Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ When former PawSox manager Ron Johnson was informed of his promotion to be the new first-base coach for the Red Sox, one of the first people he called was a New York Yankee.

Johnson has been a close friend of Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long since "RJ" was his Double-A manager in Wichita in 1995. When Johnson, a minor-league manager for the last 18 seasons, was told of his call up to the big leagues by Red Sox manager Terry Francona recently, Johnson had one message for Long and the Yankees.

"I said, 'Hey, buddy. Congrats on the World Series, but it's not going to happen next year, bro.' When he asked me why, I told him. He told me that I deserved it and congratulations," Johnson said.

Johnson, 53, has been riding buses throughout the minor leagues since 1992 when he took his first managerial job for Single-A Baseball City of the Florida State League for the Kansas City Royals. Now there will be no more 3 a.m. stops at some greasy spoon along some highway from Buffalo, N.Y. to Gwinnett, GA.

Now he'll be flying on the Sox' charter flights and sleeping in the best hotels.

"I'm out of my mind," he said. "I'm excited beyond belief. My first big-league job will be with the Boston Red Sox. Are you kidding me? I've been around the game for a long time and I know I can do this and I know it'll be a good fit."

With the departure of Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, who was named manager of the Houston Astros last month, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein & Co. decided it would be best to promote from within. There were many qualified candidates and the final four were: Johnson, minor-league field coordinator Rob Leary, Lowell manager Gary DiSarcina and minor-league outfield and baserunning coach, Tom Goodwin.

The official announcement was made Monday evening and as expected DeMarlo Hale, the club's third-base coach for the last four seasons, has been named as Mills' replacement as bench coach. Tim Bogar will move from first base to the third-base coach's box, while Johnson will be at first.

Even though Johnson knew he could handle any role in Boston, there was still a little bit of doubt in his mind that the Red Sox would give him the opportunity because of his value at the Triple-A level.

Francona was vacationing in Las Vegas when he called Johnson to give him the good news.

"You still want to be our first-base coach?" Francona asked Johnson.

"I was like, 'Hell, yeah. More than I want to go out and ride my horse right now.' He said, 'Okay, you're our first-base coach.' I was doing a lot of yelling and screaming," said Johnson.

Francona told Johnson he deserved this opportunity and the Sox believe it will be a good fit for the club. Epstein followed with his own phone call to wish his congratulations.

It was no surprise when the Twins' Joe Mauer was named the 2009 A.L. MVP on Monday afternoon by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Minnesota's catcher earned 27 of 28 first-place votes on the ballot, and one second-place vote, for a total of 387 points. The Yankees' Mark Teixeira finished second with 225 points and teammate Derek Jeter finished third with 193 points.

After Miguel Cabrera, of the Tigers, and Kendry Morales, of the Angels, finished fourth and fifth respectively, the Sox' Kevin Youkilis placed sixth, while teammate Jason Bay followed in seventh place.

Youkilis is no stranger to the MVP voting. He finished third in 2008 behind winner, and teammate, Dustin Pedroia. Bay also received MVP votes when he was with the Pirates in 2005 and 2006.

--JOE McDONALD

It appears PawSox manager Ron Johnson is going to the big leagues.

The Red Sox have not made an official announcement, but Johnson will likely be named to Terry Francona's coaching staff.

After former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills left the organization and was named the manager of the Houston Astros last month, Boston GM Theo Epstein began an internal search to replace him. As a result, a current Red Sox coach will be named bench coach and Johnson will serve on Francona's staff.

Johnson, 53, has managed in the minor leagues for the last 18 seasons, including the last 10 in the Red Sox organization.

Epstein & Co. thrive on developing talent in hopes those players can succeed at the big league level in Boston. Now, Johnson will get his chance to join the many players he has sent to the majors over the last few years.

Known as a very good evaluator of talent, Johnson is well respected by those in the Red Sox organization, especially the current players who played for him at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Johnson has managed current Red Sox players Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Manny Delcarmen and Jed Lowrie.

Johnson has worked in professional baseball for 31 years. He played a total of 22 games in the majors for the Royals (1982 and 1983) and the Expos (1984) as a first baseman.

His son, Chris, made his major-league debut for the Astros in September.

--JOE McDONALD

On the first day of free agency, the Red Sox added to their pitching depth on the cheap, claiming 26-year-old reliever Robert Manuel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

Manuel, a righty, made his major league debut with Cincinnati this season, pitching 4.1 innings of scoreless relief over three games. He was subsequently traded to Seattle for Wladimir Balentien, and spent the rest of the season with the Mariners' Triple-A Tacoma affiliate.

