Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett hasn't been seen in good light so far during this offseason.
He was seen as one of the ringleaders of Fried Chicken and Beergate 2011. And now, it appears that he may be one of the reason why Terry Francona decided not to come back as the manager of the Red Sox.
Here's what Jon Heyman of SI.com has learned:
People familiar with what went on in the Red Sox clubhouse say Francona tried to stem unrest among the players with a late team meeting but believe Francona may have erred by never confronting Josh Beckett one-on-one. Beckett was seen by other Red Sox players as among the more vocal detractors of Francona behind the scenes. Francona long was beloved in the clubhouse so this was a unusual situation for him.
Now some people may not like Heyman but he is one of the more trusted writers out there and he's usually right. And given everything else we've heard coming out of the anonymous sources from the Red Sox and ...
Via Ted's Army
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November 13, 2011
Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
But with Papelbon agreeing to a new, rich deal with the Phillies on Friday, the scrutiny on Bard next spring will be intense. Even though the Red Sox likely will try to bring in another closer...
Via NESN.com
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November 13, 2011
Jonathan Papelbon set the market price for a crowded field of free-agent closers when he inked a reported four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies. Of the rest of the free agents at the position, none are expected to match Papelbon's $12.5 million annual salary, the second-highest ever for a closer. Heath Bell doesn't boast Papelbon's body of work. Ryan Madson became...
Via RedSoxLife
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November 14, 2011
Comcast SportsNet, Saturday:"David knows that we want him to be here, we want him to be back with the Red Sox, we want him in our lineup, and we’ve had a lot of dialogue to see if there’s a way to do that," said general manager Ben Cherington. "I think that will continue.”The Globe, today:In the case of Ortiz, Cherington has held talks with the DH, but he...
Via Boston Herald Sports
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November 13, 2011
With Jonathan Papelbon shipping down to Philly, the Red Sox must find a replacement for their closer of the past...
Via RedSoxLife
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November 12, 2011
As you glance at Bard's 2011, try to ignore September. Then it's not too bad.I'm actually willing to gamble on Bard as the closer. But I'd feel better knowing he was the guy (as would he, I suspect). No plan has emerged yet.And any plan is fine -- except, please, anything anything anything but "closer by committee."
Via Brewers Bar
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November 13, 2011
Maybe this will make the Cardinals more tolerable to Brewers fans -- St. Louis has named former Brewers catcher Mike Matheny as their new manager. Matheny will have the tough task of following Tony La Russa, and he'll be doing it without any managerial experience at any level.Without any past experience, it's hard to tell what kind of manager Matheny will be, and there&...
Via SI.com
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November 12, 2011
BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox are interviewing Gene Lamont for their managerial opening.
Via Boston Red Thoughts
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November 14, 2011
So, Jonathan Papelbon got the big money deal he wanted: 4 Years, $50 million from the Phillies, who has previous agreed to 4 years, $44 million with their in house reliever Ryan Madson. Apparently the kibosh was put on THAT deal by Phillies President David Montgomery.
And while I am not super heartbroken his leaving, I am a little miffed that, after 7 years with the only team he...
Via MSNBC
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November 14, 2011
(source feed provided no summary content for this entry)
Via The Soxaholix
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November 14, 2011
Al:
Well, Patriots back in first and, don't look now, but I almost, almost think I've bottomed out on Red Sox angst and maybe, just maybe I'm turning slightly less pessimistic...
Al:
I mean, sure we lose Paps, but we lose him to the NL and we do have Bard, which has been the plan for the future of the closer position all along...
Via MLB Trade Rumors
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November 13, 2011
A late-night snack for those of you with a hunger for news on baseball's two Eastern divisions:
Even after his kidnapping, Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos plans to begin playing for the Aragua Tigres on Wednesday of this week, tweets Mark Zuckerman of CSNwashington.com.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Red Sox will conduct a second interview with Dale Sveum...
Via boston.com
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November 14, 2011
Dale Sveum has emerged as one of the finalists to become manager of the Red Sox and is expected to meet with owner John Henry this week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, according to team sources.
Via Boston Herald Sports
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November 14, 2011
Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum is a finalist for the Red Sox managerial job and will meet with ownership this...
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