Hit and Run with Dan Roche

No real surprise that Theo Epstein went out one day after the World Series ended and acquired a player he liked. And, from what Theo said Thursday night it sounds like a lot of people in the Sox organization like Jeremy Hermida.

The former number-one draft pick of the Florida Marlins hasn't done much yet in his career. However, he's only 25 and most will tell you that sluggers don't really hit their power numbers until around age 28. So, in other words, why not?

It took David Ortiz a while to get it, so perhaps this another low cost risk by the Red Sox.

It's also the beginning of the off-season. To begin with, it's insurance if Boston can't re-sign Jason Bay. ESPN's Peter Gammons says that Jason Bay "brushed off" a 4-year 60-million dollar offer from the Sox, which isn't too surprising considering he's one of the top two hitters on the market. I would think a 5-year, 17-18 per is within reason. If the Sox lose Bay, Hermida is at least a legitimate MLB outfielder.

Hermida could also be included in any kind of trade package(s) that Theo has in mind. And, Theo will be looking at anything and everything to try and improve the club.

The off-season has begun.....

It became official just before midnight on Wednesday night as the NY Yankees won their 27th World Series title...the Red Sox off-season is officially underway.

We'll have plenty of time to get into everything. Theo Epstein was pretty good in talking with us at Josh Beckett's Boston Children's Hospital Champions dinner Tuesday night(and by the way, kudos for Josh and all the remarkable work he's done in a short period of time with Children's Hospital). Theo briefly tough upon Jason Bay and said what we all thought. That this a process and now has to play itself out. In other words, Theo and Jason want to see what the market bears for Bay.

Meanwhile, before we get to all that...I'd like to say "congrats" to the NY Yankees. Job well done. Under the usual Yankee stress, they were able to pull of a win. Yes, they spent a great deal of money in the off-season, but they still had to go out and perform. And they did.

The thing that strikes me about the Yankees is their core group that has been there for such a long time. I love that. Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, and Rivera. Amazing to watch that group of players as they drive others around them to excel. I love and respect the heck out of that. Always have. And if I had to put in order the Yankees that I respect the most? Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Pettitte, Damon. Just good ballplayers that find a way to get the job done.

Five World Series titles for the 4 Yankee mainstays spread out over 14 seasons. Amazing.

Now, I look at the Red Sox and I hope we see the core of players that are there now stay together for a long time. They are those same type of players that the Yankees have had.

Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Lester, Papelbon, Ortiz, Wakefield, etc....

I know the last two are a bit different as they are getting older. However, they play the game the right way. They care about winning, respecting the game and their teammates. Add Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and a few others to that list as well.

But, it's Pedroia, Youkilis, Lester, Papelbon, and Ellsbury that can lead this team for many years to come. The yound guys that are just now in their prime. I hear people ripping Papelbon and don't understand it. He's been ridiculous in a Sox uniform and should be here for a long time.

We just watched the Yankees pull off another crown...perhaps the Sox core can do the same several times over the next few years.

It would be fun to watch.

Joe Girardi said it was basically instinct and in watching Johnny Damon's steal of second and then third Sunday night in pivotal Game 4 was something special.

Damon changed the game..and maybe the series...with the swipes. In watching the replays on ESPN Monday, Damon had a "split second" to decide whether or not to go. He did and just avoided getting tagged out. And kudos to him on a great at-bat to get on.

After that, Phillies closer Brad Lidge threw nothing but fastballs and paid for it.

Great stuff. The little things win ballgames and that showed right there. Good for Johnny.

BTW, who is your MVP of the WS as we head into Game Five? Right now, I would go with Mariano Rivera.

Jason Bay told me Friday night that "nothing was going on" with his contract talks with the Sox. Said there's just a bunch of rumors out there.

I'm sure we'll have lots of those along the way....

Hope you folks have been enjoying the World Series. I have. Think it's been two pretty good games so far. Two great starting pitching duels.

I chuckle at how some people have said CC Sabathia didn't pitch that well in Game One. I'm sorry, but 7 innings, giving up two runs(solo home runs to Chase Utley) on 4 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts is a pretty solid start. The only problem is that Sabathia was opposite one of the great World Series starting performances ever.

Cole Hamels numbers were ridiculous: Complete game six-hit shutout with zero walks and 10 strikeouts.

It was a pleasure to watch him work the plate wityh all of his pitches. And, one of the best things he did? Kept the ball down. Everything was down in the zone. Against a great hitting team.

And then in Game Tow on Thursday, we get a vintage Pedro Martinez start. Six solid innings, giving up three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out eight. Great theater. Should he have come out for the 7th? Charlie manuel's bullpen isn't that great. Why not.

Meanwhile, Pedro was outdueled by much-criticized AJ Burnett, who was superb(7IP 1R 4H 2BB 9K). And then to watch Mariano Rivera! The guy is ageless. You feel bad for Jonathan Papelbon because Rivera is what Sox fans compare Pap to. Tough.

So, I know we all expected plenty of offense through two games so far.....but this has been two extremely enjoyable games for baseball fans to watch. I hope you're enjoying this.

......where I was when the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years 5 years ago on this night in 2004.

I was on the phone with my wife, who was trying to wake up my then 9-year-old son, so he could watch the final out. I was standing behind home plate...about 15 rows up...at Busch Stadium when Edgar Renteria hit the comebacker to Keith Foulke.

I watched it with my wife and son on the phone.....said, "that was cool". Hung up and headed down to the Sox clubhouse.

What do you remember most about that night? that season?

I will post some more thoughts about what I remember a little bit later in the day....but for now, looking for your input.

