Dale Sveum interviewed with the Red Sox for a second time today, and the team expects to bring in at least one more managerial finalist for a second interview. However, it's still a mystery who that finalist will be. Pete Mackanin has been told he's no longer in the running, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (on Twitter), and Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com tweets that Sandy Alomar Jr. and Gene Lamont hadn't heard anything from the team about a second interview as of this evening. Torey Lovullo rounded out Boston's original five interviewees, but Larry Lucchino said tonight that the Sox could "absolutely" expand their search, tweets Rob Bradford of WEEI.
While we wait to see where Boston's hunt for Terry Francona's replacement takes them, let's check out a few more AL East links….
- The Red Sox are keeping tabs on free agent shortstops, according to the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman. Silverman hears the Sox have checked in on everyone from Jose Reyes to Ronny Cedeno.
- Rays GM Andrew Friedman expects to receive plenty of inquiries on his starting pitchers, but tells Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times not to count on a trade.
- The Orioles hope to sign a few free agents to fill out their bench within the next week or so, GM Dan Duquette told MASN's Roch Kubatko.
- In a mailbag, MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm answered Blue Jays-related questions, many of which revolved around the team's hunt for a closer.
It’s really weird that 95% of the Jays news has been about a player who will give them 60 innings this year..
Starting pitching, 2B, LF, back up catcher, all more important issues to address.
Also they are releasing their new (old) jerseys/logo on Friday. cant wait
You lost me at backup catcher. Not really more important than relievers.
if the jays had absolutely no bullpen I would agree with you
but finding an upgrade over janssen is not really more important then a guy who is going to play defense and offense for about 60 games.
A backup catchers not more important than a closer. At the moment they have no 2B and no closer. Both are areas that need to be addressed.
A SP is something that would be nice to help push them over the hump but not dire.
LF and backup catcher can easily be done internally or last minute trade or FA.
Being a fan of both the Rockies and Blue Jays, I can honestly say that I am stoked for tomorrow as well…eager to find out what they look like…and how soon I’ll be able to get one…:)
The Red Sox should hire Charlie Sheen.
A true winner.
Obviously. The Red Sox need that tiger blood and 2nd personality in the club house.
Only if Lenny Dykstra is his bench coach.
Im pretty sure there would be alot more then chicken and beer in the club house to worry about after that hiring. Hookers and Blow anyone!?
After a thorough search, where most candidates were signed by OTHER teams, because the Sox dragged their feet, it will be announced that the new manager will be none other than Larry Lucchino. He wanted his hand in everything from the beginning and craves absolute power, so the Sox are giving him his wish. As manager, if he doesn’t put his skills where his mouth is, he will be fired. Now that would be a headline I would love to see printed in major tabloids. lol. Lucchino fired as Red Sox manager, because he was only a legend in his own mind. lol.
The Orioles hope to sign a few free agents to fill out their bench within the next week or so, GM Dan Duquette told MASN’s Roch K.
What annoys me to no end, the Orioles never divulge their budget for each season
Lets see what they have to do
1st Base isn’t locked up by Mark Reynolds yet, but for arguments sake, lets call him the starter. Right now there’s no back-up and that’s a problem. The Orioles haven’t given any indication as to what their true plans are so it’s up in the air
2nd Base I love Andino, but the O’s aren’t in love with him completely. They want him to be a poor man’s Michael Young. I think he has enough in the tank to be an everday player. Thats me though, again they have no real back-up. Adams can hit, but he doesn’t have the range Andino does. Plus they have Brian Roberts… ugh!
SS JJ Hardy, no back up
3rd Base Full of Question Marks
RF Nick is penciled in everday
CF Adam Jones ditto
LF Question Mark
Catcher Super Wieters! After him… Mystery Player
Ok Dan Duquette start earning your salary, can’t wait to see what you have in store.
As long as they are not former Cubs, that will be a good a start to your regime!
I assume you don’t think Roberts will be able to play a full season next year.
I think it’s right for the Orioles not to divulge their budget. It’s none of my (or your) damn business. The only thing gained from doing so is to let other teams (and agents) know in advance how much you’re planning on spending in player salaries, and that’s not smart business.
Maybe, I should have rephrased the budget comment. What I should have said, the Orioles never ever give the impression that they want to spend the “Proper” amount to get good all around players. They always want to gamble on a 1000 to 1 shot (literally no chance) someone like Duchsherer comes to mind to fill the many voids on the Orioles. As for Brian Roberts, yes it’s a shame what has happened to him the past few years. The problem even when healthy, he never even gave the impression he was going to last two weeks into the season, much less the whole entire year. Andy Mac chucked and ducked on that deal. I am not impressed at all on how they have handled the situation.
PS Bench Filler isn’t going to help this team! They need to upgrade once and for all. Otherwise it’s just rearranging the chairs on the “Titantic” time again!
Not divulging payroll to the press is one of the best things they do… they can do what they think is right without anyone wondering why they aren’t spending to a some specific number they set. Less pressure on the GM to suck up to the crowd so he can just do his job
You forgot to mention one small thing. Duquette said that Chris Davis will be the third baseman. I know this sounds stupid, but isn’t Davis the first baseman and Reynolds is a third baseman. Why would they switch positions. Does Duquette know something that the rest of the universe isn’t aware of? lol.
If they are really looking at shortstop, Lowrie or Youk is heading out of town on a trade. Why are they looking at shortstop, crazy. The infatuation with that position has killed the Sox over the years. Never can make a good decision and now when they do with Marco, they want another one.
It’s probably due diligence. Lowrie’s injury history and inconsistent play means we need a backup. If we were to sign a shortstop, Scutaro could become the backup and Iglesias could become trade bait.
Mind you, I’d prefer to just use Scutaro as the starter and give Iglesias another year to learn how to draw an occasional walk. I don’t care if he can hit is way out of a paper bag, as long as he can get on base once a game.
Sternberg : We’re not getting a 7 million dollar closer
Maddon : Matt Garza will not be traded this offseason
Friedman : Dont count on a trade.
I’ve been saying for 14 years now that the O’s could compete if they’d just fill out their bench.
With all due respect, I think you are undercutting the position the Orioles find themselves in terms of pitching. Even if they were able to find a group of solid role players they would still have no starter that is above a middle of the rotation type. It is crucial, in the Al East, to have at least a couple guys that can go out there and throw solid games consistently or else there won’t be much competing.
/s
What does this mean?
It means you missed the joke. You probably shouldn’t be taking Rabbitov’s remark particularly seriously.