News
Inbox: Time to lock up V-Mart?
Beat reporter Ian Browne answers Red Sox fans' questions
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
02/08/10 2:00 PM EST
With Joe Mauer potentially signing a big extension with the Twins, are the Red Sox more inclined to lock up Victor Martinez?-- Dan A., Merrimac, Mass.
The obvious answer would be yes. But I think the issue is deeper than that. The Red Sox will get a chance to evaluate Martinez for a full season in 2010 and see how he holds up to the rigors of being a full-time catcher. Is that his future? Or is Martinez nearing the point where he will transition to first base/designated hitter?
Depending on how next winter evolves, Martinez could possibly come back as the first baseman, with Kevin Youkilis moving to third in 2011. Or the Sox could lock him up long-term as their catcher. It's too early to know how this will transpire until they have the evaluation time that will be in front of them this year. Of course, with Martinez eligible for free agency, it could also come down to what he wants. Is it crucial for him to stay in the catcher's role?
Do you think Jason Varitek being in a backup role will positively impact his hitting numbers this year? The past few years, his numbers seem to decline as the season goes on.
-- Jason C., Charlotte, N.C.
To me, that is going to be a fascinating aspect of this season. We've never had the chance to see a Varitek who hasn't gotten beaten up over the course of a long season. Though his role was reduced for the latter portion of 2009, the damage had already been done, as several parts of Varitek's body were beaten up badly from the first four months of the season. Look for manager Terry Francona to get Varitek a lot of at-bats against lefties in '10. The switch-hitter has been much more dangerous from the right side the past few years.
Which Minor League players are you most excited to watch at Spring Training?
-- Nick S., Lee, Mass.
The two guys I look forward to seeing most are Casey Kelly and Jose Iglesias. Kelly is the most touted starting pitching prospect the Sox have had in a while. It will be fun to see how he stacks up against Major League hitters in exhibition games. And Iglesias is supposed to a spectacular defender. It will be interesting to see what type of hitter he evolves into. Without question, watching the young guys is one of the most enjoyable parts of Spring Training. I remember watching Daniel Bard throw a 100-mph heater by Pudge Rodriguez last spring.
With all the talk of Bard being the "heir" to the closer role, is it a foregone conclusion in the Red Sox organization that Jonathan Papelbon will not be their closer of the future, perhaps as soon as his arbitration years are over?
-- Zach S., Grand Forks, N.D.
A lot of it could depend on how Papelbon pitches the next couple of years. If he performs like he did from 2006-08, I'm sure the Red Sox would at least broach the idea of trying to sign him to an extension. Papelbon has said a number of times he would love to stay in Boston, but he has also acknowledged the business side of things could prevent that. If you ask me what my prediction is right now, I'd say that Papelbon will probably wind up somewhere else by '12, when he is first eligible to be a free agent.
He has talked a number of times about how he would like to set standards for closers, both from a numbers standpoint on the field and from a financial standpoint. The Red Sox probably think they could get better overall value for their team by not breaking the bank for a closer.
|
Have a question about the Red Sox?
 E-mail your query to MLB.com Red Sox beat reporter Ian Browne for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content.
|
||||||||
Barring a trade or Big Papi having a better year than he had last year, the Sox are in need of a bopper for next year. Is this finally the year J.D. Drew has the season that Theo Epstein and the fans envisioned?
-- Kevin J., Buffalo
Drew is 34 years old, and he has hit 30 homers once in a season and driven in 100 runs once and been an All-Star once. I don't think that it is common that a guy is going to all of a sudden break out at 34. While fans obviously expect certain things from Drew because of his high contract figure, I think that Epstein and the front office have, for the most part, gotten what they wanted out of Drew. He gets on base all the time, has a knack for getting big hits (see 2007 and '08 postseason) and plays a highly underrated right field. The main thing the Red Sox look for from Drew is for him to stay on the field.
Do you think the Sox will use Tim Wakefield in a middle-relief spot instead of starting pitcher?
-- Linda C., Weymouth, Mass.
There could be very short stints in the season when Wakefield is available out of the bullpen, but the team still views him as a starter. Last year, Wakefield made 21 starts and pitched 129 2/3 innings. I think the Red Sox would be happy to get that out of him again this year. Perhaps the best way to characterize Wakefield at this stage of his career is that he is a "part-time" starter. A fierce competitor, Wakefield still has the desire to make 33 starts and pitch 200 innings. We will find out if that is realistic or not. Wakefield will be 44 in August and has missed parts of the past four seasons with injuries. As always though, the Red Sox know they will get some clutch performances from him in 2010.
With all the "bargain bin" pickups in the bullpen, how do you think those will play out for Francona? What do you see from the bullpen as this year: top-notch?
-- Ethan L., Chattanooga, Tenn.
The bullpen was the one area of the club that didn't get any major upgrades this winter. There is already a strong core intact in Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Bard and Ramon Ramirez. But there are questions. Will Manny Delcarmen rediscover his form after a bad second-half slide? Who will emerge out of the group of low-cost acquisitions from this winter? One pitcher who could work his way into becoming a force in that 'pen is Boof Bonser, who also gives the club depth in the rotation if need be.
Last year, Rocco Baldelli hit for Drew when a lefty was pitching for the other team. It seems like the Red Sox aren't going to re-sign Baldelli. What is the club going to do about Drew hitting against lefties?
-- Anton L., Milton, Mass.
Bill Hall will be the guy the Sox use off the bench against a lot of lefties this year. Hall can play the infield and the outfield, so he should get his share of at-bats. After a 2009 season full of struggles, Hall hopes he can get back to being the type of hitter he was in the past.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