JED HOYER NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SAN DIEGO PADRES

- Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager departing after eight seasons in Boston

BOSTON, MA — Jed Hoyer, the Red Sox Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager, was today named the Executive Vice President/General Manager of the San Diego Padres.   

“Jed has been an immensely valuable member of our baseball ops team since joining the Red Sox in 2002,” said Red Sox Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.  “His combination of analytical ability, feel for the game, interpersonal skills and creativity helped make us tick, and he played a role in virtually every major decision we have made.  His loyalty and friendship will be missed, and we know he will continue to make us proud.”

“John Henry, Tom Werner and our entire ownership join Theo in expressing our gratitude and best wishes to Jed as he takes on this exciting new challenge in his already bright career as a baseball executive,” added President/CEO Larry Lucchino.  “Throughout the eight seasons that he spent with us, his insight, hard work and great judgment were integral to the team’s success.  In Jed, the Padres are catching a rising star and we will miss him both professionally and personally.”

A native of Plymouth, NH, Hoyer started with the Red Sox baseball operations department in 2002 and was named Assistant to General Manager Theo Epstein following the 2003 season.  He served as Assistant General Manager for the 2006-08 campaigns, with a 44-day stint as co-General Manager in the offseason following the 2005 season.  Hoyer, 35, was promoted to Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager on January 12, 2009 with his primary duties focused on assisting Epstein in all player acquisitions, contract negotiations and player evaluations.  During his tenure in Boston, he was actively involved in building the Red Sox roster, as well as Major League scouting, quantitative analysis and advance scouting.  The club reached the playoffs six times (2003-05, 2007-09), earning two World Series titles (2004 and 2007) in his eight seasons with the Red Sox.

Here's an event you may want to mark on your calendar....

Red Sox Pitcher Josh Beckett is a Champion for Children's

Boston, Mass (October 22, 2009) - Children's Hospital Boston today announced it will present Boston Red Sox Ace Josh Beckett with the 2009 "Champion Award" for pitching in to raise funds for cancer research and his dedication to making a difference in the lives of the patients at Children's. Beckett will receive the award, which is given annually to a Boston athlete for his commitment to the community, at the hospital's Champions for Children's annual dinner and auction November 3 at the Seaport World Trade Center.
 
For the last three years, Beckett has named Children's Hospital Boston the primary beneficiary of his celebrity charity bowling tournament, Beckett Bowl. Since its inception in 2007, the event has raised more than $350,000 for the Oncology Department at Children's Hospital Boston. Beckett regularly visits patients at the hospital and, through his charitable efforts, supports cancer care and research at Children's. In 2008, the hospital unveiled the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment Room, which features Boston Red Sox imagery including murals of Beckett and his teammates, crowd scenes and the historic Fenway Park sign.

"While it's truly an honor to receive this prestigious award, Children's patients, with their positive attitude, strength and perseverance, as well as the doctors and staff, are the real heroes," said Beckett.
 
More than 1,400 people - including sports legends and players, professional team owners and Boston's business elite - will gather at the Champions for Children's event to raise funds for Children's Hospital. Since the event's inception in 1997, Champions for Children's has raised nearly $18M for patient care, cutting-edge research and community health programs.

The gala will kick-off with a pre-game, tailgate-themed reception-complete with Ford pickups, plaid-draped picnic tables, and game day fare including sliders, mini sausage subs, fries and chili. Faux scalpers will also be on-site to sell raffle tickets for a variety of prizes. The event will continue with a high-end sit down dinner and a silent auction filled with sports memorabilia and one-of-a-kind experiences. Just a few include a Las Vegas package of a three-night stay at Caesars Palace and tickets to a Bette Midler or Cher concert complete with a meet and greet; two Grand Cru packages for the 2010 Nantucket Wine Festival; and a book club meeting and dinner with author Ben Mezrich.

WEEI-AM's on-air personality Glenn Ordway will serve as emcee.
 
The list of past "Champion Award" recipients feature some of Boston's most prominent athletes including Beckett's teammates Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek; New England Patriots Vince Wilfork, Matt Light and former players Joe Andruzzi and Matt Cassel; Boston Bruin Patrice Bergeron; and Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce and legend JoJo White.
 
For more information or to make a donation as a "Virtual Champion," visit www.childrenshospital.org/champions.
 

Here are the latest poll results on what you think the Sox biggest priority should be in the off-season:

1)  Re-sign Jason Bay                          47%

2)  Acquire another big bat                   36%

3)  Acquire another starting pitcher    11%

4)  Trade Papelbon                                  6%

Quick analysis: As the Sox try to somehow come to terms with Bay, they also will be looking to upgrade their offense. Tough to do because if they lose Bay, which I think they will, you've basically got to find two bats. Theo looked favorably upon perhaps pulling off a trade or two. Should be interesting to see how things play out.

A Red Sox spokesperson says that veteran pitcher Tim Wakefield underwent successful back surgery Wednesday morning at Mass General Hospital.

The 43-year-old Wakefield had surgery to repair a herniated disc.

Wakefield went 11-5 with a 4.58 ERA this past season. He was named an American League All-Star after posting an 11-3 record with a 4.31 ERA, but struggled with the injury in the second half making just 4 starts in August, Spetember, and October going 0-2 with a 6.00 earned run average.

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has an interest in Wakefield coming back and said as much in his end-of-the-season press conference at Fenway Park.

“Wake is someone that is in our plans and we hope makes starts for us next year and is a member of the rotation."

 The Sox have a 4-million dollar option on Wakefield for the 2010 season.