In a recent conference call, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein revealed one part of his offseason strategy. To the satisfaction of most Sox fans, the Local 9 will do whatever they can to keep third baseman Adrian Beltre and catcher Victor Martinez playing at Fenway.
"Our first choice for third baseman for 2011 and beyond would be to bring back Adrian Beltre," Epstein said while in yesterday's Conference call. Beltre is coming off a phenomenal bounce-back season in which he hit .321 with 28 homers and 102 RBIs, earning himself a Silver Slugger Award. His defensive prowess also had him competing for a gold glove award at third base.
What about Victor? The media has made it seem as though Boston hasn't really been pursuing him too heavily, but Epstein was sure to dispel those rumors during the conference call.
"I know it's been portrayed in the media a little bit as if we haven't been pursuing him, but that's really between us and Victor and his agents . . . We absolutely want this guy back. He knows that, and he's known that for a while. We'll see if something can be worked out."
Martinez, despite playing in just 127 of Boston's 162 games last season, belted 20 homers and drove in 72 runs with a .302 average. Given the difficulty Martinez had leaving the Indians' organization, I have a feeling his preference would be to stay put. He's made Boston his home over the past year and a half, and I think both sides agree that the goal is to continue that tenure. As for Beltre, my feelings are less optimistic. I do believe he likes it here and I believe he would like to stay, but he's one of the top third basemen out there after last year's campaign. Teams are going to throw the house to get him. I'm talking about teams that have money and plenty of it. If the Sox want to keep their slugger, they're going to have to dish out the money.
As the hot stove will start heating up over the winter, these are two of the biggest storylines to keep an eye on when it comes to the Red Sox. If these deals get done, people will likely be feeling pretty good about the situation. If not, we might be in store for a long, cold winter filled with the agony of uncertainty.
What about Victor? The media has made it seem as though Boston hasn't really been pursuing him too heavily, but Epstein was sure to dispel those rumors during the conference call.
"I know it's been portrayed in the media a little bit as if we haven't been pursuing him, but that's really between us and Victor and his agents . . . We absolutely want this guy back. He knows that, and he's known that for a while. We'll see if something can be worked out."
Martinez, despite playing in just 127 of Boston's 162 games last season, belted 20 homers and drove in 72 runs with a .302 average. Given the difficulty Martinez had leaving the Indians' organization, I have a feeling his preference would be to stay put. He's made Boston his home over the past year and a half, and I think both sides agree that the goal is to continue that tenure. As for Beltre, my feelings are less optimistic. I do believe he likes it here and I believe he would like to stay, but he's one of the top third basemen out there after last year's campaign. Teams are going to throw the house to get him. I'm talking about teams that have money and plenty of it. If the Sox want to keep their slugger, they're going to have to dish out the money.
As the hot stove will start heating up over the winter, these are two of the biggest storylines to keep an eye on when it comes to the Red Sox. If these deals get done, people will likely be feeling pretty good about the situation. If not, we might be in store for a long, cold winter filled with the agony of uncertainty.
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