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Things we learned at the GMs’ meetings: Warning shots from Theo Epstein 11.17.10 at 7:43 am ET
By Rob Bradford

Jarrod Saltalamacchia could very well be the Red Sox' starting catcher next season, according to Sox GM Theo Epstein. (AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Let the offseason begin.

While talks with free agents and other teams had been percolating even before the general managers arrived at their annual get-together — this year taking place at the Waldorf Astoria — Tuesday seemed to supply a good amount of momentum in regard to this offseason’s hot stove. Face-to-face meetings incorporating all parties involved will do that.

There were names being thrown about as possible fits for the Red Sox (Justin Upton), potential free agent fits being taken off the board (John Buck) and lines in the sand already being drawn (see the Boston Globe’s report that the Sox won’t offer Adrian Beltre more than four years, $52 million).

We very well may look back on it all and find it hard to fathom how much reality ended up changing in a matter of weeks. But, there was one line from Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein that should be digested more than the endless stream of whispers circulating throughout the hotel’s hallways.

The quote in question came during Epstein’s meeting with the Boston media, in the midst of talking about the merits of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

“At some point you need to give a chance to young players, let them build value,” Epstein said. “[Saltalamacchia's] one of those guys. [Jed] Lowrie is potentially another, [Ryan] Kalish is potentially another. We’re not going to have high-profile solutions to all our needs. It’s good to have those alternatives that you can turn to and realize that maybe you’re taking an educated gamble but you’re also potentially building a lot of values in those guys, giving them an opportunity to put themselves into the core we’re developing.”

And with that, a warning shot was fired.

Epstein understands that his team’s impending dive into the free agent pool could be more treacherous than most years. The issue is that three of the team’s perceived targets, Victor Martinez, Carl Crawford and Beltre, will be coveted by numerous teams, and at least one of those organizations will surely take the price to a level the Sox won’t be comfortable with.

And even if the Red Sox do go the extra mile financially to lock up one of the big-ticket free agents, the likelihood is that the “high-profile solutions” won’t be making an appearance at numerous other positions. And, Tuesday, the focus on such a reality was placed firmly on the catching position.

Panic ensued among Red Sox fans when news came out that the No. 2 option in the free agent catching market, Buck, was headed to the Marlins on a three-year deal. (The reality was that the Sox had been wary of Buck due to his perceived cost and limited track record of success.)

With teams like Baltimore, Detroit and Texas all strongly rumored to be making a run at Martinez, the scenario regarding who might step up and be the Sox’ starting catcher appeared to be getting hazier by the moment. A year before, at the general managers’ meetings in Chicago, Epstein had declared that Martinez was going to be the team’s starting catcher. There was no such statement this time around, although one scenario was cast out.

Even with the unevenness that has plagued the 25-year-old throughout his young major league career, Saltalamacchia has shown the Red Sox enough that he is a viable option to take on the brunt of the workload behind the plate if need be.

“We’ll probably have a more experienced guy on the roster than him as well, but I think we’re comfortable with him in a role anywhere from a backup, to job-share, to everyday guy, depending on how the rest of the club shapes up,” Epstein explained.

“We like him. We liked him from a scouting standpoint, we took an opportunity to buy low after he’d been through a rough period and then he really impressed the staff, who really had no vested interest in him. He really opened some eyes, from the manager [Terry Francona] to Gary Tuck to the pitching coach, the way he handled pitchers, the way he threw, the way he conducted himself in the clubhouse. He was impressive to everybody.”

Starting in the big leagues isn’t anything new to Saltalamacchia; he had been ordained as the starter for the Rangers throughout a few different stints. And he has already transformed himself into the kind of defensive catcher many thought the Florida native couldn’t become, not only becoming one of the game’s best at blocking balls, but instantly demonstrating the fastest time throwing down to second base of any Red Sox catcher last season on his very first toss in a Sox uniform.

“I definitely believe he has the ability to be an everyday guy,” said Rangers GM Jon Daniels, the GM who traded Saltalamacchia to the Red Sox. “I’ve always felt that way. We just felt like he needed a change of scenery. Boston is probably a good fit for him. They’ve always liked him. They’ve had success with a variety of different guys behind the plate. Veteran pitching staff probably helps, vs. asking a young catcher to develop a young staff. I hope it works out for him.

“He’s going to work, there’s no question about that. And there’s not a question about the ability. I think in general, with the exception of the [Joe] Mauers and the [Brian] McCanns, it’s a tough position at a young age because there’s so much going on, and I think Salty had that. Plus, he had the weight of being a big name in a big trade [for Mark Teixeira], being called up to the big leagues out of Double-A in a pennant race; there was a lot going on in his life. It’s hard enough to catch and hit every day without having to deal with some of that stuff. Sometimes it doesn’t work out in certain spots. I would be surprised if it doesn’t work out for him.”

Along with the catching scenario presented by Epstein, here are some other things we learned on the first day of the general managers’ meetings:

THIS ISN’T YOUR FATHER’S DH

David Ortiz is still the best at his position, but the fact is that his position is dying. It’s a notion that more than a few general managers pointed out Tuesday.

“I think you would like to have flexibility,” said Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos, whose team has been linked to Manny Ramirez as a potential option as a full-time DH. “I really I think it started with Anaheim when Mike Scioscia used to rotate guys in. If you have the right guy who is an everyday DH you would certainly do it, but knowing that position, it’s going to have to be a pretty big bat. It depends on the composition of your team, and when you only have a DH it does impact your bench because you have a guy who can’t play a position.”

The Blue Jays were one of the few teams that actually went with a somewhat full-time DH, with Adam Lind getting 122 starts at the position. But Lind was just one of four players to man the spot more than 120 games, with Ortiz (136), Vladimir Guerrero (129) and Hideki Matsui (120) serving as the others.

While the Red Sox did pick up Ortiz’ $12.5 million option for 2011, the Rangers decided not to allocate the $9 million it would have cost to bring back Guerrero despite the DH hitting .306 with 25 homers and 106 RBI.

The thinking is that with a roster carrying aging position players, the DH spot serves as a built-in space for managers to give players respites while keeping their bats in the lineup. It is a philosophy that would have most likely ruled out Ortiz heading to the Yankees, with New York needing that spot to spell the likes of Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez and even Derek Jeter.

“For us, we would welcome having Vlad back. He’s kind of a unique guy. If it doesn’t work out we could get a guy who could rotate a guy in and keep everybody fresh and healthy,” Daniels said. “Plus, it gives the manager a flexible roster. It makes sense. If you’ve got one guy who’s a perfect fit then it’s a great scenario, too. It worked out for us last year. But it also gives the manager an option, when a guy is good enough to play, maybe not 100 percent, and there’s a day game after a night game, get him out of the heat, things of that nature. It’s something we’ve looked at.”

BEANE: YOUNG THE PERFECT FIT

One of John Farrell‘s greatest achievements while serving as the pitching coach for the Red Sox was his ability to harness perhaps the most eclectic pitching staff in the history of baseball during his very first season, in 2007.

Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett and the youthful Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz all made up a group with very few similarities. Yet, when it was all said and done, the concoction resulted in a world championship. And a large part of the credit for the hurlers’ successes rightfully went to Farrell.

Now, it’s Curt Young‘s turn.

While the group he is inheriting might have a few more traits in common than the one from ’07, it is a staff that will present diverse challenges. That, according to Oakland general manager Billy Beane, shouldn’t be a problem for Young.

“The one thing about Curt and why it’s a great fit in Boston is all the pitchers like working with him. He has a great relationship with the guys. He has a velvet glove, and pitchers are like thoroughbreds a little bit,” said Beane, who appointed Young as the A’s pitching coach in 2004.

“He’s been there, and he’s been successful as a guy who wasn’t necessarily a power guy. He’s incredibly patient. Every pitcher who works with him feels like he has confidence in him. Similar to [St. Louis pitching coach] Dave Duncan, but in a different way. With Dave, he’s incredibly protective of him, and Curt is the same way with a different style. He feels like every guy he has is going to get better.

“If you’re going to introduce a guy to a staff like that, he’s the guy. I guarantee all those guys will like him. It’s not easy going into a situation like that, but he’s the perfect personality. It’s a good fit.”

LOOKING AT LACKEY FROM AFAR

The Angels wanted John Lackey back last offseason, having seen how he embraced residing at the top of their rotation for the previous seven seasons.

But Lackey would choose to switch coasts, landing with the Red Sox, for whom he went 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA, allowing a career-high 233 hits. While some Sox fans might have expected more eye-opening results for a pitcher in whom their team invested five years and $82.5 million, Angels general manager Tony Reagins saw a similar pitcher to the one he was trying to lure back to the Halos last offseason.

“It didn’t surprise me. I think he pitched with the same fire that he did when he was with our organization,” Reagins said. “He’s a good pitcher. I think he needed to make some adjustments to being in a new location and being with a new club and having new teammates. I think he’s going to have better years as he gets more comfortable on the East Coast.”

Read More: curt young, David Ortiz, gm meetings, jarrod saltalamacchia Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Jim

    If the Sox don’t sign two of these four, VMart, Beltre, Crawford and Werth, it’s difficult seeing them being a lock to make the playoffs next year.

