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What they're saying in Tampa

By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla. -- What new acquisition Javier Lopez, assistant general manager Jed Hoyer, manager Terry Francona, and Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli said before tonight's game in Tampa:

Jed Hoyer, assistant general manager
-- ''It's never a good time to lose Jason Varitek, the heart of the ballclub, but losing him on July 31, the trading deadline makes a trade difficult. We're excited we were able to find a good solution like Javy Lopez so quickly.''
-- ''Every report indicates his catching skills are what they have been. He's a good defensive catcher, a guy we're confident can run the pitching staff.''
-- ''When Javy became available to us we were excited. We weren't going to miss out on that opportunity. He's excited to be here, excited for the opportunity. He puts us in solid catching position. We have two great options behind the plate until Jason gets back.''

Manager Terry Francona
-- ''He [Lopez] hasn't caught that much. I told him he's going to have to let me know how he feels physically.''
-- On the fact that Lopez doesn't know the Sox pitchers: ''There's not going to be a big learning curve. He's an experienced catcher. He hasn't caught much [this season], but he has caught a lot [in his career]. He's caught some pretty good pitchers [with the Braves]. If our guys throw the ball over the plate like they're supposed to, he can catch. The more familiarity [a catcher has with a staff] the better, but we don't have that luxury right now. ''

Doug Mirabelli
-- ''He's played a long time. He knows what to do behind the plate. It's not like bringing up some young kid who has been here before. He has knowledge. The guy's been in many meaningful games in his career. The pressure won't bother him. He's been a very good hitter for years.''
-- ''You would assume he would definitely get serious playing time with his ability to catch.''

Javy Lopez
-- ''This is the opportunity I was pretty much looking for from Day 1 this year, to be on a contending team. [To be on] the Boston Red Sox makes it even better. It is a good feeling, but I haven't even played a game yet.''
-- ''I'm excited. It's a change in atmosphere I can feel right now. I can get back on track. I haven't been in the playoffs for a while.
-- ''I'll just catch as many games as they want me to. He [Francona] knows what I've been through, that I haven't played much for the Orioles as a catcher.
-- (On learning the staff) ''There is some challenge in it. Here I'll have some veteran pitchers so that will make it easier behind the plate than catching rookies.''
-- (On feeling pressure) ''It is pressure, no doubt about it. I just have to erase it from my head. It doesn't do any good putting pressure on yourself. I just have to focus on playing. It's a big responsibility behind the plate, calling the game. I'm responsible for the pitcher. I know my position here. Based on my experience, I have to do the best I can.''
-- ''I was pretty frustrated with the Orioles. They signed Ramon Hernandez and I knew I wasn't going to catch a lot, and that was frustrating, especially in the last year of my contract. None of the things they told me ever happened from Day 1. They talked about me playing first base after they signed Ramon, they talked about an extension and told me I'd catch some. I never played first base after spring training.. I'm not ready to be a fulltime DH. It's not a position for me after catching for 13 years. It was all frustrating. I had back, shoulder, neck [troubles], and that came from not catching. Basically I'm not in the shape I was in when I caught every day.''

Posted by Art  at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments 2

Adam Stern heading to Orioles for Javy Lopez

By SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Adam Stern will be the player sent to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Javier Lopez, but -- even though the Lopez-to-Boston deal has been finalized and the veteran catcher is in Tampa with the team for tonight's game -- there exists a good chance Stern will not join the Orioles until after the regular season.

The Sox and Orioles agreed on the Lopez-for-Stern swap on Thursday evening, but the deal required the approval of commissioner Bud Selig, who must okay any deal in which one club transfers more than $1 million to the other, and for Stern to clear major-league waivers.

Selig signed off on the cash transfer yesterday, but the waivers on Stern will not expire until Monday, an industry source familiar with the situation said today.

It's unlikely Stern will clear waivers since the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have made clear they intend to block the deal by claiming Stern in retaliation for what they view to be tampering on the part of the Red Sox earlier this week.

The Devil Rays believe the Red Sox contacted Dan Lozano, the agent who represents shortstop Julio Lugo, prior to the 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline on Monday in an effort to determine whether Lugo would be willing to play second base in the event the Sox obtained him, and discover whether Lugo would be interested in signing a long-term contact extension with the Sox immediately. Lugo, who is eligible for free agency aftter this season, was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Red Sox acknowledge they engaged in trade tralk with the Devil Rays for Lugo, but steadfastly maintain that Lozano contacted them regarding Lugo, and not, as the Devil Rays charge, the other way around.

If, as expected, the Rays claim Stern, the Sox will be forced to withdraw him from waivers. They can't risk placing him on waivers again, since the waivers are irrevocable the second time a player goes through the process. Any team claiming Stern in that case would immediately take possession of his contract.

An industry source said the Orioles, though disappointed, would be willing to wait until the end of the season if the Devil Rays claim Stern and the Sox withdraw waivers. The two teams did not discuss sending another player in Stern's place, but have a contigency plan if Stern is injured between now and the end of the regular season.

Posted by Art  at 2:28 PM | Permalink