ESPN’s J.P. Ricciardi Impressed by Gutsy Red Sox

ESPN analyst and former Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi dropped by WEEI’s The Big Show on Thursday and said that the Red Sox are "doing it on guts" as they head toward the All-Star break.

The Red Sox have been banged up this season and Ricciardi, like most Red Sox fans, said he feels as though the Sox need the break to "regroup" before heading into the second half.

The Red Sox are currently without Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Manny Delcarmen, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Lowell, Jed Lowrie, Victor Martinez, Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek.

Meanwhile, first baseman Kevin Youkilis is day-to-day with a right ankle injury.

Ricciardi said that that Theo Epstein sees the big picture, though, and, with players coming back, he doesn’t expect the Red Sox' GM to take big risks in the trade market.

He also went on to say what is sure to be music to any Red Sox fan's ears.

"Even if they're four games out or five games out at the All-Star break, that's not that a lot. I think they’ve done an outstanding job," he said.