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.
“I finally got that call in to Carl,’’ said Valentine, who along with Pedro Martinez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and a host of Red Sox prospects met yesterday with children undergoing cancer treatment as part of the New Stars for Young Stars event to benefit the Jimmy Fund and the Pedro Martinez and Brothers Foundation.
“Carl and I talked a long time. It went good. He seemed very determined. He seemed very understanding of the fact that things got spinning a little fast for him last year in the new environment and he seemed to be determined to correct that.’’
Globe: Valentine is pleased with Crawford's attitude
I'm glad Bobby V finally called Mr. Telephone man to fix that thing that was wrong with his line so he can dial his baby's Crawford's number. That will do it for New Edition references.
Good for them getting off on the right foot and I'm glad that Bobby is pleased with Carl's attitude. What does that translate to and mean to the 2012 season? Nothing. I am sick of the hype and media coverage behind Valentine getting in touch (or failure to) with his players. This should have happened weeks ago, and we should be focused on player transactions and spring training. Sure, he is a high-profile manager with high-profile players, but just make all of the damn calls and move on.
Along with the comments about his conversation with Crawford, Valentine also talked about the latest Yankees' additions and he wasn't too worried.
“Pineda, when I saw him the first half of the season, he looked unhittable, and the second half he looked OK,’’ said Valentine.
“[Kuroda] will be pitching in the American League now and not the National League, pitching in not a great pitcher’s ballpark, coming from a great pitcher’s ballpark. He’ll probably be an upgrade from [Bartolo] Colon and [Freddy] Garcia, probably, seems it.’’
Valentine didn’t think the Sox had to do anything immediately to respond to the Yankees’ moves.
I'm not going to lie, the Pineda addition scares me a bit. I can get past the Kuroda addition, because he is much older, and as Valentine pointed out, he is moving to a hitter's ballpark in the AL.
If the Red Sox were to respond to the Yankees, they would be very disappointed due to the lack of talent available. They missed the boat on any significant deal because ownership couldn't find any clearance deals. They searched through the bargain movie bin at Wal-Mart searching for "The God Father" and came out with "Ernest Goes to Jail". Not sure if that is the best analogy, but you get what I mean. THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY! Good thing the Pats are keeping me sane during this awful off-season.
Related links: Herald: Skipper speaks with Carl Crawford | ESPN Boston: Valentine, Crawford talk over the phone | Valentine weighs in on Yankees additions | Providence Journal: Valentine gets in touch with Crawford | Valentine thinks Yankees additions "probably" an upgrade
The rest of the links:
Herald: Red Sox have a few roster battles | Rack 'em up | ESPN Boston: Valentine: Varitek's situation is 'unique'
Original Story:
