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Theo Epstein: Red Sox’ first choice to retain Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez 11.12.10 at 2:45 pm ET
By Alex Speier

Theo Epstein (AP)

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein discussed the shape of his team’s offseason as well as the upcoming General Managers meetings, which will take place next week in Orlando, Fla. Epstein touched on a number of subjects, among them the fact that the team’s first choice at both third base and catcher is to retain All-Star incumbents Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez.

“Our first choice for our third baseman in 2011 and beyond would be to bring back Adrian Beltre,” said Epstein. “Victor would certainly be our first choice to be our 2011 catcher and beyond. He did an outstanding job for us for the year and a half he was here. We’d certainly be comfortable with him coming back. We’ve been pursuing him – I know it’s been portrayed in the media a little bit as if we haven’t been pursuing him but that’s really between us and Victor and his agents – we absolutely want this guy back. He knows that and he’s known that for awhile. We’ll see if something can be worked out.

“Things happen in free agency. It always comes down to years and dollars in the end but there’s no lack of interest on the Red Sox’ end on Victor coming back. And I think certainly the same is true from the other end, I think Victor would love to be here. We’ll see what happens. To answer your question, he’d be our first choice at catcher and Adrian would be our first choice at third. Whether that can be worked out certainly remains to be seen.”

Epstein also discussed a number of other topics, among them:

–While he believes that the team is in position where it can return with its starting rotation intact, the Sox will still explore any available opportunities to improve the rotation “if there is an opportunity to acquire someone who can fundamentally impact our staff.” Still, he noted that it was a significant benefit to the Sox that they were not operating from a position of need with regards to acquiring starting pitching.

–He suggested that the team will acquire “at least one” reliever via trade or free agency. He also noted that the free agent class of non-closing relievers appears to be quite strong, though that can be a double-edged sword, since the wealth of available relievers means that there are a number of teams in search of replacing departing members of the bullpen.

–Epstein said that the potential that the club could get a number of compensatory draft picks “factors in a little bit” when trying to decide whether to sign Type A free agents who would require the sacrifice of a draft pick of its own, but that ultimately, the decision has to be made on its own merits as to whether a player was worth the sacrifice of a draft pick. Epstein noted that the team values its picks extremely highly, especially entering a 2011 draft that is expected to be incredibly deep.

“You never like to lose a pick even if you’re getting picks back,” said Epstein. “The ultimate decision is the player that you’re signing. … You want to gain as many picks as you can, especially in what is shaping up to be a terrific draft.”

–Epstein does not anticipate signing any free agents before clubs decide whether or not to offer them arbitration.

“We’re not particularly close to anything at this time,” he noted.

–While he made clear that he wants to retain Beltre, if the third baseman departs in free agency, the Sox are comfortable with Kevin Youkilis moving across the diamond from first to third base.

“If we were presented with scenario where we didn’t have Beltre and had to consider moving Youkilis across the diamond, we would be comfortable with that. It’s something we’ve had dialogue with him about over the years, including recently, and he sees himself as a third baseman even though he’s played more first base than third base in his major league career,” said Epstein. “He came up as a third baseman, I think he was underrated defensively at the time. While he has gotten older relative to playing a lot of third base in the minor leagues, he’s maintained a lot of the skills that are required to play the position. He’s got really good instincts over there, more than anything. He’s played that position more, by instinct than by pure athleticism he still maintains that, the ability to read hops and make plays. We’d be comfortable if we had to moving Youk over to third. He would do a fine job defensively and his offense would certainly be outstanding for that position.”

–On the subject of Youkilis, Epstein said that he is progressing well in his return from injury, and that by progressing in his rehab to the point where he was able to swing a bat, Youkilis “can show up to spring training without any real lingering concerns about the hand.”

–Dustin Pedroia is also healing well as he recovers from the pin in his broken left foot, and he will be seen by doctors around Dec. 1 to see how his rehab is rehabbing and whether he might be able to start running.

–Epstein described Jacoby Ellsbury as “asymptomatic,” even though he noted that a scan might not yet reveal 100 percent healing. Even so, the outfielder is currently at Athletes’ Performance, having commenced his offseason workout program, and Epstein said “there will be 100 percent healing.”

–Mike Cameron‘s healing “is going as scheduled as well,” Epstein said, as the outfielder recovers from surgery to repair a sports hernia. The Sox will have some of their doctors visit with Cameron next week in Georgia to check his progress.

Read More: Adrian Beltre, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • flag waiver

    V-Mart will be the Sox DH next year in replace of Big Papi. V-Mart is a must sign. Adrian Beltre is like the next Ted Williams. Oh can he hit the ball. Sign him quickly. Youk is getting older and injuries are popping up. Need a good starting pitcher and a good reliever. The bullpin was terrible last year. Changes need to be made. I hope Young can do some needed moving around. Sox need some speed, maybe Crawford is the answer I don’t know. Question is: Are the Sox going to spend???? There in a good position, they better spend or they are going to LOOSE fans.