    With the advent of the one inning only reliever, half the roster is pitchers, leaving no bench if the DH can’t play in the field. Another reason not to trade for Prince Fielder.

  • mike

    This ownership group along with theo are still trying to get us all to but that the sox are small market, low payroll type of team. This team was a snooze-fest last year and a non-factor. Barring multiple big signings and or trades who is gonna be watching this team??????????

  • Mark

    Um….It seems like everyone is forgetting we will be getting back healthy perinneal All-Star players, Gold-glovers and oh-yeah…a former MVP next year in Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youklis and Jacoby Ellsbury.

    Patch-up the bullpen, sign one of the big free-agents, and this team will win the AL East next year.

  • mike

    sox win al east with patched up bullpen and one of, werth, crawford, martinez or beltre in their line-up? where do i sign up for that bet? they need beltre and martinez back, along with a werth or a crawford, or a trade for adrian gonzalez and a patched up bullpen to even get in the al east division title conversation. especially if the yankees sign cliff lee.

  • Sue

    Warning shot – well put, Rob Bradford. Ah yes, “reading between the lines with Theo.” Here we go again “Oh, Saltalamacchia isn’t so bad” and “Hey, remember Ryan Kalish?” and “Don’t forget Jed Lowrie!” Let’s not get too excited kids….it sounds like everyone so far wants waaaaaaayyyyy too many years. And that’s when the talks usually end.

  • Babe Ruth

    Hey mark three of your best players are coming off major injuries. MVP that was a joke in itself probably the worst year of any winner in the history of the award. Robinson Cano’s year this year blows his year away and he won’t come close to winning the award. Patch up the bullpen? how about blow it up. One of the worst in baseball.
    No wonder the Sox can charge the highest ticket prices in the majors, there fans are the dumbest. This will be another bridge year, the bridge to nowhere

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... greg

    Agree 100% I’m hoping its Upton

  • Opinions are like A…..

    It is amazing how 2 people can look at 1 team, and 1 sees a doormat, the other sees a division champ….

    Lets not go over board Babe Ruth. The Sox finished 8 games behind the Yanks last year. Papelbon blew 8 saves. I wasnt able to watch the Sox that close last year, but if Papelbon had pitched like he usually does, and Youkilis/Ellsbury/Pedroia didnt miss 300 games I would be willing to bet that they could have changed the outcome of atleast 8 games…..

    As far as MVP, he got a lot of votes that year, I dont think the voters all conspired to vote for Pedroia, just hitting home runs isnt enough to make you an MVP. The voting speaks for itself, you are just hating on him because he plays for the Sox. You would be making the opposite argument if Cano and Pedroia switched teams

    Dont tell me, you also think Jeter deserved the Gold Glove this year…

  • Babe Ruth

    no scutaro does. Who said its just home runs. He didn’t drive in any runs. Please don’t compare Cano to Pedroia they are not in the same league. Cano hits for average, power and drives in runs and is the best fielder in baseball at his position

  • Mainesox

    I would rather have Salty, Kalish, and Lowrie for 2011, than being tied to Werth, Beltre, and Vmart for 5 years. If Theo is really serious about giving these 3 players a real chance I like it. When the Yankees won during the nineties they did it with homegrown talent, not mercenaries. Note the term, mercenaries.
    For whatever it’s worth,
    Werth is 31 and has had 2 good years. Want to lock him up for 5 years?
    Beltre is famous for his contract years and then the dropoff. Want to lock him up for 5 years?
    Vmart is not a god catcher, period. He’s average at first. Possibly a DH in a few years. Want to lock him up for 5 years?
    No, no, and no.
    Crawford is a decent bet and would be the only big free agent I would consider for 5 years. I would like to see the Sox give Kalish the chance, he’s a real good looking player.

  • Opinions are like A…..

    Hahahaha, ok Babe Ruth, lets look at the numbers, Pedroia during his MVP year, vs Cano last year, and see where it stacks up

    Pedroia Cano Advantage
    118 Runs 103 Pedroia
    213 Hits 200 Pedroia
    54 2B 41 Pedroia
    2 3B 3 Cano
    17 HR 29 Cano
    83 RBI 109 Cano
    20 Steals 3 Pedroia
    50 Walks 57 Cano
    52 K 77 Pedroia
    .326 Avg .319 Pedroia
    .992 Fielding % .996 Cano

    .990 Career Field% .985 Pedroia
    That last argument was because you said that Cano is the best at his position. The reality is, that Cano has a fielding percentage of .984 e very year of his career, until this year. He had one spectacular year, and you think that makes him the best at his position?

