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Main page March 19, 2008
Youkilis speaksRed Sox player rep Kevin Youkilis spoke just a little while ago about today's events, concerning the compensation for the coaching staff. He said an allotment of money has now been set aside for the 15 Red Sox personnel in question, including coaches, training staff and clubhouse attendants. Youkilis didn't point any fingers, he just said there was a lot of miscommunication on behalf of Major League Baseball, MLBPA and the Red Sox on this matter. It was resolved early yesterday afternoon and now the Red Sox just boarded a bus to the airport for their trip to Japan.
Unity was a big theme at City of Palms Park today. “We have a lot of different personality and a lot of different players from around the world, but the one thing we have is unity on this team,” said Youkilis. “We stick together and we try to set our personal differences for the good of the team, and that’s what we did [yesterday].”
Posted by Joe McDonald Sox assign Colon to minor-league campBartolo Colon was one of three players -- infielders Keith Ginter and Joe Thurston were the others -- assigned to the minor-league camp by the Red Sox after the game today. That would seem to ensure Colon will at least start the season in the minor leagues, probably at Pawtucket. Two players on Boston’s major-league roster, right-hander Josh Beckett and left-hander Craig Breslow, remain in Florida and did not make the trip to Japan.
Posted by Art Martone More photos from a crazy day at the Fort
Posted by Mike McDermott Red Sox will go to JapanFORT MYERS, Fla. -- A resolution has been reached between the Red Sox players, Major League Baseball and MLBPA in regards to the compensation for the coaching staff. As a result the team will travel to Japan. Red Sox player rep Kevin Youkilis will address the situation later this afternoon and we'll have more as it becomes available. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Joe McDonald Indications are Sox are satisfied with settlementBY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There's no official word as to the substance of the agreement that got the Red Sox back on the field today, but, before the game, both Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek -- speaking separately, nearly an hour apart -- were adamant that the Sox would not play unless the coaches were compensated by Major League Baseball at the same level as the players for the trip to Japan. The fact that they're playing the game would indicate they're satisfied with whatever settlement was reached.
Posted by Art Martone Game is on; 1:10 p.m. startFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox just announced today's game will be played. It will start at 1:10 p.m. and David Aardsma will pitch. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Here come the SoxFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Sox have just emerged from the dugout with bats and gloves, and are starting to stretch. So now the tea leaves look as if they'll play today . . . and perhaps the issue has been resolved. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Police and security take the fieldFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Six Fort Myers police officers, along with stadium security, are now surrounding the warning track at the perimeter of the dugouts, so an announcement may be imminent. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Still waiting . . .FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Reporters have been removed from the field, so there's no immediate news to be had. The Sox are still in their clubhouse. We've passed the 12:30 p.m. deadline when the team announced players would be signing autographs for the fans if they weren't playing the game.
Posted by Art Martone More on VaritekFORT MYERS, Fla. -- More on the conversation Red Sox captain Jason Varitek had with reporters earlier . . . ''We have to make a stand because that’s part of our unit,'' said Varitek. "It isn’t just players, it’s staff members, too.'' Are you going to Japan? "We’ll see, don’t know yet,'' said Varitek. On playing today? "It all depends on how long [MLB] will wait,'' said Varitek. "It depends on how quickly we get a decision and depends on a lot of things. [Toronto] may be ready to go home. There are a lot of different factors, but the first factor is, and we hate to put [Toronto] in jeopardy and the fans, but in our viewpoint this is a needed thing." When asked if the Blue Jays understood the Sox' position, Varitek said, "My understanding is they do." -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Joe McDonald Sox race out of dugout into clubhouseFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox players who had been in the dugout, chatting and signing autographs as they waited for a resolution of today's controversy, have just raced into the clubhouse, leaving the dugout empty. More in a moment . . .