Manuel came into 2009 ranked as the 27th-best prospect in the Cincinnati system, according to Baseball America. He relies heavily on an 88-90 mph fastball, and a compact and deceptive delivery, while mixing in a changeup and slider. He is a late convert to pitching, spending his high school and junior college years as an infielder.

First signed by the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 2005, Manuel owns a 24-17 record with 19 saves and a 2.88 ERA over 169 minor league starts. He has 339 career strikeouts vs. only 66 walks in 368.1 minor league innings.

The Sox 40-man roster now stands at 32 players.

Nick Green is used to this feeling. It happens most every offseason. The restless feeling of not having a job for next year, and not knowing where he'll end up.

Even after this season in Boston, when he went from an unknown to a household name among Sox fans, Green's future is uncertain. Green doesn't expect that he'll be back in Boston next season, though he'd love to be.

Green wants to start the season with a major league utility infielder's job, and it doesn't appear there will be a spot for him to do that in Boston. Theo Epstein said Thursday that Boston would be "acquiring a shortstop via trade or free agency" before the offseason ends.

That would likely make Jed Lowrie the utilityman, and Green would then presumably start the season in the minors as insurance. At 31, with 378 major-league games under his belt, Green wants to begin the season on a big-league club, and he elected free agency two weeks ago.

"I would love to go where somebody is telling me I pretty much have the job on a big league roster. I don't want to go spring training and basically be stuck in Triple-A. That's what the goal is this offseason, to find me a place where I can be on a big league roster to start the year."

If the Red Sox don't sign a starting shortstop, or the infield picture changes, Green would be elated to return to Boston as the utility infielder.

"I would've liked to stay with the Red Sox, but it's a business and that's how it goes. Just try see what's out there and see what the best fit might be. I don't know when that fit will come, but I'd like to know sooner rather than later, because it's always tough in the offseason not having a job," Green said.

After spending all of 2008 in the minors, Green, 31, came to spring training fully expecting to start the year in Triple-A. Then, injuries to the Boston infielders, and his excellent play, won him a spot. As Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie struggled to get healthy,

Green made the most of it, playing in 103 games and spending April through July as the regular starting shortstop. He hit .236 with six home runs and 35 RBI and played five positions -- including pitching two scoreless innings -- before herniating a disk in his back. The injury effectively ended his season, and forced him to undergo corrective surgery several weeks ago.

When assigned to Pawtucket two weeks ago, Green chose to become a free agent and test the waters, and he can start fielding offers from teams today. He may not see any for a while, however, as he expects teams will want to see that he makes a full recovery from the back surgery before signing him.

The surgery was successful, and Green is home in Georgia recovering well. He expects to begin baseball activities in a little over a month. He has to rehab the back, and rebuild the strength in his weakened quadriceps muscle, which lost power as the disk pressed on a nerve running down the leg.

"Everything went like it was supposed to go. They didn't have any problems with it, and I was up walking pretty quick -- I mean not walking very good, but walking," Green said.

Green is a natural second baseman, but with his powerful arm, he filled in acceptably at shortstop this season, playing 81 games at the infield's premier defensive position. Having now proven that he can play both middle infield positions, Green expects he'll be more marketable around the league.

In a perfect world, Boston, or his hometown Atlanta Braves would show interest (Green works out with Chipper Jones and Brian McCann in the offseason), but he knows that a utilityman is not in a position to be picky. He will be happy to go wherever a quality major league job is waiting.

"I enjoyed my time [in Boston], I had a blast the entire season. This was one of my most enjoyable seasons, for sure, 100 percent," Green said. "I would love to go there, but also, I have to see what teams want me, and what opportunity is there."

What were those Cy Young voters smoking?

Tim Lincecum, the Giants' lean righty who recently was found in possession of several grams of marijuana when stopped for speeding in his home state of Washington, has won his second straight N.L. Cy Young Award, despite winning only 15 games -- the lowest, full-season total in the history of the award.

Of course, that was only one less than the A.L. Cy Young Award winner, Zack Greinke of the Royals, who won 16.

Then again, winning 16 games for the Royals is tantamount to winning 26, so there's no gripe with Greinke.

But the Cardinals had not just one, but two, pitchers who arguably had better seasons than Lincecum, who led the league in strikeouts with 261.