    To my bigger point, that “there is more to it than just home runs”, if you look at the power numbers (HR / RBI), Cano wins easy head to head. But when you look at everything else (getting hits, stealing bases, scoring runs, etc) Pedroia compares favorably. My point is, you think Pedroia’s MVP season was a joke, and yet, his MVP season was just as good as Cano had this year. If Cano’s numbers were good enough for MVP, you cant argue against Pedroia. You can argue which of the 2 of them should have been MVP, that is a great argument, but you cant say Pedroia wasnt worthy, while saying Cano was worthy….as far as I can see, Cano’s year certainly didnt “..blow his year away..”

  • HoleinOne

    Theo seems confused and overmatched when signing or trading for experienced players. He goes out and overpays for Drew, Lugo, Lackey, etc. or waits too long and is forced to scramble for Beltre, etc. On most teams that don’t have the Sox payroll he would be more accountable for moves.

  • Jeremy

    Theo is hands down the most overrated GM in pro sports history. If the Sox do not sign a big name free agent to excite the fans and help win more games I am out for good! Theo spins this BS of young and low rent players all the time. Please fire Theo and get us a real team.

  • Jeremy

    Cheapskate Epsstein!!! I can not take this clown any longer. It takes great players to win when you are up against the Yankees you stooge.

  • Babe Ruth

    Wow!!! I guess being stupid is one thing but your blind too. The stats that you put up clearly shows Cano with a huge edge. Better offensively and defensively. You can split hairs all day but Cano is by far the better player and had a better year and he won’t win the MVP. Look at Pedroia’s winning year against anybody in the history of the award and he had the worst year of anybody in history in both leagues. That’s a fact you can try to spin it any way you want. 17 homers and 83 RBI’s its laughable the 8th place hitter on the yankees had better stats. Oh i forgot stats don’t mean anything in Boston

  • ash

    Actually…

    Pedroia’s WAR was 6.6 wins in 2008, Cano was 6.4 this year. Pedroia is a fantastic fielder. His UZR is better than Cano’s (about 10 points better when comparing “MVP” years). He’s just a better all around player at the current moment.

    Pedroia did win the MVP due to a weak year and probably wouldn’t have won it any other year; however, this year clearly belongs to Josh Hamilton.

    Cano is an excellent player; but Pedroia is no slouch and has been just as good, if not better, than Cano. Besides, if Pedroia didn’t end up getting hurt, he would’ve topped 20+ HRs.

    Y’all need to relax. This year could not have been any worse and we still won 89 games. We’ll grab the Wild Card next year and, as long as we get into the dance, we’ve got a shot.

  • Mike

    Babe Ruth………..best to let people think your an ass, then to open your mouth and prove it. Name calling is so immature and unnecessary

  • Opinions are like A…

    Babe, what are you talking about. My original post said there is more to it than homeruns. You just said offensively Cano kills Pedroia???? Are you serious? Pedroia was better than Cano in all of these categories: Runs, Hits, Doubles, Avg, Steals, Strikeouts…. The only thing Cano has that Pedroia doesnt, is power. back to my original point, it isnt just about Power. If Pedroia played 81 games at Yankee Stadium he would have 27 home runs too, LMFAO.

    Cano is the best second baseman in baseball, I wont argue that, I dont think too many people would. You are missing the point. Pedroia’s numbers are all better than Cano’s, with the exception of RBI, and Homeruns. That is it. Plus, you are arguing that Pedroia didnt deserve the MVP the year he won it. How can you punish Pedroia for the rest of the league having a down year?

    I listed 11 Offensive categories, and Pedroia beat Cano 6-5, how can you say that Pedroia isnt even close to Cano in skill when he leads Cano in every category that isnt related to power.

    I will say it again, since you are a moron, Pedroia’s MVP year was a weak MVP, but all of the voters thought he earned it, compared to the rest of the league, in that particular year, so how can you question that????

  • Opinions are like A…

    Lets not forget that batting 5th in the order helps the RBI numbers a little bit… But it is pointless to argue with you about this, you have made up your mind, Pedroia is a below average player, who somehow made all the writers vote for him for MVP, and Cano is gods gift to baseball. Maybe Cano should have had a better year in 2008 and he could have been the “weakest” MVP ever….lol

  • Babe Ruth

    Let there careers play out and we will see who the better player is. You still haven’t commented on the fact it was the worst year of any MVP ever!!! If anybody should have won it it should have been Youk. And as far as Pedroia he is a terrific ballplayer he comes to play every night. One of the best in baseball. Batting fifth does help, playing in that bandbox fenway helps him with the wall too. in Yankee staduim those would be fly ball outs. You can argue any point Cano hits more homers because of left field in yankee staduim

  • Dano

    If the Sox ended up with Upton this would be a great move as he is just hitting his prime and he can do it all.

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