Despite plunging temperatures and another vicious onslaught of snow on the horizon, the thoughts of spring became more realistic Monday night as baseball took center stage with the 2011 Red Sox Town Hall.
Indeed, the Red Sox have made plenty of noise this offseason. The inaugural event, held at the WGBH studios in Brighton, gave fans an opportunity to do the same by firing questions at Boston brass.
With less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, the excitement was evident. It was not just limited to the fans, however.
"We put together a team where we have lofty goals," said manager Terry Francona. "It’s an exciting time for us."
The bevy of high-profile additions such as Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez has everyone charged up for 2011. Francona, joined on stage by general manager Theo Epstein, chairman Tom Werner and president/CEO Larry Lucchino, stressed that the expectations will not mean a thing if the club doesn’t do its job on the field.
Part of that process involves the many injured players returning to form. Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron each had their seasons cut short. Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka had their share of physical issues. Gonzalez is working his way back from right shoulder surgery.
General manager Theo Epstein said that the injured players are all "ahead of schedule." He added that reports that Pedroia has some soreness are not a concern as it is in a different part of the foot, a result of being immobilized for an extended period of time. Francona indicated that Pedroia might have to sit out some running drills early on in Fort Myers, but that’s about it.
As for Gonzalez, his timetable could even be moved up.
"He’s right on schedule, if not ahead of schedule," Epstein said of his new first baseman, adding that Gonzalez’s target of swinging a bat by the end of February could be altered. Gonzalez could be in spring training games by the second or third week of March.
The injury-plagued 2010 campaign, and its early finish, has only heightened the excitement for some.
"We couldn’t be more excited about 2011," Lucchino said. "The injury bug hit us more than we expected [last year]. It just makes us hungrier. We’ve been in the postseason six of the last eight years. We’re pumped about this season. We feel we have a terrific squad."
Several other on-field issues were explored, among them the back end of the bullpen. Francona responded to one inquiry as to whether Daniel Bard could serve as the closer this year or next.
"Sometimes it goes a little unnoticed just how important that guy is," Francona said of setup relievers. "Sometimes games are won or lost before you get to the ninth inning."
Epstein chimed in to say that closer Jonathan Papelbon, rumored to be on the trading block at one time or another this winter, has "something to prove" and figures to be part of a shutdown trio along with Bard and newcomer Bobby Jenks.
"We’re lucky to have three guys, at least three guys, that are capable of closing," Epstein said.
The panel was asked about the three prospects given up for Gonzalez in the trade with San Diego, and where that leaves the farm system. Essentially, the talent at the minor league level was such that the Red Sox beat everyone else to the slugger.
"There weren’t too many people in baseball that had the talent ready to make that trade," Epstein said.
The losses of Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and Reymond Fuentes likely leaves outfielder Ryan Kalish as the system’s top prospect, with shortstop Jose Iglesias on his heels. Epstein reiterated his desire to have Kalish play some more at the Triple-A level, but insisted that the 23-year-old will have his time soon.
"He’s gonna be a good one," the GM said.
The Town Hall coincides with a series of speaking tours in every New England state, which have been occurring in recent weeks. It's all part of the organization's commitment to its connection with the fans.
Part of what can make that relationship even better in 2011 is the culmination of a 10-year, $285 million renovation of Fenway Park. While plans to bring in the walls of the bullpens have been put on ice ("We’ve been asked to go back and think about ways to improve the bullpens without affecting the bullpens," Lucchino said), there will be several shiny new additions on Opening Day, among them three HD video boards in center field, each loaded with new information.
"It’s been money well spent," Lucchino said.
The same could be said for Crawford, Gonzalez and Jenks, the three biggest names in the offseason overhaul.
Epstein said the winter went about as well as he could have hoped.
"This is pretty darn close," Epstein said when asked by host Tom Caron if he achieved plan A. "It worked out well. We had some unique challenges. We were looking to get better but at the same time two of our best players were hitting free agency. … Being able to acquire two of the best players in the game both entering their age-29 season, I think was a good way to replace those guys and get at least younger and more dynamic going forward as an organization."
Lucchino added: "We’re still feeling the jolt of energy that came with it."
There were some light moments when video of Epstein and Francona’s introductory press conferences were played and the GM-manager partnership had a chance to reflect.
Citing an increase in the number of gray hairs, Epstein said he "wouldn’t trade it for anything" and expressed pride in living up to the promise of building a "scouting and player development machine."
Epstein, of course, grew up in the area and knew what he was getting himself into. For Francona, that all came as a bit of a shock. Still, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
"I was a little naïve," Francona said of the charged atmosphere in Boston. "I had no idea. Now that I do live here, I understand how important it is to these lunatics. If you care about baseball, there’s no other place to be."
Of course, as winter keeps on coming, there are other places some of us would like to be. One of those places is Fort Myers, where scenes of players throwing a baseball in the sun will soon serve as our prize for a grueling winter in New England.
"There should be some reward that comes in the early part of the spring or late part of the winter to allow us to get through them up here," Lucchino said. "There’s something in the DNA in Boston and New England that says baseball is special. It is essential to us. … We want to follow it. We want to know what’s happening."
That reward arrives in just under two weeks.