Adam Wainwright led the league in wins, going 19-8 for St. Louis, with an ERA of 2.63. He also struck out 212 in 233 innings.

The Cards' Chris Carpenter was 17-4, with an ERA of 2.24. Lincecum's ERA, by the way, was 2.48 while going 15-7.

The combined total of 31 wins for Lincecum and Greinke equals that of Denny McLain, when he won the award in 1968 with the Detroit Tigers. McLain was 31-6 that season, with an ERA of 1.96 and 28 complete games.

That's right -- 28.

Those really were the good old days, when men were men, and so were pitchers.

. Sandy Koufax won back-to-back Cy Youngs in 1964 and '65. He was 26-8 in '64, with an ERA of 2.04 and 382 -- 382! -- strikeouts in 335 -- 335! -- innings. He completed 27 starts that season. The following year, the Dodger's fireballing (his curve wasn't bad, either) lefty was 27-9, with a 1.73 ERA, 317 strikeouts in 323 innings, and 27 complete games.

Lincecum becomes the first pitcher to win successive Cy's since Randy Johnson won four in a row from 1992 through '95.

The Big Unit, like Koufax, had considerably more impressive stats than Lincecum. In those four award-winning seasons, Johnson went 17-9, with a 2.48 ERA, 19-7 (2.64), 21-6 (2.49) and 24-5 (2.32). His strikeout totals were 364 in 271.2 innings, 347 in 248.2, 372 in 249.2, and 334 in 260.

Greg Maddux also won the Cy Young four years in a row, from 1992 through '95, with win totals of 20, 20, 16, and 19. What dazzled were his ERA numbers -- 2.18 in '92, 2.36 in '93, 1.56 in '94 and 1.63 in '95.

As for the man for whom the award is named, Denton True "Cyclone" Young won at least 25 games 12 times in a stretch of 14 seasons between 1891 and 1904. Five times in that span he won 32 or more, including 33 for the Red Sox in 1901 and 32 for Boston in 1902.,

BOSTON -- Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is one of the more well-respected individuals in the game of baseball. When he needs something all he has to do is pick up his cell phone and just about everyone will answer.

Especially when Ortiz is asking his peers to help out children, no one denies his request.

Along with Red Sox manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell, teammates Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Lowell, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield will join Ortiz for his second annual celebrity golf tournament Dec. 3-6 at Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The David Ortiz Children's Fund helps children in New England and the Dominican Republic who do not have access to critical pediatric services.

Other major league players set to attend the event include: Yankees' Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodriguez, the Angels' Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero, the Phillies' Pedro Martinez and Ryan Howard are also scheduled to attend.

Former Red Sox players Sean Casey, Jim Rice and Luis Tiant, along with Bruins legend Bobby Orr and Celtic great Jon Havlicek will also attend the event.

"I'm looking forward to gathering with all my friends for the second annual David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Tournament," Ortiz said. "It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase my home country while raising money for children who can't afford the healthcare they need. Everyone who participates is making a difference in the lives of these children."

The inaugural tourney in 2008 raised over $300,000.

"Seeing the support from everyone I called to come to my event and all the money we collected. It was pretty good," said Ortiz. "We helped a lot of children."

In addition to the event, there is an online auction that can be accessed by logging on to www.davidortizcelebritygolfclassic.com.

BOSTON _ The Red Sox are set to name their 2010 big-league field staff within the next few days, according to general manager Theo Epstein.

Former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills was named the new manager of the Houston Astros last month, so Boston has been interviewing internal personnel to replace him. Epstein admitted on Thursday one of the current coaches on staff will be named bench coach, and someone within the minor-league organization will be promoted to Boston.

Epstein and manager Terry Francona recently interviewed PawSox manager Ron Johnson, Lowell manager Gary DiSarcina, Red Sox minor-league field coordinator Rob Leary and the organization's outfield and baserunning coordinator Tom Goodwin.

"Tito's on a gambling bender for the next three days in Vegas, so probably shortly there after," Epstein said jokingly.

--JOE McDONALD

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ The free-agent period for Major League Baseball begins on Friday and Jason Bay will be atop the list for available outfielders.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has had "dialogue" with Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, about the club's strong desire to re-sign the left fielder. Bay, 31, has said he would like to return to Boston, but also wants to experience the free-agent process.

Epstein met with a small group of Red Sox beat writers Thursday afternoon at Fenway Park and said there's nothing new to report on negotiations with Bay's camp.

