Mailbag: Buzzes of Beantown

11/21/2005
Just a simple question for you. Why aren't the Red Sox looking at bringing back Tony Graffanino? They don't have anyone in the farm system who can play and produce like him, and there are no good second basemen in the free agent pool. I have coached for years, and the first and most important thing you do when building a team is to make sure you have a strong middle. Tony G. is the best man for the job. Let's sign him soon. -- Ed F., Bedford, N.H.
First of all, the Red Sox have yet to come out and say they aren't looking at bringing Graffanino back, so I think it's unfair to make that assumption right now. However, it might be logical to see what you have in Dustin Pedroia, who might be ready to be a fixture in the Major Leagues. My sense is that the Red Sox want to give Pedroia a chance to win the job, and bringing back Graffanino might make it tough for them to do that.
Do you think we ought to be confident that the Red Sox will do all they can to bring back Johnny Damon, or will they let this one get away, kind of like they let Pedro [Martinez] slip right through their grip? -- Michelle, Palestine, Texas
I'm sure the Red Sox will make a concerted effort to bring Damon back. The front office will set a pay structure for what they feel is fair, and probably won't go much beyond that. In other words, if there is a team out there that will break the bank for Damon, the Red Sox might have to swallow hard and let him go. You mention Pedro. I don't think the Red Sox let him slip right through their grip. They made a difficult decision that it wasn't in their best interest to give him a four-year deal, and the Mets were willing to take that risk.
Why is everyone worried about the Red Sox starting rotation? If Schilling is healthy (big if, I know), and [Jonathan] Papelbon makes the transition to the rotation, the rest of the staff is [Matt] Clement, [Bronson] Arroyo and [Tim] Wakefield, with several kids in the Minors developing really well. That would be fine by me! The team's attention should be on rebuilding the bullpen and filling some holes in the offense. -- Eric K., Hartford, Conn.
I think you answered your own question when you began your argument with an "if." The rotation could certainly be good if certain things break right, but there are no guarantees. I think the Red Sox will explore avenues to expand both the rotation and the bullpen because pitching was definitely their biggest weakness in 2005.
Could there be a possibility of being able to trade Manny Ramirez to Florida along with some Minor Leaguers for Carlos Delgado and Juan Pierre? It may be something to look at since Florida is wanting to unload again! -- Shaun B., Galveston, Ind.
I want to congratulate you on your very logical proposal. The trade would definitely fill holes from the Boston end, particularly if Damon leaves. Given that Ramirez lives in South Florida during the winter, you'd think that Miami would be high on his list of places to go. When the Red Sox hire a new general manager, you should forward your proposal!
Why isn't Carl Yastrzemski a part of the Red Sox? You very rarely see him at the park or at any functions. Does he have problems with the management? -- Dane S., Seekonk, Mass.
To the contrary, I think Yaz has actually become more involved since the new owners came in and made a concerted effort to include the alumni in club functions. Yaz has been around for special ceremonies and sits in the Legends Suite during certain games. The main reason you don't see him all that much is because he's a private person who doesn't necessarily want to be front and center. His true passion these days is fishing.
Will Mike Timlin get the nod as the Sox closer or will Keith Foulke come back? -- Elmer C., Calif.
No matter what happens with Foulke, I think that the Red Sox plan on moving Timlin back into his setup position, since he's one of the best in the game in that role.
Why didn't I hear anyone talking about Bill Mueller as a Gold Glove Award candidate this year? [Eric] Chavez had a great year, no doubt, as did A-Rod. But Mueller not only had a minimal number of errors (I believe 11), he also made extremely difficult plays look routine on a daily basis. I'm not saying he was the hands-down winner, but why was he not even mentioned in the running? -- Brian G., Bridgeport, Conn.
I could not agree with you more. Mueller had a wonderful year on defense, making so many spectacular plays and just about all the routine ones. I think the other guys are more well known, which is why they got more consideration. But I don't think any third baseman had a better year defensively than Mueller did in 2005.
Why not have Papelbon be the closer and give Foulke a year to rest after injury and not be the closer? I ask that because Papelbon was the closer at Mississippi, where he went to college. -- Dylan P., Shiloh, Ohio
It's not a bad point. However, when you have an arm as talented as Papelbon's, I think the inclination is to get 200 innings instead of 80. The hope is that Papelbon can make a bigger difference in the rotation than he would in the bullpen.

Source: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/