Theo Epstein On His Boston Red Sox

John Tomase of the Boston Herald had an interesting conversation with Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. As most of you know, the Sox added a new shortstop (Scutaro), centerfielder (Cameron), third baseman (Beltre) and starting pitcher (Lackey), who is one of the best hurlers in the major leagues. Epstein stressed run prevention, something that was sorely lacking last year due to defensive liabilities. Here he is...

“We knew if we just brought back the same club, we probably weren’t going to be a good enough run-prevention team to get back where we needed to be. If we pitch up to our capabilities and catch to our capabilities, we could be a pretty darn good run-prevention club,” Epstein said. “Nothing’s set in stone, nothing’s to be taken for granted. You’ve got to go out and prove it. There’s really no such thing as a surplus of starting pitching at this time of year,” Epstein said. “We’ve all been around teams that had, quote-unquote, too many starting pitchers, then struggled to find someone to take the ball. We’re going to prepare all our guys to get ready as starters, and see if we can find five healthy guys come April.”

A huge boost to Boston's offense would be a great season from Big Papi David Ortiz. He is said to have lost weight and bulked up during the off season. He obviously wants to avoid the type of start he had last season, a time of frustration and trepidation for him (and Red Sox Nation) in a big way. Theo on Papi...

“When he’s performing consistently as an elite hitter, as he’s done for almost his entire time with the Red Sox, he makes us a different team,” Epstein said. “He’s a guy that we lean on. We’re a different team when he’s carrying our offense.”

Carry us, Papi...once again. Also, spring training will be a time that Mike Lowell can show everyone what he can do after his thumb surgery. Theo said this about that...

“We’re looking forward to playing games in March when he (Mikey) can prove himself healthy and effective, which we expect to happen,” Epstein said. “Once we get to that point, if other teams have an interest in Mike as an everyday player, I think we’ve proven a willingness to listen to a trade that makes sense for both teams.”

I think trading Mikey would be a good thing for him. I'm a tremendous fan of his and I would hate to see him play elsewhere but with the acquisition of Beltre, who is absolutely the best defensive hot corner guy in all of baseball, Lowell would see little playing time. I'm sure there's a club or three who need a DH who can once in a while play third base. Mikey can still hit the round ball. That's for sure. His defensive range is limited but he can hold his own at the hot corner...three or four times a week.

I'll do a full player by player synopsis of the 2010 Boston Red Sox, the team I love to love, during the latter stages of spring training. Theo Epstein did a great job of turning the club into a defensively excellent team with a pitching staff that is elite in either league. They'll score runs, too, and they WILL be playing in October. You can bet your bippy on that (or your bottom dollar, if it suits you). Have a great Saturday and a terrific weekend, click on the title of this post for more on the Red Sox from the Boston Globe and as always, BE WELL. Thanks. Your comments are always welcome and always answered. See ya.