"I think this part of the process is important to him. He'll see what it's like and see what's out there and ultimately make a decision," Epstein said.

Bay reportedly turned down a four-year, $60-million offer by Boston to test the market. The Sox and Bay have had discussions a few different times since last spring training, and Bay is an important offseason signing for Boston.

"He's a priority, certainly," said Epstein.

Since arriving in Boston via a three-team trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in 2008, Bay has been solid at the plate, in the field and an important factor in the clubhouse.

During his time in Boston he's posted a .274 average with 45 home runs and 156 RBI in 200 games for the Sox.

According to Urbon, teams from both the American and National leagues are interested in Bay's services.

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ After the Red Sox were swept by the Angels in the ALDS last month, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein made it clear there were certain players he expected more from during the 2009 season, and he better see improvement in 2010.

David Ortiz was one of them.

Even though the Sox' designated hitter turned his offensive woes around in the latter part of the season, he couldn't completely recover from his early-season struggles. Overall, Ortiz finished with a lowly .238 average, but responded with decent power numbers, including 28 homers and 99 RBI.

During the three-game set against the Angels in the postseason, he went 1-for-12 (.083) with four strikeouts. Like the rest of his teammates, Ortiz was clearly disappointed and he wasted little time setting his sights on 2010.

He took only a few days off until he began his offseason workout. When he walked into the interview room Thursday morning at Fenway Park to promote his annual charity golf tournament, Ortiz was wearing workout shorts and a T-shirt and clearly has lost weight.

"He looks good. He's following through with a really good start to his offseason," said Epstein. He's lost some weight and he's in really good shape, so that's a good sign."

When Epstein addressed Ortiz's struggles last month, the GM said he expects nothing less than Ortiz returning to the powerful offensive threat he once was. Ortiz didn't argue with the statements.

"I've always been a force here. I've always been a guy who this ballclub counts on me and I know that for a fact," he said. "I'm going to prepare myself and try to come back and do it again. . . I try to kill myself exercising. I'm a big guy and no way can I sit down and watch TV and eat. I hate coming into the season with people saying that I'm overweight or I'm not in shape. I'm too old for that. You've got to take responsibility in whatever you do, especially your job."

Ortiz arrived at camp last February in tremendous shape, but once the season started his average and production at the plate were affected by a few off-field issues, including a report that he tested positive for steroids in 2003. He denied ever purchasing or taking performance-enhancing drugs and felt he was wrongfully accused. It didn't help matters much that his father was diagnosed with cancer.

As soon as Dustin Pedroia made the final out of the 2009 season, Ortiz quickly filed it all away.

Unlike last offseason, he's healthy and is not dealing with the recurring wrist injury he had a year ago and plans on beginning his hitting routine later this month.

Whether he wants to admit it or not, Ortiz has a little more incentive once the 2010 season begins. The 34-year-old's current will expire after next season and the Red Sox hold an option for 2011. Despite that fact, he says he will work and play as he normally does.

"I always look at my last year as my first one," he said. "What I'm doing right now I do every year. I don't want you guys to think what I'm doing right now I'm doing because it's the last year of my contract and I have to put it together. I do this every year because I want to bring my best to the field."

Ortiz is confident his personal goals will be reached in 2010, but what about the club itself. With the free-agent period beginning on Friday, there are some issues Epstein needs to fix and some holes that need to be filled if the Sox are to enjoy postseason dominance.

A year ago at this time Ortiz made it very clear he wanted a high-profile player with an explosive bat added to the Sox' lineup. That player - Mark Teixeira - eventually signed with the Yankees and was one of the reasons why New York won the World Series in 2009.

Entering this offseason Ortiz's wishes are the same.

"When I said that a year ago everyone was looking at me like I was a [expletive] clown," he said. "When I said we needed another 30 home-run hitter guy people thought I was crazy and was talking trash. Well, there you go. Everyone will always welcome a 30 home run hitter any time, any day and in any situation. You want to compete with [the Yankees] you've got to bring it - period."

Jason Bay, who produced 36 homers and 119 RBI in 2009, is a free agent and even if the Red Sox re-sign him, Ortiz feels another big bat in the lineup is important to the club's success.

"We always need help We always need guys capable to produce power and RBI," he said.

There's no denying the fact by the Yankees adding players such as Teixeira and pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, all were huge factors for New York winning the World Series.

"This division is hard to play in, so you've got to get stronger," Ortiz said.

He added: "Next year is going to be the one year where there's a lot of expectations around here."