Tito And Theo, Unplugged.....

Well, actually, the mics WERE plugged in yesterday in sunny Florida, as the duo answered questions on a number of subjects near and dear to our inquiring brains. Here are a few of them, with my comments directly after. And yes, the entire non-sliced and diced piece is right there when you click on the title. But read my excerpts and comments first, if it suits your fancy......so without further delay, one of the hottest duos since Simon and Garfunkel, Sonny and Cher, Martin and Lewis.....give it up for Tito and Theo, live and unplugged.......

1) The bullpen....
"The biggest questions that could not be answered revolve around the bullpen, as both men acknowledged.
"The bullpen is the biggest issue," Epstein said. "Identifying the closer, sorting out the roles. You all know the names," Francona said when asked about the closer.
For now, Epstein maintains the stance that converting Jonathan Papelbon to starter is the most advisable course. "Right now, our medical people feel the best thing for his health is to be on a five-day program," Epstein said.
But there were enough qualifiers to reinforce the notion that the Sox will change course with Papelbon if they deem it best for the club. Papelbon has worked hard, Epstein said, on building the muscles around the shoulder joint that had allowed it to slip out of the socket on the first day of September last season, and they were optimistic about him staying healthy all season."

Peter here, and yes, we DO know all the names and all the what-if this and what-if thats. I'm confident while a little nervous. And Paps has NOT been ruled out as our go-to guy, but if it comes to that, it would mean that all the arms in the bullpen failed in their "becoming the closer" ambitions. Not a good thing. So we wait for the spring games. Next.......

2) Jon Lester...
"The Sox sounded more cautious about lefthander Jon Lester, whom Francona plans to meet with this morning (Sat.) as part of the solo sessions he intends to conduct with each pitcher on the staff. As splendid as Lester feels in the aftermath of four months of chemotherapy for a rare form of blood cancer, the Sox are of a mind to let him continue to build up his strength. Francona said he'd reserve saying more until after talking with Lester, but it seems Lester would have to be lights out all spring if he wants to break camp with the club."

Me again...sorry I won't leave you alone, not when I need to say something (!). Just the fact that Jon is in camp, healthy and strong while approaching his in shape "fighting" weight bodes well for him and for the Sox. I am so happy that he took the reigns and eradicated (for now, and hopefully forever) this dreaded disease that in SOME way has touched us all with its evilness. So go Jon...there's a place for you. And YOU know it as well as we do.
And lastly on the trio of subjects from this duo's revealing yet softspoken interview, sure to zoom up the Billboard charts, I bring you..........

3) His Mannyness
"Still looming as a potential distraction is Manny Ramírez, who as of late last summer had informed the club he really, really, really wanted to be traded this time. Neither Ramírez nor his agents have said anything publicly on the club's failure to do so this winter. Neither Francona nor Epstein has spoken with Ramírez, they said yesterday. But Ramírez has been in touch with "medical people, things like that," Francona said. "Manny's all set."
The Sox have heard from Ramírez's agent, Greg Genske, and have been assured their cleanup hitter, who starts the season 30 home runs shy of 500, is in a positive frame of mind and intends to report to camp."

Peter here, and thank you for reading these excerpts and my take on each of the revealing three matters at hand. As for Mannny, countless number of words and print space will be devoted to our quirky yet supemely gifted leftfielder/cleanup hitter. If he WANTS to give his all, and his body lets him, AND we find a closer in our midst, then the sky is the limit for this Red Sox team that we love. Oh, and please check out the original Boston Globe article by clicking on this post's title. I linked it for you. And most importantly, thank you for spending a few of your Saturday minutes with me...I REALLY appreciate it!

That's it for now. And let's give Tito and Theo a big hand for a great SHOW. "T and T," as they'd like to be known, and as their upcoming single identifies them on the label. A hot new twosome! On your way out, the DVD is available for your purchase, as well as posters and tee shirts.................RSN FOREVER! T and T? Maybe they'll stick to baseball.
Enjoy your weekend, my faithful readers...and as always, your comments are digested and devoured with love. By me!