Before Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bobby Valentine said he would likely speak with Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington about trimming the roster on Friday.
Some will be demoted to the minors. Others will be told their time with the organization is through. It's a process that Valentine –– who hadn't managed in the majors in nearly a decade –– didn't miss during his absence.
"It's not so hard sending anyone down, the hard part is sending them home," Valentine said. "That's the toughest conversation, and I'm not sure we have any of them here, the 'There is no team to go on from here.'"
During his combined 15 years as Rangers and Mets manager, Valentine never remembered a moment when players would try to sway his opinion. But as a player, the Red Sox skipper has been on the other side of the chopping block.
For that reason, he intends to be as careful and caution as possible.
"It's an inexact science," Valentine said of the trimming the roster. "There’s a chance you're making the wrong decision when you're saying that. I usually let the GM say it — [formers Mets general manager] Steve [Phillips]. I'll let Ben have those conversations. I try to empathize too."
Valentine's job will be to slice the roster to a 25-man group before Opening Day.
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