  • Old Uncle Tater

    Yo Flag, the Sox fans are LOOSE enough… I hope we don’t LOSE any of them! LOL It’s a little early to crown Beltre the next Teddy Ballgame, but he has fit right in and I hope they can find a way to keep him. I wouldn’t have an issue with Youk at 3B, but then you have to find a 1B of the same ilk to take his place. Maybe VMart could help, but he’s not nearly the defender that Youk is. It is important to keep his very valuable lefty stick. I’m not sold on Salty as a full time catcher, but I could be him getting the back up job. I’d make a BIG run at Carl Crawford. It would be nice to add some more speed to the line up AND another lefty bat to boot. I’d love to see CC and Ellsbury patrolling the Bosox OF. There wouldn’t be many balls dropping out there. You are correct… the bullpen was awful last year. That needs to be a major priority as well.

  • HawaiianSox

    Yo yo Flag…V-Mart replacing Papi as DH? How do you figure? They just gave Papi $12.5 million. And what injuries are “popping up” with regard to Youk? He had a freak injury this year that had nothing to do with age or conditioning. The team definitely needs bullPEN help. I’m not sure what they can do about their bullpin. Maybe stick it somewhere?

  • Berney

    We need a catcher who can pick off 2nd base. how many times did VMart do that? He’s a good hitter so what do you do? Our bullpen should be #1 on the list. without some improvement there what’s the point? It would also be nice to trade DiceK for another starter. I thought they were looking at Buck from the Jay’s as a catcher possibility?

  • http://mlbtraderumors.com robert

    Martinez catches next year and or then transitions to DHing the following year. This gives us a “bridge” year to Martinez replacing Ortiz at DH and gives the Sox a year to find a catcher. This is particullarly brilliant because eventually you can save a roster spot by having your DH be your backup catcher. If the Sox can’t resign Beltre, Martinez plays first and it’s Buck at catcher until we eventually sign Gonzalez and Martinez to DH. Here’s a question: all other things being equal, do you want Youkilis and Beltre or Youkilis and Gonzalez? From this year I’d take Youkilis and Beltre, but who knows if Beltre can repeat his numbers. And as good as Gonzalez is, would his swing in Fenway (projected fifty plus homeruns) make him a must-sign?

  • Steve_in_MA

    Yeah, Theo, what percentage of the top 100 draft picks becomes an MLB regular? Less than 1 in 10. Picks are wonderful, hopeful things. But proven high-quality players are what we need. Bust open the wallet and trade away ALL of our damned picks. Do whatever it takes. But put together a winning, entertaining, MLB-quality line up. BoSox fans will not tolerate this half-assed crystal-ball “preserve the future” approach where we are sitting at home in October, for another season. You need a team capable of winning 100 games. Get to work.

  • http://HOTMAIL.COM BrianG

    I think V MART and Beltre are gone , they do not want to hurt the fan base by saying bye-bye.

  • Robert

    I agree with Steve. Enough with the over protection of draft picks and prospects. Open the vault and rebuild the team with a bounty of free agents this year. We are talking about proven major leaguers.Why aren’t they all over Koenerko. This guy would be good for five or six wins above last year.

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Chuck

    I see everyone’s points here, but personally I think its time to say goodbye to V-mart, and Beltre. Both are type A free agents, so we’d receive valuable first round picks from whoever they signed with. I love Vic but he can’t throw ANYONE out, and his defense is so-so. I don’t think his offense makes up for his defensive flaws. I think we’re better off going after Buck. He’s an upgrade defensively, and he’s got some pop in his bat. With Beltre it just worries me that his two best years ( by a longshot ) were on his walk years. I don’t think we’d see another year like last. I’d instead like to see us finally do what’s needed to get Adrian Gonzalez away from San Diego. He won’t come cheap, but he could be huge for us for years to come. I also love the prospect of Crawford joining Ellsbury in our outfield, but if he proves too expensive, Jeremy Werth would be a great option, and add solid offensive and defensive production.

  • Mickey Mantle

    I always check out WEEI / redsox.com when I can use a a good laugh. Every year “hope springs eternal”. Thats why baseball is life. This past year I did notice many Sox fans finally coming to the realization that the Sox ownership treats loyal Sox fans like dirt. For the highest ticket prices in baseball 9 of the last 10 years, they have their fans attend games in a slum of a ballpark, (aka “America’s most beloved ballpark”), trade / acquire scrap heap players (Brad Penney, John Smoltz, and John Lackey, just to name a few) and tell their fans that they are the second coming of Cy Young, etc. Meanwhile, John Henry laughs all the way to the bank. At least some of their fans are starting to see the light at the end of the “bridge to nowhere”. Its criminal how they treat their fans !! Like I have always said, Theo Epstein should take a year off and shadow Brian Cashman to see how a REAL GM operates. The Sox fans deserve better!! Winter well Sox fans….. with any luck, Henry and the rest of the Sox owners will sell the team and you will get owners that appreciate and reward your faithfulness and undying support. By the way, the Yanks don’t just “buy” players. On any given series this past season, the Yanks 25 man active roster had 12 to 13 “home growns” in the dug out, equaling or better than that of the team they were facing. The claim the Yanks “buy the title” is just one of many urban legends that are common.

