Francona finally comes to state Tony G is in, Bell is out and not likely to return

[riverside sluggers]

Just refreshing to hear it finalized, him as a veteran its not likely he will return even to Pawtucket. The 20 game rehab ends tomorrow.

End is near for Bellhorn

By Tony Massarotti

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - Updated: 07:39 AM EST

 

DETROIT – Following a morning in which Red Sox manager Terry Francona identified Tony Graffanino as his starting second baseman, all signs yesterday pointed to the end of Mark Bellhorn's career with the Red Sox. Prior to yesterday's 6-5 loss at Comerica Park, Francona acknowledged that team officials have been in touch with Bellhorn's agent, Mark Rodgers, regarding the player's future. Additionally, the Sox manager addressed questions about the roles for the right-handed-hitting Graffanino and the left-handed-hitting Alex Cora. Said Francona succinctly: "I think Graffanino is our second baseman.''

 

While Francona emphasized that Graffanino will receive days off, the player's rapid ascent with the Sox makes the return of Bellhorn all the more unlikely. With Bellhorn's rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket set to expire on Saturday, the Sox must make a decision on whether to activate Bellhorn from the disabled list this weekend. Before spraining his right thumb July 17, the disappointing Bellhorn was batting .216 with seven home runs and a whopping 109 strikeouts in 283 at-bats. Were he to be activated, he would have to claim a roster spot being held by another player.

 

For the Sox, the ideal scenario would involve Bellhorn accepting a minor league assignment until Sept. 1, when rosters expand to 40 players. However, because of Bellhorn's veteran status, he would need to approve such an assignment, something that is not likely to happen, according to sources. Rodgers declined to say whether Bellhorn would deign to remain in the minors. Assuming Bellhorn does not agree to a minor league assignment, the Sox will designate him for assignment over the weekend. That could allow the club to negotiate a trade for Bellhorn. If there's interest, the Sox would likely receive little in return and still be required to pay all of Bellhorn's salary.

 

Because Bellhorn is earning a base salary of $2.75 million this year, it seems unlikely that another team would claim him on waivers. Any club doing so would be obligated to pay the estimated $725,000 remaining on Bellhorn's contract.So, barring an injury to a player currently on the Sox' 25-man roster in the next few days, Bellhorn will see the end of a Sox career that included significant contributions to the 2004 regular season and postseason.

 

"The Red Sox gave Mark a great opportunity when they traded for him (in December 2003),'' Rodgers said. "This isn't an adversarial situation. This is a situation where two sides are being as understanding as they can.''

[Sizzlin22]

I tihnk we all saw this happening.

[mosox]

Now if he can just get rid of Remlinger.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

and Millar

[sarasoxfan]

and millar..needed to be said again

[soxie thefangirl]

Oh well. I'm resigned to this. Graff is definitely a bazillion times better.

[elsrbueno]

and Millar.

 

It's worth saying a third time.

 

Mark Bellhorn: Thanks for the memories, I wish you well!

[sarasoxfan]

soxie, hats off to you...you're loyal and thats a good thing..nothing personal by all the attacks on markie you put up a good defense..but he was fininshed...

 

and millar

 

a fourth time.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Hey guys / gals can I get some feedback on the ticket giveaway ?

[yankeessuck013]

I think this is somewhat relevant.

 

If Tito can choose Graff over Bellhorn, why can't he choose someone else over Millar? Bellhorn has been better amongst second basemen than Millar has been amongst first baseman. Don't get me wrong, Graff right now is the clear-cut choice as the starter, and Cora is probably the defensive replacement. But if Tito and Co. can be "loyal" to one guy, why not the other?

[sarasoxfan]

IMO it's becasue the one thing millar does well is kiss management's assand bellhorn didnt.

Or the only other plausible explanation for continuing to play a guy like millar is that he has damaging photo's of tito dressed up as a chick f***ing sheep.

[elsrbueno]

I think this is somewhat relevant.

 

If Tito can choose Graff over Bellhorn, why can't he choose someone else over Millar? Bellhorn has been better amongst second basemen than Millar has been amongst first baseman. Don't get me wrong, Graff right now is the clear-cut choice as the starter, and Cora is probably the defensive replacement. But if Tito and Co. can be "loyal" to one guy, why not the other?

 

You make an exceptionally good point. At least Bellhorn was good defensively (albeit, not great). Millar is a stiff.

[riverside sluggers]

well you gotta admit this is "really something" because out of all players who was Tito most loyal to and defended? ol' Bellhorn. Besides that there's already talks on NESN that Petagine and Olerud will start sharing time at 1st base more as Millar stays in his slump, nearing 200 at bats without a HR, Edgar has about same ammount of at bats but still he's of course been producing more so not that much of an issue,

[sarasoxfan]

tito is a players manager and his loyality I belive is unshakebable just look at how many times he brought in ole embree.

 

Management luckily can overule a guy like tito. One of the reason's for tito's success with this club is is his ability to handle these guys without letting them spin out of control--given their personailty...his loyality to bellhorn probably is noticed by the guys and he wont be blamed when bellhorn is cask away. his loyalty to millar is also probably conisdered a positive though it makes me feel like yakking.

[whereisnomar]

Bellhorn was long gone the day he went on the DL. Just hope he doesn't brake open after the Sox, and be awesome. I believe that Millar is worth saying for a 5th time.

[Sizzlin22]

Tito loves Millar, and Millar will play and continue to play untill we get rid of him after the season.

 

Maybe management doesn't want him opening his fat mouth to all the players on the market how the Red Sox FO are "not loyal" to thier players? Reputation as a team definitly affects free agent signings.

[YanksHater213]

Wow, I woke up this morning, and I saw this, and it put a smile on my face. I feel bad for Bellhorn though, he was good in the playoffs last year. Oh well, better for the team, I still like and respect Bellhorn though, because through all of this speculation and stuff, that he has stayed quiet, and not pressured Tito at all, and just played (not well though, haha).

[soxie thefangirl]

Haha. I'd crack up if Bellhorn went elsewhere and played real well. I think he will play better somewhere else too. Boston sucks for players like him.

[sarasoxfan]

um, I wouldnt count on him doing any better elsewhere..

 

if he couldnt succeed in pawtucket whay would he do well elsewhere..

 

i dont the problem was Boston sucking, it was bellhorn who sucked.

[riverside sluggers]

haha well actually according to yankee fans on the yes boards, theyd take him

 

Bellhorn last year had a .370 OBP. He is a good player having an awful year, I'd take him for next year.

 

Great commentary....Enrique is playing in the DR right now. He couldnt even catch on with an MLB team as a bench warmer. Bellhorn is a bench player. I'm not saying he should start but he is clearly an upgrade over Escalona who looked dazed and confused at the plate against the DRays.

 

cano better watch out, if he keeps on playing like this, he will be sent down to AAA in favor of bellhorn.

 

I would sign him in a second. Think about it. What if Jeter or ARod or Cano get hurt. He's some insurance. He'll be cheap and no one from the big league roster will have to be sent down when rosters expand. He might not be starting material but clearly he is good enough to be a back up inf. He's still better than Enrique Wilson!!!!

[sarasoxfan]

they took embree...so I suppose they would take anyone...I would love to see markie in pinstripes strolling to the plate with two on in the ninth..

 

can you say: strike out.