Thing are still quiet for the Boston Red Sox on the Jason Varitek front as the deadline for exclusive negotiations is coming to a close.
David Ortiz was on hand at Fenway Park yesterday to talk about his upcoming charity golf tournament in the Dominican Republic but he also talked his wrist and the fact that the Red Sox need another 30 home run bat in the lineup.
(Regarding his wrist): ”I know it’s going to feel fine. It’s feeling better. I had inflammation at the end of the season, but it went away. Just like the doctors said, you take a month, a month and a half without swinging, you feel fine.
“There’s one thing I can control is what I time I go to sleep. That’s it. After that there are a lot of things you’re not going to be able to control, and injuries are one of them. You have to just deal with it and suck it up.”
(Do the Red Sox need another middle of the order hitter): ”I think so, I think so. Especially our division the pitching is improving a lot and next year, let me tell you, you’re going to have to face a lot of good pitching.
“We just need a few guys in the bullpen and another 30 home run guy and we’ll be all set.”
If Kevin Youkilis can come back with another season like he did this year, Big Papi may not need that 30 home run back. But then again Youk isn’t your prototypical cleanup hitter.
Third base coach Brad Mills enjoyed his visit to Seattle.
Before Matt Holliday was traded to the Oakland A’s, the Red Sox were in talks with the Colorado Rockies about him but likely backed off due to the high asking price.
Here is the transcript of Tony Massarotti’s chat yesterday at Boston.com.
James Stewart of WEEI.com offers up what he would like the Red Sox roster to look like in 2009 and explains how they got there.
