]" But he won't get more per year but it get a bunch warrior strike."

[1:20]" I don't think we'll get more per year but yet -- yeah I agree I become a much more years 68. Something along those lines and I think the other element here is maybe it was a back short."

[1:31]" Well how about that the we've we've talked about this before with A rod you know -- Includes some of the teams that have money in the Red Sox from the angels at the cobb's knowledge and the Dodgers. The team -- with right now can opt out in theoretically just go back to New York."

[1:46]" Absolutely and you know waiting an advantage to remember the next three years their -- beat the Rangers are paying out salaries would they would do. Just give -- extension it would have to opt out it is take those three years at all right we have point seven. People say our executives said. Well what happens to an extension in the old east do that we don't have any of our players not repair. Okay they don't have to they're they still -- want him I would think because if you know resigned to the RBIs. Incredibly year let's face it -- field from the right at -- side last year it was a -- right side this year. Of the problem -- joined -- on."

[2:40]" Hello Kenny is not Eric Chavez at third base defensively A-Rod as a what do you think he sees himself. As a third baseman or is he merely a shortstop who is happening to play their base."

[3:00]" One he's played about a third base this year than last year Lester I think he's got to be it used to manipulated. Well Connecticut was at all -- and this year he's like he would beat. I think when -- and -- surprised he looked at shortstop any better in attack the ball better. From defensive standpoint and I think if -- the back shorts or wanted to short but he could do that if was pursuing it does not."

[3:36]" The the Red Sox fans and media has kind of been experiencing this side Daisuke Matsuzaka media phenomenon now for three starts. Where kinda used to it. But I'll be curious to see how much he gets ratcheted up Sunday night when it's the New York Yankees on the other in the other dugout."

[3:52]" On it yet I mean there's no question maybe -- in. It's going to be the Yankees the Red Sox. -- because not lack I think in time this will. -- at least in terms of wow every start -- it is huge event but then again if he'd pitch is really really well at the past so far. Without it could be like Fernando -- Japanese style so. I don't know where that still on but I think the encouraging part of the Red -- is he's pitched really well and I other games it and I really. That came reminded me of that spring training game which in the -- it was frustrated he was frustrated. Now wanted to win the -- make the play. And he really couldn't get the ball where -- and yet look at the lines were at the end pretty good so that's encouraging because I think. So it just obviously it looked just him in the area are just. But this guy's smart enough savvy enough he's got enough weapons to be really exciting."

[4:49]" He's already tied the major league record for the most strikeouts in the first three starts of his career with 24. Do you think the fact that he's been such a strikeout pitcher has surprised some people in Major League Baseball little bit."

[5:04]" I would say that I think that people expected. The maybe not at that level where he would strike that probably but. His stuff is -- usual in a different. In the week -- is so different that it not only surprised that he's doing as early. We will be really interesting is the second two lead in the third actively on the commercial what these justices -- Shall we have to do but -- leaguers smart and they will figure out away at the same time. As got Tony. This spring this in the kind of guy that you can't advance scout because he doesn't pitch according to -- he doesn't do anything predictably so. Watching his evolution will be fascinating thing"

[5:49]" it is so early in the season and I understand that can but when you look at the Red Sox. And the string of of quality starts that they put together here and right first part. Where where do you put them in terms of starting pitching the quality of starting pitching in the American league where do you rank them."

[6:06]" I would -- then. If not at the top probably up to -- And I like the angels in there in the angels of their rotation when everyone is healthy. Gained I would also certainly have the tigers in the expert that Roger right now. It was Leicester replaces Tavares that happen. And I think the -- specialty. Maybe the bat in effect it might be the best right now I'm not looking on paper very carefully obviously but three guys they have -- there's about a 12. And -- was pretty darn good."

[6:42]" Very good he's been he's been good all year. When you look at a guy like Mark early we were talking about this earlier this morning off the air. And as bad as he what has last year and he was pretty pedestrian. You know he still has the stuff to -- and -- like he did last night."

[6:59]" Right in the cutter working last night and you were deployed in the off season to get back to where he let her speak in general let -- in spring training. It's me early on a mission and part of that is the street agent era part of that is he wants. Like Tim Hudson Atlanta prove that last year wasn't the real or early and his first start you remember guys that ball off the form. That Ryan Garko or the Indians at that point in the third it start after that was its -- pitch well -- it is decisions and then that's. Of course got the no hitter with interest they've got a free agent market coming up is that guys are kind of come off the board Jake Westbrook signed extension. -- zambrano it expected society is. And -- going to be. I think the youngest free agent starter available and really the most attractive what and."

[7:53]" Why is that the the White Sox. Don't seem to want talk at any of their free agents."

[7:58]" Well they've talked with them and they've tried. But they're not going to negotiate after -- that was their policy and that's where there right now that's what it cut off. Now one of the reasons that it trade that they need softly to bring in. To bring it to its if Floyd. Duke and not because they wanted to get young they wanted to guard themselves against the escalating pitching market. And Mark Earley is getting 13 six to -- them out there actions that -- remote they don't want to -- they don't want to do so I can understand I think that's. Probably has more off. The Red Sox pitching deal they don't have any quite like -- to -- at the longest deal but he's -- so. They're careful and worried about extending themselves too Florence pitchers and early -- of question ability to gamble because --"

[8:55]" If switching gears a bit Kenny I -- you -- Baltimore. When that Nobel Peace Prize that recipient Albert belle. Was playing for the Orioles at I'm wondering if he ever challenge you to a fight as Charlie manual challenged Howard Eskin earlier this week."

[9:13]" Albert did not say much. Other than one date they've went to a row on the way to organize these these in a lot about it don't look at to a -- It's -- that it took a different. But night it was right -- way to count and he he mostly kept so it unusable. Comedy in Cleveland but the if you question. In this particular case I actually I withdraw it and."

