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| JOHN FARRELL |
John said he heard from about six players Tuesday night after the Ellsbury deal was announced. "Because Jacoby and 'Salty' hit the airwaves that they both signed, it was, OK, are we bringing any guys back ? That was part of the question. I said, 'Absolutely, we're in the works. We're in the process', that's where Ben is doing the best he can with the two remaining guys, with Mike Napoli and Steven Drew we're going to do anything we can to bring both guys back".
John's other thoughts:
On replacing Jacoby Ellsbury : "Losing Jacoby Ellsbury, those players don't come along very often, evident by the contract he got in New York. To say how much we'll miss him will be dependent on what we do with the roster before next spring training -- whether we stay internal and look at our overall team, what we're capable of, that's probably the answer -- not specifically one player compared to Jacoby. We set about last offseason to produce a well above-average offense. We ended up leading all of baseball in runs scored. That will be our approach again. It's not a matter of who's going to come in and replace Jacoby. It's, how are we built as a team to achieve the same level of performance".
Can Ellsbury be replaced internally ? : "We have a center fielder in Jackie Bradley. Personally, this is me speaking, this isn't the organization speaking or Ben speaking, Bradley fits as we continue to fill out the other areas on our club. I think our overall goal is to have no less than a top five offensive team. So if you've got a guy who's still in transition and somewhat projection, you've got to have more competent and reliable offensive performers who are out there. Mike Napoli is still out there, our guy who we want to be sure to do everything we can to bring him back or get a performer at first base who will give us well above average performance. All of these things are in the equation. I guess that's the best way to put it."
Farrell's opinion of A.J.Pierzynski : " Bringing in A.J. in probably speaks more, one, the need. We need another left-handed hitter. A.J. fits the mold because we needed that balance from the left side of the plate. But what I think we're looking at is a short-term status, a short-term situation, that really points to Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart, who are coming. That doesn't mean by 2015 Vazquez is a starter, but it gives us the flexibility that if he makes another good step in the minors next year, it gives us the flexibility that he could step in. A.J. he has a perception or reputation across the field for not being the best guy. The multiple conversations with A.J. prior to his signing, we laid out our expectations, we laid out what our clubhouse was about. He was great about it. He was on board with everything. The bottom line is he wants to do nothing more than one thing, which is to win".
On talking to Pierzynski during the Postseason : "The FOX crew would come in and have the pre-game scrum. They would leave. He'd always be the last one out of the room, almost like making a point that, hey, I know the situation that is going on here and this would be a good place to come. He did a good job of kind of making that point known. We feel like he's going to fit in. If he helps stir the drink a little bit, all the more power to him. I feel like we've got a very close knit group here. He'll fit in".
On Pierzynski's 'Game Calling' : "He's prepared. He executes. He gets a good feel for what a pitcher's capabilities are. We feel like we got a above-average game-caller coming in. Look at the track record. He's handled young starters. He's handled veteran starters. He's been on pitching staffs that have been in the top 4-5 in team ERA for a number of years. The catcher is a vital component to that".
Will Shane Victorino move to center field ? : "If we can address the position, and again, it could be Jackie Bradley, if we can address the vacancy that Jacoby left behind by keeping Shane Victorino in right field, that would give us a very good outfield defense. Shane Victorino was hand's down the Gold Glove winner. I think he gets better routes on balls that are at an angle to him rather than straight at him. He's a center fielder in our spacious right field. What I was most suprised at was how quick he got rid of the ball and how strong his arm is. We've got to keep him from running into walls".
Can Xander Bogaerts play everyday ? : "If we were in a situation where he was our Opening Day left side infielder, we'd be comfortable with that. We feel like he's ready. Typically with young guys like that, you saw it with Jackie, bottom third of the order. Xander, we'll probably look to do the same. What he showed us, the patience and the strike zone understanding and the discipline at the plate, he's a special-looking player".
Is Brandon Workman a starting pitcher next season ? : "When you think that he started last year in Double-A and think that he pitched the eight inning of the World Series, pretty remarkable progression. Given where we are with six competent and established major league starters, he probably sees himself and we see him in the bullpen right now. He's unique in that he can do both. I still see him, because of the physical presence and the durability, you project him as a starter. But still, he's contributing out of the bullpen. If that's the case for the first part of the year or throughout next year, we know we've got a very good pitcher on our hands".
Who is he looking forward to seeing in 'spring training' ? : "Garin Cecchini is a guy, he's had such a good run offensively through the mid-levels of the minor leagues. He reads well through scouting reports. You talk to the player development staff and they speak very highly of him. Henry Owens, I had a chance to walk over on a off-day in spring training last year and had a chance to watch him pitch five innings and strikeout 13.
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