Full Count
A Furiously Updated Red Sox Blog
WEEI.com Blog Network
RSS
Dustin Pedroia thinks Jacoby Ellsbury is ‘here to win,’ not worried about contract 02.12.13 at 9:47 am ET
By Mike Petraglia

Dustin Pedroia

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In the wake of the awful 2012 season, Dustin Pedroia has no worries about the mindset of his teammates, including one that is set to become a free agent after this season.

Pedroia believes Jacoby Ellsbury will be completely focused on the Red Sox this season. That didn’t stop reporters from asking him if he’s at all concerned about Ellsbury’s commitment.

“No, he’s here to win,” Pedroia said. “I don’t think he’s showing up today worried about getting a contract extension or anything like that. He’s going to show up to help us win a ball game.

“He’s very important. We all know what he can do when he’s healthy. He’s had some bad-luck injuries, last year and a few years back. You all saw what he did the year in between that and it’s pretty special.”

(Click here to listen to Pedroia address reporters Tuesday morning in Fort Myers.)

Pedroia was, of course, referring to 2011, when Ellsbury batted .321 with 32 homers and 105 RBIs and finished second to Justin Verlander for AL MVP.

As for another teammate, Stephen Drew, Pedroia is looking forward to working with his new double-play partner. Pedroia, when he was at Arizona State, played against Drew when the shortstop was at Florida State.

“A little bit, yeah,” Pedroia said when asked how much he knows him. “He’ll be fine. He’s a great player. He’s got a lot of talent. Played against him in college and played with J.D. [Drew] for five years so I was always asking J.D. how he’s doing. So, we’ll have a great relationship. It’ll be fun.”

The funniest moment of the session came when Pedroia was asked if he heard about the $100,000 the Red Sox reportedly spent two years ago on a marketing firm that told the team they needed more “sexy” players like him on the roster.

“They didn’t didn’t need to hire a damn marketing team. I could have told them that for free,” Pedroia said. “It was all my friends. I don’t know, I just started laughing. Man, that’s pretty funny.”

With author Dan Shaughnessy standing to his left listening in, Pedroia was asked if he read the book of former Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

“No,” he laughed. “I have no time for that.”

Read More: 2013 spring training, Boston Red Sox, Dan Shaughnessy, Dustin Pedroia Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Felger

    Marchmont

  • Christina

    Welcome Back Dustin!!!! This is gonna be a great year, stay focused and don’t let the haters & media get you down.  GO RED SOX <3

  • Johnny Spygate

    DL by June 1

  • Coolmt02

    So Ellsbury can’t speak for himself now??

  • Coolmt02

    Dustin Penroia should NOT speak for ANYONE after the season he had last year.

  • Monstatroll

    Pedrioa has already proven himself, he can say what he wants. Yeah he had a down year and batted.290 which is still better than half the league. I expect him to bounce back. Give the guy a break, he has said numerous times he wants his whole career to be with the Sox, despite what the pay check is. Pedrioa should be one of the last players you have a problem with.

  • Jack Chase

    I do not think his teammates would agree with you.  He’s the epitome of the gamer, and he always has his teammates’ backs.  

  • Matty

     may 1, you;re being too kind when you say june.

  • Matty

     may 1, you;re being too kind when you say june.

  • Matty

     pedroia is the classic frontrunner of boston sports athletes. but at least he said 69 wins last season was on the players.

  • A1bruins

    hey know-it-alls! Dustin was answering a freakin question about Ellsbury, not talking for him!

  • Coolmt02

    Pedroia did NOT handle a terrible managerial situation last year professionally … He has NO credibility anymore. We’ll see if he can gain some professionalism this year.

  • Sean Rogers

    Settle down black cloud.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     Of course Ellsbury is “will be completely focused” this year. It’s his big contract year. 

  • Shennessey

    Ellsbury cares about winning like everybody else, what he also care about more is staying healthy and signing a big contract, its one thing to care about winning, its another thing to do what you have too to get your money. Some of these poster’s thinking the sox are going to have a great year? What team were they watching last year. The sox probably have the worst corner outfielder’s in baseball. they have a first baseman who is a horrible fielder.  Ellsbury will look very good in pinstripes next year

  • Dpalm789

    ellsbury wont be traded, if we do trade him we wont receive that teams first round draft pick for whoever signs him, so we are stuck with him and he will do good cuz its a make or break year
     

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/AF7QR2SQ5EFRIQYC6DVJWLANE4 ksm

    Why do so many people not like Ellsbury?  Yeah, I know he got injured  twice (freak injuries at that), but we also know what he can do.  If they do trade him, it will be a huge mistake.

  • Royalrooter

    Considering all the factors and variables regarding Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract, his age, health and current standing, I honestly don’t see any potential suitors for his services this year.   Teams will likely wait and see what happens after the season.  Although that can certainly change in a hurry in this league. 

    As far as where Ellsbury may end up, it would be foolish to speculate.   But I will say this: Don’t rule out anything.  Remember Danny Ainge?  Ellsbury is simply an exceptional athlete who excelled in all sports, including football and basketball.   He still has outstanding speed, remarkable mental processing, great hands and uncanny tracking ability.  Don’t think BB (a/k/a Hoodie) isn’t keeping an eye on this from some dark corner of Fenway.  LOL.  Just saying….

  • that guy

    Why is everybody running onto the court? And why is that dude spinning on the floor?

  • Otis

    I know, right? Michigan didn’t win the National Championship in 2000 either and Bill drafted their useless, lanky quarterback. Belichick has been running this franchise straight into the ground for the last 13 years and I for one, am tired of it.

  • Dee-fense! Dee-fense!

    How is it the 2-time Ray Guy award winner wasn’t drafted at all? With all the late-rounders that get cut, one would think this guy Allen ought to be a sure-thing for someone, yes?

  • Underground fan

    Such rapture,,,
    Slow down guys, we got a lot of talent coming in this year, and so far most of the holes have been filled, granted a veteran receiver would be better, but there’s still time so well see.. And for gods sake, you gotta get, Abraham or Freeny in here, again just the veterans presence could help this ever growing younger defence along way down the road.

  • Paul Edward McLaughlin

    Dear Bill, if you aren’t going to take this seriously at least sign Tebow. Thank you.

  • trollhunter

    could be a dimond in this group! Should be some great compition this spring!

  • Anonymous

    ALOT OF TEAM CAPTAINS SELECTED.

  • lobsterfarmer

    you are so right otis, I’m thinking i might buy a titans jersey this year. or maybe san diego they’re always a contender right?

Red Sox Box Score
Red Sox Schedule
Baseball Analytics Blog
Red Sox Headlines
Red Sox Minor League News
Red Sox Team Leaders
MLB Headlines
Tips & Feedback

Verify