[9:42]" Lotta people who know Howard Eskin why is that it."

[9:45]" What direct Howard Eskin -- radio host and in my opinions just I mean he is evidence. And I think he went there with an agenda and while this question was fine. He committed the cardinals and in my particular back -- this you don't become -- in once strongly that the in my office. -- took that -- Well -- was on his way to -- story -- certainly Charlie manual would wait to -- should never allowed Howard Eskin you know understand like that but. Again a lot of people who know western know of here. Certainly our. A little more forgiving of trying and another -- needs be said -- was close Larry about. And trying to it was replaced article so you talk about agendas about that kind of thing I think it's pretty sick there. That kind of stuff and again I heard it I was disappointed to try to match -- because drawn -- the that's what kind of thing you don't do that that it does it fire but the same damage that is on television last night in Philadelphia. If they fire trying manual because Howard Eskin that is worse than -- that."

[10:58]" It well that's true but will will they are no we talked about this last week -- that you you don't think it's and pat -- nature to make such a quick rash decision but I gonna stick with that."

[11:08]" Off the -- for now gillick you know of course Davis or conference yesterday. And it's a private often easy to identify people put up -- I think that appetite -- believe that the case I think they have it. And -- the did you prop up in made a move yesterday that. And Jon Lieber back rotation minors is arguably the best start. On the that is open issues of course but this was a desperation act to load up on. Going to be a problem but over the veteran -- that was in Washington and he's a guy. We'd all -- really crushed it. Marco because we don't like and so much. A part of the problem and not the solution but. I just don't think -- pat gillick be thinking rationally. Enjoyment as much in as when hitters as much to complain bullpen and is -- himself for opening the other a bad Apple."

[12:19]" It's funny 'cause we talked to Terry Francona about this yesterday this whole issue in course he's been in Philadelphia and knows Howard Eskin -- but. We talked about the broader issue he had Luke and LA and his blow up in Chicago you have Charlie manual already it's April for God's."

[12:33]" saturated. Dealt with that speak to me is the intense pressure of that job and Francona. Actually it definitely to his credit over the years I've seen him. Happy maybe once or twice and he's pretty good job. Maintaining his composure. Just keeping your poise in the states a lot of things now that Japanese perhaps have a job boards it's fresh pressure cooker like on the other. I've -- people change. When they get that job. People there -- great people lose their it's just. When he forced seven difficult game I think that is what is being reflected in the developing. Extremely different in the post it changed the culture as -- And annual -- Lou is I -- job but I think in both cases that the good analogy it speaks the pressure of the position"

[13:29]" is the pressure of the position going to extend to any of these general managers. And and perhaps they'll make a move a lot earlier than they want to a talk about a move. For another -- teams player not moving for example Brett Myers to it."

[13:54]" Game when you look at it. Right now at the trade deadline the team that we -- most likely will be -- Washington. Before Kansas City Pittsburgh. And after that they might have been to maybe Seattle maybe -- maybe not. So because of that it become extremely difficult to make kind of trade that. We customarily big deadline -- that is -- a -- player prospect that this kind of become more of a thing of the past. The trade that could happen kind of -- it could happen treated Diaw made a few years back when contenders traded among themselves the Nomar trade. That's an extremely difficult -- and effectively -- want."

[14:41]" You work a couple of days ago wrote something that I thought was a great point and it concern Roger Clemens and and where he might end up. And you pointed out the difficulties right now in New York in the injuries with their rotation -- the difficulties in Houston. And the point you may which I thought hit the nail on the head was the more a team needs Roger Clements the less likely he has to want to go there because he wants the win this year."

[15:07]" What you hear the people around where he cared about winning not money at this point much out of these were perfect world there. Taylor wrote that it was based approach it that premises true. Which -- yet oh and all the conveniences and culprit but that in the team's play the better to my surprise actually so. It's not decided yet and certainly next month it'll be achieved -- all these routines while but if he goes back. He becomes part of the rotation that is 33 he can really it. 40 really five with Wakefield. He talked about going into post season series. That needs the best situation now. Scored on media or -- they did in the last couple years irritation even if it right itself to these get. The playoffs as a problem will have a hard thing in the playoffs. And it eight they have I assume all will be held in the -- number one. I just thought it adapt and that's why me to let that get at this moment on this date make the most sense if it's priority. Is when."

[16:32]" think Roger Clemens this queries. The spotlight crave attention that it is is that why he's doing this and we have to wait until may or June this he would competitive next."

[16:42]" I think that's part of it I think particles little political it is which stand. It is page but I do think he loves being the man and he is the he has plenty of attention and people that was apartment I think about -- time after time. And it start to begin the year after. So yes I definitely think he and his agent like this kind of that they play."

[17:07]" We made the point earlier this week that with the rain outs in the way TO has had a Douglas is pitching rotation it has worked out perfectly if your Red Sox fan. No excuses this weekend with the Yankees in town because you've got the exact three pitchers do you want pitching against the Yankees if you don't do what it's your fault not theirs."

[17:26]" I would say that is definitely true. And hey at this point. I question their offense threat but not that I question. The bullpen leading up to -- on a bit as well quite a bit in boat case but. Starting pitchers were all starts and they are very solid and then there now. Does that sort stay healthy it would effective throughout the year I don't know that know that but. As we go into this series yes they aren't it is advantageous position to at least."

[17:58]" Can we always appreciate the time thank you for more than it up today and and adjusting to the Red Sox schedule will talk to next week. Ernie there thanks Ken Rosenthal from fox sports fox sports dot com he will be at Fenway Park this weekend as part of Fox's coverage of the Saturday Red Sox Yankees game and he'll be at Yankee stadium next week and as part of Fox's coverage"