Posted by Art Martone Announcement of delay; Matsuzaka sent to minor-league camp to pitchFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox just made an announcement over the PA system here at City of Palms Ballpark, telling fans that the start of today's game -- scheduled for 12:05 -- will be delayed "because of a dispute between Red Sox players and the Major League Players Assoctiation and Major League Baseball." Predictably, that was met with a chorus of boos from the fans, who were unaware of the dispute which arose this morning. The Sox have announced that if the game doesn't start by 12:30, the players will be available to sign autographs for the the fans in attendance. Subsequently, the Sox made a decision to send starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka down the street to the minor-league complex on Edison Ave. and pitch in a minor-league game against the Minnesota Twins. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Varitek: Sox will not play until MLB straightens out issue; trip to Japan is up in the airFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jason Varitek just said the Red Sox are not going to play today's game until "MLB gets this straightened out." When asked if the club would be going to Japan, he replied: "We'll wait and see." -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Start of game is delayedFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox have not taken the field for the start of today's exhibition game against the Blue Jays, meaning the -- at the very least -- the first pitch will be delayed. -- JOE McDONALD and SEAN McADAM
Posted by Art Martone Pedroia and Crisp are sprinting; a sign the game will be played?FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon just emerged from the Red Sox clubhouse and walked over to the Toronto dugout to speak to Vernon Wells. When he returned, he told reporters: "I can't say anything right now." Dustin Pedroia and Coco Crisp have started to sprint, which could indicate the Sox are going to play the game. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone No confirmation of report Sox are threatening to boycott trip to JapanFORT MYERS, Fla. -- We just talked to Mike Lowell, who said he couldn't speak to the media at the moment because the team was still meeting. He said he would have more information ASAP. Boston media are reporting that the Sox are threatening to boycott the trip to Japan, but that cannot be confirmed at this point. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Photos: Tension on and around the field in Fort Myers
Posted by Mike McDermott Multimedia: Sean McAdam talks about the controversy on coaches' payClick the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded today from Fort Myers.
Posted by Mike McDermott Schilling's take on trip controversyBy SEAN McADAM and JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Curt Schilling just spoke with reporters minutes ago about the players' stance to boycott today's game unless the Sox and Oakland A's coaches are paid for their particpation. "Some of the things that have been promised to us have already been taken away,'' said Schilling. "From the players' standpoint, we all felt the same way. This can't happen.'' Schilling recalled a phone call last October that involved Red Sox veteran players and Major League Baseball. "They (MLB) wanted this trip to happen so badly, a lot of promises were made and they're falling by the wayside time and again,'' said Schilling. "(The coaches being paid) is something we were adamant about at the time and we've reiterated it multiple times.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Coaches' reactionBy SEAN McADAM and JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As the Red Sox came off the field from batting practice this morning, several coaches expressed their appreciation for the players' decision to boycott today's game unless Major League Baseball addresses the issue of coaches' compensation on the Japan trip. "It means a lot,'' said hitting coach Dave Magadan, who was unaware until this morning that the coaches weren't getting the same $40,000 payment that the players are due. "It's nice to get some recognition from the players.'' "Anytime there's this sign of support,'' added pitching coach John Farrell, "it's a reflection of how (the players) view the situation and understand that it's a combined effort, for whatever task we face -- whether it's preparing for an opponent or something like this. It's a recognition of the relationships that are built (between players and the staff). It's the reason we were able to face so many challenges last year because there's a feeling of unity. It's very much appreciated.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Red Sox threaten to boycott today's game unless coaches' pay addressedBy JOE McDONALD
The controversy arose Tuesday morning when manager Terry Francona found out that the coaching staffs from both Boston and Oakland would not be paid the extra $40,000 that the players and managers will get for traveling to Japan. There has been a lot of confusion between Major League Baseball and MLBPA in the last 24 hours, and Francona is still waiting for answers. “I was promised some answers yesterday and I didn’t receive them,” said the manager. “We’re trying to get ready to play a game and I spent the morning apologizing to the coaches and being humiliated. The players are pretty adamant that something be done. “This is a touchy situation for me,” added Francona. “It’s a big deal. I don’t appreciate that coaches are [viewed as] second-class citizens. That has never sat well with me. We’re over there representing Major League Baseball, and we’ve talked about doing it with class, but this is disheartening. This is hard to understand. We were told [they would be paid] and the players believed it to. I double-checked on this this winter. This isn’t something I take for granted.” Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein said his teammates would understand if the Red Sox did not take the field. "They have to do what they have to do. They are one [united] team," Eckstein said. Francona said he is embarrassed by the entire situation. The Red Sox players are, too. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff in this game, but this is unbelievable,” said Red Sox player rep Kevin Youkilis prior to the team meeting this morning. “It was brought to my attention (Tuesday) and it was something I thought would never even be a problem. To have this as a problem is embarrassing. For what these coaches do for baseball, I mean, the players play but in order to have order and run these teams, they put all the hardest work in. They deserve as much as much as the players. . . For them not to be getting paid for this trip is a disgrace. It’s a disgrace to the game.” No matter if the issue is resolved before the team leaves this afternoon, Youkilis said the coaches will be taken care of internally by the players. “But for Major League Baseball not to step up . . . this is unbelievable,” added Youkilis. “It’s wrong. We all get a per diem and all that, but I thought we were all under the same thing.” Youkilis is also under the impression that when the Yankees and Rays made a similar trip to Japan to start the 2004 season, players voted on who would be compensated and he believes everyone was, including the coaching staffs. “This time around it’s not like that,” he said. “We didn’t know that, so for us it’s very tough. We had meetings about going over there, and obviously [MLB] is not living up to their word. I don’t know who exactly is not living up to their words, but the players’ association can’t intervene in matters like this.” The MLBPA does not represent coaches other than pensions and postseason compensation. Youkilis talked to the players this morning. If MLB doesn’t settle the situation, then the players would take care of it in house. “This isn’t a good thing,” he said. “We’re going to Japan and we don’t want to deal with all of this. We’ll make it work because we have great players.”
