Epstein 'answers' some questions right away here:
Quote:
Theo Epstein and Terry Francona just did a 40-minute autopsy on the season. The highlights:
• Epstein said he expects John Farrell to be back as pitching coach. When Cleveland asked for permission to speak to Farrell about their managerial vacancy, Farrell told Epstein his desire was to stay in Boston. This might be the most significant development of the day.
• Houston asked to speak with first base coach Tim Bogar and bench coach Brad Mills about their managerial opening and were given permission. There is a large field for that job. It's also not a great job given the impatience of owner Drayton McLane.
• Epstein said it was safe to "pencil in" Clay Buchholz for the 2010 rotation.
• They want Tim Wakefield back and the expectation is he would make "some" starts. Wakefield's surgery is expected to be later this week.
• Victor Martinez is the catcher, period. As Epstein said, that was the expectation when they traded for him. "He's about as good as it gets," the GM said. As for Jason Varitek, discussions will be held.
• Epstein termed the Jason Bay negotiations unusual in that the team wants the player back and the player wants to come back, yet no deal has been reached. The Red Sox could well make a deal before Bay enters the market. But history suggests that any player who gets this close to free agency usually takes the opportunity. It's difficult to get a gauge of your worth until there's a market for it. Given the lack of depth in the market, Bay could drive his price up.
• Epstein said that 2010 could be the last chance for the core players to "make a run" before significant changes are made. While the Sox do not have many MLB-ready players in AAA, they have prospects who could be ready by 2011.
• Epstein said it was possible that Alex Gonzalez could be back at shortstop. But he spoke highly of Jed Lowrie and the need not to lose faith in young players. Still, as Epstein said, Lowie has yet to prove he can stay healthy in the majors.
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It seems like dramatic changes are not in store. He seems to want Wakefield in a spot-starting role with Buchholz in the rotation. I do not think a Beckett deal is out of the question, but I think Epstein likes his chances with a current rotation of Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Buchholz, and another signing. Lowrie will get another shot at shortstop if he is healthy, but I still can see a guy getting brought in who can play both of the left-infield positions (a la Chone Figgins) to rest Lowell and Lowrie while Youkilis and Martinez do 1B. Martinez being our premiere catcher is a bit scary, as I think he lends himself to being a 1B moreso.
Theo is being realistic. Ortiz and Lowell's contracts are immovable. The free agency market is very thin and Bay will command obscene money. I feel like 2010 and 2011 will be rebuilding years. 2010 will be the last hurrah for Beckett, Lowell, Varitek, Ortiz, and Drew. Then, in the 2010 offseason when over $40m comes off the books, Epstein can pick and choose what he wants to do in free agency. I think this team will still compete with a few tweaks, but a trade is never out of the question. It's time to reload but there isn't a lot of bullets on the table.