  • jason bay

    Mickey Mantle your right on the money. That’s all you hear from Red sox fans” “the Yankees buy there championships. Yet you never seem to hear that from the Sox, who bought there titles with Manny and Schilling, were they not free agents. Just like all the free agents on there team now, Drew, Lackey, Cameron, Scutaro, Beltre. They are just a second class organization who wishes they were the Yankees. They will lose Beltre and V-Mart who will get at least four year deals from somebody and go to a real team

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Chuck

    @Mantle, I’m a diehard Sox fan, but I will say ur right on the monet about the ownership underappreciating us, and doing a pathetic job bringing in the talent we need, and CAN afford. Now Henry’s bought a soccer team!? Really makes me wonder where his head, and heart are. I’d kill for a new owner, someone who’s actually a Sox ( or at least baseball ) fan! ……….@Jason Bay, u I don’t agree with. Mantle sounds like an intelligent baseball fan whose favorite team is the yankees. You jus sound like another arrogent, ignorant yankee fan ( and yes the sox have ppl like you too ). I’m not one to criticize any team for its payroll, they earn the money, spend on good players! That said, all teams sign free agents…how are u gonna compare the sox signing Lackey, Cameron, and Scutaro to some of the Yanks recent F A signings? My point is that you were trashin ppl who hate the yanks for spendin money, and then u turn around and do the same thing about the Sox! Pretty hypocritical

  • djeter808

    You’re absolutely right, Mick. I can’t begin to tell you how I cringe to hear Sawks know-it-alls hold forth on how the Yankees “buy” their championships when all I ever pray for is a management just like the Yankees who will go out and get players when we need them. Last year a perfect example, why didn’t we get a reliever like Wood or an extra bat like Lance Berkman? But they quit on us instead.

    And now its bye to Vmart for Salty who? And Beltre will find a team that wants him more than Henry and his risk assessments/values. I wonder which 2nd ranked FA we wind up with this year? Jason Werth? Why not Carl Crawford or (gasp) Cliff Lee himself? Never happen here.

  • jason bay

    just remember you won two championships in 86 years that’s good enough for another 86 years as far as this ownership cares about.

  • Jeff Dearman

    Why can’t we have a team like the San Fransisco Giants who win world series titles!?

    I am sick of the management in this town. They win two titles in 10 yrs, and think the fans are satisfied and can play games for another two decades. They are wrong.

    They now have no interest in paying for Crawford, and just let Gonzo go.
    Watch Gonzalez end up on the yankees…surprise surprise?

    I am tired of them continuing to raise ticket prices, yet every year put a mediocre talented team on the field. If you went to a business or restaurant the first year, and they were stellar, but then say made some changes to the menu or the way they run things, and the business or restaurant quality went down hill after a few years, would you keep going to that business?

    It just doesnt make any sense. Does the management get it? Fans here want winners, consistent winners, not teams that take two decades to rebuild. The Red Sox I’m afraid are heading the way of the Bosoton Bruins.

    And quickly are becoming the 3rd team in town behind the Pats and Celtics.

    If the Bruins ever get hot, who knows maybe the once heavily followed Red Sox will be even less followed than the Bruins.

    The Red Sox management is similar to the Bruins management right now.
    They are only caring about putting fans in the seats, and ripping people off with high ticket prices and concessions, than winning a championship
    The Jacob Brothers do this with the Bruins and haven’t won a stanley cup since 1972. Do we want the Red Sox to go the way of the bruins and not win another title for 30+ yrs? All the while while they continue to jack up concessions and ticket prices?

    This is ridiculous.

    I say we should send a message to ownership that the fans are angry and not continue to sell out games, and stay away from fenway the next couple seasons until the management starts getting players that can win and not just be mediocre.

    Its time to stand up fans. They keep raising the prices yet put a low product on the field. Does anyone see anything wrong with this?>
    Its time to take a stand and boycott fenway.

  • Jeff Dearman

    Yet people continue to pack the ball park and watch mediocre team and are fine with paying $7.50 for a berr $4 for a hotdog and fork over their hard earned money for ever increasing ticket prices….You keep feeding the monster you know….this is what you get.

  • Jeff Dearman

    LOL Maybe Theo should sell the Red Sox to the Jacob Brothers :P they pretty much have told us they dont want to win another title for two or three decades :P

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