Posted by Joe McDonald Baseball Today: Wednesday, March 19
PENNY FOOLISH: While you'd think that the billions of dollars in revenue that Major League Baseball generates annually would be enough for everyone to share, that's not the case. Joe McDonald and Sean McAdam report today that the Boston and Oakland coaches -- like pitching coach John Farrell (above) -- will not be receiving the $40,000 stipend that managers and players are getting for making the trip to Japan. The $300,000 it would cost to write checks to the coaches is like you or I having to write a $5 check, yet MLB has chosen to draw the line on the lowest-paid group of people who wear uniforms at the major-league level. Everything is relative, of course -- this isn't a life-and-death, real-world matter, since the coaches are well-compensated in relation to the general public -- but that's no reason for them not to be able to share in the booty . . . especially since the $50,000 would be a significant chunk of their season's salary (unlike the players, who'll barely notice the extra cash). "The only reaction I have is one of bewilderment,'' said Brad Mills, the Red Sox bench coach. I can think of a different reaction. LET'S GET IT OVER WITH: David Ortiz admits he's not happy about the trip to Japan, but says he's determined not to let it affect his performance. (Boston Globe) WE'RE GOING: Even though they've been battling injuries, Coco Crisp and Bobby Kielty will accompany the Sox to Japan. Jon Lester, however, won't be joining them until Saturday. McDonald has both reports. HERE AND THERE Other nuggets from McDonald: Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima both received the Ted Williams World Series Award last night . . . The PawSox will once again be part of Futures at Fenway, with this year's game slated for Aug. 9. ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL: Terry Francona knows the physical toll that lies ahead, but says he can't help it; managing the Red Sox is an all-consuming task that affects his health. (Boston Herald) NOT SO FAST: The Giants selected Jose Capellan from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft last winter, but decided he wouldn't make their team. However, when they placed him on waivers to return him to Boston, Capellan was claimed by the Reds (mlb.com) even though, according to the story, "The Red Sox value Capellan and would like very much to have him back in their fold." IF ONLY HE COULD STILL PLAY: Newsday's Neil Best provides a highlights wrap of a YES Network discussion show hosted by Don Mattingly. The most interesting nugget to me was Mattingly's description of Tony Clark as "a total leader . . . He will stand up, he will say what needs to be said, he’s not afraid to speak up, he does the right thing; this guy’s a leader.'' That's what we heard about Clark during his season with the Red Sox, as well. If he hit as well with Boston or New York as he had earlier in his career with the Tigers, he might still be with either club. UPS AND DOWNS: As part of an interview he gave to the blog Brock For Broglio, Voros McCracken discusses his time in the Red Sox front office. JUST TRYIN' TO CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF THE THING: I know the news of Craig Hansen's demotion is a day old, but if Steve Silva is going to re-post his classic Hansen Brothers photoshop then I'm going to link to it. (Boston Dirt Dogs) NOT THAT CUCKOO FOR COCO: Toward the ends of a notes column, FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal says the A's remain interested in Coco Crisp but won't "break up their emerging young core program to acquire one player.'' LOOKING GOOD . . . EVENTUALLY: No one expects much this season out of the A's. But scout.com says Oakland's long-range outlook is bright. TIP OF THE HAT: The Yankees deserve all the credit they're receiving for their exhibition game yesterday at Virginia Tech, which may help ease the healing after a deranged gunman killed 32 people on campus last spring. (New York Post) FOR THIS, WE SET ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES: Two long-time Red Sox fans -- Virginia Tech baseball coach Pete Hughes, a Boston native who also coached at Boston College, and Theresa Walsh, a student in one of the classrooms under fire last year -- look at the Yankees a little differently today. (New York Daily News) Hughes also told of a text message he received from Terry Francona before the game: "Good luck. Pound Jeter inside. Go get 'em." IF I CAN CAST ASIDE THE CLOAK OF MODESTY FOR JUST AN INSTANT: Johnny Damon tells the Boston Herald he still thinks he's a ''pretty tough person to replace.'' HALL OF FAME OWNER: Reggie Jackson thinks George Steinbrenner deserves a spot in Cooperstown. (Newsday) BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR . . . Peter Abraham lists the 10 types of people he hates to sit near at the ballpark. Anyone who's ever been to a game can relate. (LoHud Yankees Blog) HE DOESN'T PLAY FOR US: MLB has sent a cease-and-desist order to a Web site offering T-shirts touting the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama that were designed to look like baseball teams' uniforms. (thesmokinggun.com) LET THE INVESTIGATION BEGIN: The Major League Baseball Players Association plans to examine if collusion charges should be filed over the fact that no one's signed Barry Bonds. (New York Post) Collusion conspiracists will have a field day with the answer A's assistant GM David Forst gave when asked why Oakland wasn't interested in Bonds, since he would seem to fill a very specific need for the A's. (espn.com) (NOTE: After I wrote that piece, I found that Baseball Musing's David Pinto agrees with me.) Bonds himself says he has no intention of retiring and would be willing to sign a contact in midseason. (mlb.com) ANOTHER CASE? St. Petersburg Times columnist John Romano admits Evan Longoria is ready for the major leagues, but says the Rays should send him back to Triple-A anyway, even if only for a month, so he won't reach free agency until 2014, rather than hitting it in 2013 as he will if he sticks with the team on Opening Day. That could be seen as a form of collusion as well, and the MLBPA may fight it. The Tampa Tribune also thinks Longoria will open the year at Durham. BESIDES, HE'S THE EARLY FAVORITE FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: That's what FoxSports.com's Dayn Perry thinks. Perry also believes "[as] strange as it sounds, it's time to take the Tampa Bay Rays seriously.'' SORRY, MARK: I have a friend who planned to make Josh Hamilton his sleeper pick in his upcoming fantasy draft, and he was upset I linked to a sportsline.com story last week in which a scout expressed the opinion that Hamilton might be the best player in baseball. But, judging by the report in Jon Heyman's Inside Scoop, it looks like the secret is out. (SI.com) MOVE OVER, YANKEES-RAYS, HERE COMES BREWERS-ANGELS: The long-simmering spring feud between Milwaukee and Los Angeles of Anaheim -- while not spilling over to the players on the field -- shows no signs of abating. (Los Angeles Times) NO RELIEF: The Tigers may have a devastating lineup and strong starting pitching, but their depleted bullpen hardly looks championship caliber. (SI.com) OH: A Japanese doctor explains Ichiro Suzuki's secret for success: "Ichiro has a very fine prefrontal cortex." (Seattle Times) THE QUEST CONTINUES: Scout.com is the latest site to try and figure out if spring numbers actually mean anything. WELCOME TO THE BLOGOSPHERE: The newest member is Diamondbacks director of player development A.J. Hinch. I've always admired Hinch for his honesty in addressing baseball's steroids problem in Howard Bryant's excellent book Juicing The Game; you can read the excerpt regarding Hinch here. (espn.com) WHO SAYS THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A GYROBALL? The Rangers C.J. Wilson says there is, and he plans to start throwing it. (sports.aol.com) LOCAL BOY: The "gentlemanly" Chris Iannetta -- that's a direct quote from the story -- has been showing more fire in the Rockies' camp, at the team's urging, and the Rox still think he may develop into "a special player." (Denver Post) HERE AND THERE: The Reds are looking for a catcher (Cincinnati Enquirer) . . . The Cubs plan to drop Alfonso Soriano to the No. 2 spot in the batting order (yahoo.com) . . . Orlando Hernandez' first spring appearances, in a simulated game against minor-leaguers, featured "neither high velocity nor pinpoint location nor great results" (New York Post) . . . Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez thinks Dan Uggla is starting to build a Hall of Fame resume (Miami Herald) . . . A broken fingernail has forced A.J. Burnett to come up with a changeup since the injury is preventing him from throwing his curve (Toronto Star) . . . The Orioles' new closer is George Sherrill. (Baltimore Sun) OLD FRIENDS: Stop us if you've heard this before: Eric Gagne surrendered a run on three hits in one inning yesterday and has an 11.25 ERA so far this spring for the Brewers (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . Wilfredo Ledezma has only allowed one run in eight innings as he fights for a spot in the Padres' rotation (rotoworld.com) . . . Lenny DiNardo may be headed to Oakland's bullpen (rotoworld.com) . . . Andy Marte's chances of sticking with the Indians are being hampered because, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "he seems to have forgotten how to play third base.'' -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone |
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