TruFan Red Sox Webcast: Episode 18 by Jared Carrabis
Guests: Mikey Adams (WEEI), Matt O'Donnell (Fenway West), Randy Booth (Over the Monster) Lisa Latino (Yankee Princess)


February 4, 2010:

Padres can’t afford Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez’s agent, John Boggs, told told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the San Diego Padres can’tt afford his client.

Padres owner, Jeff Moorad:
"I think the fairest description of our point of view is that we continue to be committed to doing what's best for the long-term interest of the organization. As a result, no player is untouchable. And while we're mindful of players' individual popularity, we won’t put one player ahead of the long-term interests of the club."

Gonzalez: $4.75 million (2010), $5.5 million (2011 club option)

Padres team payroll:
· 2005: $63.3 million (82-80, won NL West, swept in NLDS)
· 2006: $69.9 million (88-74, won NL West, lost in NLDS in 4 games)
· 2007: $58.1 million (89-74, third place after losing one-game playoff to Rockies)
· 2008: $73.7 million (highest payroll in franchise history, 63-99, last place)
· 2009: $43.7 million (75-87, fourth place)
· Have committed $30,125,000 to 2010 roster
· Currently have just $600,000 on the books for 2011 (Jon Garland), but six players will be eligible for arbitration. (Most notably: Heath Bell, Scott Hairston)

If Padres can’t afford Gonzalez, he will ultimately be traded, but when?
· Jed Hoyer can make a deal any time before July 2011.
· Padres will hold out for best offer, if that means waiting until 2011.

Notable subtractions from Padres organization:
· Jake Peavy
· Trevor Hoffman
· Kevin Kouzmanoff
· Brian Giles (still a free agent)

Manny Ramirez contemplated return to AL

Manny Ramirez "seriously considered opting out of his contract to return to the American League for a designated-hitter role," reports MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.
· Complained that playing the outfield wore down his legs.
· Wanted to return to the AL to become a full-time DH, but realized that no team would come remotely close to the $20 million that he was guaranteed from the Dodgers by picking up his option.

Career as a DH: 294 games, .313/.413/.572, 69 HR, 228 RBI

2010 Red Sox bullpen

Second best bullpen ERA in the American League in 2009 (3.80)
· Not nearly as close to 1st place (3.54, Oakland) as they were to 3rd place (3.83, Seattle)
· However, Boston pen only logged 479 innings, compared to Oakland: (559.1 innings)
· Red Sox starting pitching went deeper into games than most teams.

Red Sox bullpen only lost two members.
· Takashi Saito signs with Braves.
· Billy Wagner signs with Braves.

A majority of teams only carry seven relievers.
· Jonathan Papelbon – closer
· Daniel Bard – first full season as setup man
· Hideki Okajima – seventh/eighth inning guy
· Ramon Ramirez – seventh/eighth inning guy
· Manny Delcarmen
· Boof Bonser rumored to be valued as the bullpen’s long man if he has a strong spring.
· Where does Wakefield fit in? Fifth starter? Spot start/long relief? Start season on DL?

Potential candidates for last bullpen spot up for grabs:
· Scott Atchison – RHP
· Fabio Castro – LHP
· Ramon A. Ramirez – RHP
· Dustin Richardson* Peter Abraham of Boston.com, “Richardson is a giant (6-6, 225 pounds) lefty who has come through the farm system. He had a breakthrough 2009 season after converting to the bullpen. If the decision is made to keep a second lefty, he could be the choice.”
Other obscure relievers: Kason Gabbard, Fernando Cabrera, Devern Hansack, Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Jorge Sosa, Michael Bowden.

Nomar to retire?

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, “Nomar Garciaparra is the other remaining free agent; it's widely expected that he will retire, and while he has not announced that, he has not been linked to any teams this offseason.”
· If Nomar were to retire, he would leave the game at the age of 36.
· Career numbers: .313/.361/.521, 229 HR, 936 RBI, .968 fielding% at SS
· 1997 Rookie of the Year, two batting titles, 7-time All Star, top 10 in MVP five times.

According to @BaseballGuys on Twitter, "Since 1980, with a minimum of 3,000 at bats, Nomar Garciaparra twelfth in batting average (.313) among all players in baseball."

Nine years with Boston: .323/.370/.553, 178 HR, 690 RBI.
Postseason: 32 games, .321/.386/.589, 7 HR, 24 RBI

Sully’s Brand Trivia

Nomar Garciaparra won the batting title in back-to-back seasons in 1999 and 2000. Who was the last person before Nomar to have won back-to-back batting titles in the American League?

Answer: Wade Boggs (won four straight batting titles with Boston)
1988 -- .366
1987 -- .363
1986 -- .357
1985 -- .368

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Published on February 04, 2010

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