Even with most of the roster set in early February, there are plenty of questions being asked throughout Red Sox Nation.
If Joe Mauer signs a long-term extension with the Twins, do you think the Red Sox will sign Victor Martinez to an extension this season?
–Kerry, Biddeford, Maine
I think they will. It seems to make sense. I think Victor Martinez likes it here and can thrive in this lineup. When he was acquired by the Red Sox last year, I had many of my friends in Cleveland tell me that this was going to be huge for Victor and that he could take his game to a whole new level in this atmosphere and on this stage. We will get the chance to see that over a full season this year.
That said, I think whatever extension the Red Sox offer will be for a term that is reasonable to their needs. Joe Mauer’s reported length is something that is reserved for that type situation. I always contended that if the Twins did not sign Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Kid, then they would never sign anybody ever to a long-term deal. He truly is the one guy that seemed to make sense for them. Previously, I thought Torii Hunter may have been that guy.
How do you think Mike Lowell feels heading to spring training?
–Eric, Piscataway, N.J.
Disappointed and maybe angry. I think he is in a similar situation to his first year in Boston. He came in fresh off his worst career offensive season. He was sent here as a salary dump by Florida, and the Red Sox got him really for the price of getting Josh Beckett. Lowell came in on a mission and thrived. He is now dealing with doubters once again. This time, his health is a concern, and hip surgery, of course, was major. I think he will be highly motivated to come in and be strong during the spring. I think he will be moved early in the spring, and whatever team Mike plays for will benefit from his strong motivation to prove that he is as good as ever.
It's tough to shake the fact that he was traded to Texas in a failed deal and that Adrian Beltre is now here. All of that said, there are very few players that are more professional than Mike Lowell. He realizes this is a business and will treat as such. Underneath, it hurts.
Where do you think David Ortiz will hit in the lineup? Does he have another 30-homer, 100-RBI year left in his bat?
–Tom, Belmont, Mass.
Down in the order again. Six seems reasonable. I think unless he starts on fire and is back to being the David Ortiz of old, his spot will be in that area. From where he started to where he ended up last year, I absolutely think he could return to a 30/100 season. I think his mind will be a huge factor. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders in 2009, and his lack of home runs in the first few months snowballed, and his confidence was at an all-time low. From what I hear, he is in the best shape of his Red Sox tenure coming into camp. I think he feels he has a lot to prove to a lot of the doubters. I fully expect a big bounceback season for Big Papi.
Why do veteran players continue to listen to Scott Boras? The agent has made some players very rich over the years, but the last few winters, Boras has lost more money than he’s made for guys at the tail end of their careers — e.g., Jason Varitek and Johnny Damon. Is there any explanation for this?
–Troy, Middletown, R.I.
This is a tough one. There is no doubt that over the past few seasons, he and others have misread the market. I think it is a product of our current economic climate spilling over into the business of baseball. Even if teams are not affected, they are hiding behind the fact that many businesses have been. I am sure a lot of agents feel there is some collusion taking place among the owners to keep spending down and control the cost of free agents today. The climate has changed, and Scott Boras’ approach has not. However, I cannot tell you how many players have told me that they feel better knowing that Boras is their agent. He has built that trust and has that previous track record that players fully buy into.
How is the RemDawg doing? Will he be back for the full season this year? You two make the best team in baseball.
–Travis, Nashville, Tenn.
Thanks. Yes, Jerry is doing very well and expects to be back for the entire season this year. He is currently vacationing in Aruba and is back in the full swing of prepping for another season. His health has been very good this offseason, and the rest has him ready to go. I am looking forward to our 10th season of working together.
