The hiring of Valentine is a major departure from the type of men who have managed the team in the past 10-plus years. Terry Francona, Grady Little and Jimy Williams were all relatively quiet men who would rather poke themselves in the eye than say something against the team or a player. You'd have to go back to Kevin Kennedy to find a manager who enjoyed the give-and-take with the media as much as Valentine.
Valentine will have plenty to do, trying to make a contender out of a team that hasn't won a postseason game in three years. He'll also have plenty to answer to when he takes the podium, and had better be ready for questions about what went wrong with the Mets when he was at the helm 10 years ago, and why he said some of the things he said about the Red Sox (do you still think he'll be complaining wildly about the pace of game when Josh Beckett pitches?).
We won't know until next summer whether or not Valentine is the right guy to get this team going in the right direction again, but we won't have to wait that long to see that he'll be the most entertaining manager we've had around here in a long, long time. A quick glance at NESN around 5:30 p.m. will undoubtedly tell you that.
Lots of questions, so let's open up the e-mailbag.
Hey. With Bobby Valentine as the new manager, where do the Sox go from now? Will they look to make a big splash this offseason, and sign someone like C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle, or will they try and snatch Gio Gonzalez from the A's or Matt Garza from the Cubs? Also, will they try and deal Youk and prospects for an Andre Ethier, because it seems he and Dustin Pedroia have a strong relationship? Or will they or go for a low-priced free agent like Edwin Jackson?
–Jack Delaney, McKinney, Texas
I think Matt Garza would be the perfect addition. There have been reports that Theo Epstein would make him available, so why not throw a few prospects at the Cubs to get Garza (and call the deal the compensation for the GM's move to the midwest). Garza is tested in the AL East and has had success against the Sox' biggest foes. He would be a great add to a rotation that has Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz returning.
With starting pitchers on the scarce side, why don't the Sox stretch out Daniel Bard, and put him in the rotation?
–Paul Crowley, Hulls Cove, Maine
It's a good question; one Bobby Valentine will have to answer. Peter Gammons has long said that Bard's value to this team might ultimately be as a starter, but with Jonathan Papelbon gone you'd be further weakening a bullpen that needs more late-inning help, not less. They may move Bard to the rotation, but for now I'd rather see them make the move with Alfredo Aceves.
Hi TC, If Starting pitching is the Red Sox' biggest need, why not give Bard and Aceves a chance? And if Bard has an innings max for the year, he can return to the pen when Dice K comes back. I believe multiple relievers will be a better option than one starting pitcher in this market. What do you think about signing both Heath Bell and Brad Lidge instead of a starter?
–David Palozej
I think at least one of Bard or Aceves will be a starter, and right now it makes more sense for that guy to be Aceves. But the Sox still would need another starting pitcher, which is why we're hearing names like Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt.
I also think the Sox will add arms to the pen, even if they give the closer's job to Bard. Names like David Aardsma, Francisco Cordero and Ryan Madson are all guys who could add significant depth to the pen, even if Bard is the man pitching the ninth inning.
If Papi leaves and Youk is the DH, Who will be the Sox' third baseman. Would it be Jed Lowrie or would they look outside the organization?
–Larry T., Fall River, Mass.
There's no getting around the fact that Jed Lowrie has serious questions surrounding his durability. He only played 88 games this season — and that was a career high. If Ortiz were to leave, moving Kevin Youkilis to DH (at least some of the time) would make a lot of sense. It would allow the team to add a right-handed bat to third base, balancing out a lineup that has become too left-handed in the eyes of many. Aramis Ramirez, who opted out of the Cubs' team option, could be an intriguing addition in this scenario. He has had his own injury issues, and he'll turn 34 next season. He's right handed, and put up an OPS of .870 or better in seven of the last eight seasons, hitting 25 homers in all but one of those eight seasons. The problem could be the length of the contract he's looking for. Some reports say he wants four years — the Sox will not give him that.
Just a thought how about letting Ortiz go, moving Youkilis into a DH role and occasional third or first fill-in. Get the two draft picks and pick up Ramirez from the Cubs to play third, and now we'd have more right-handed pop.
–Roger, Largo
Glad we agree.
Sorry for my English. I would like to know why we should pay a full-time DH? I think it was Texas, they used five or six different players who played DH on the "off day" from their fielding position and they got very good numbers combined.
–Matthias Brumm, Duisburg/Germany
Your English is fine. Truth is, not many teams use a "full-time" DH now. Most rotate several players through that spot, giving them a bit of rest while still keeping them in the lineup. If Ortiz were to leave, the Sox could rotate Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and others through the DH, making the lineup more left-handed or right-handed depending on the pitching matchup.
TC, How are REDSOX fans supposed to welcome Valentine with open arms after listening to his constant NEGATIVITY toward the REDSOX during ESPN broadcasts?
–Steve, Elkton, Fla.
It's a question I'll ask Valentine when he joins us in studio tonight. The BIGGER question, perhaps, is WHY DO YOU WRITE IN CAPITALS SO OFTEN? If it's intended to get my attention and get your question in print, then CONGRATULATIONS. It WORKED.
