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Ellsbury isn't even worth considering for big money unless he shows he can repeat last year's season next year. I hope he never gets the chance to do that in a Red Sox uniform. He should be traded in the off-season for a starter. They have enough outfield prospects, but they don't have the pitching. One of Henry's problems is he hates to break the umbilical cord. This has hurt the Red Sox in the past developing opportunities for younger players. That has to end if they are going to contend again.

One more thing about Epstein: Did you know that his grandfather and great uncle were the famous Epstein brothers who wrote the script to Casablanca--one of the greatest movies ever?

I don't know if he would be available. He's overpaid, like most of those top FAs, and is too injury prone for his salary. I think they ought to give Iggy a good look. Like 1-2 seasons. Then pass judgement on him.He has exceptional defensive skills. Let's see how he matures as a hitter. Rome was not built in a day. His problem right now is his manager, who is showing signs of stress and may not be the right guy to handle a bunch of prospects. I wonder if Henry has considered that.

I think Ciriaco is built more for SS than 3B. Tall, wirey, like Iggy. Looks awkward to me at 3B.

I've read a ton of stuff in the media--and in chatgroups lately about the Red Sox. In all this talk, I've haven't yet seen any distinction between Cherington's and Epstein's jobs: Epstein was GM and executive VP of team ops--he was given that authority as a VP in 06 after his gorilla suit episode. Cherington is a notch lower at GM. He is about where Epstein was in '02 when he was named GM. It is hardly surprising that Ben did not name the manager last September--in fact, what was surprising was the dog and pony show Lucchino let happen in the public vetting of managerial candidates by Cherington. That never should have happened. First year GMs don't hire managers--one level below them. VPs hire managers, as Lucchino promptly did with Valentine. In the corporate world, you get hired and fired two levels above you. Lucchino's and Henry's mistake. The fact is Epstein was not replaced. They hired a GM one level below Epstein--an internal promotion. And that may be the beginning of their problems, because Ben was given too much authority to hire a manager. The absence of an Epstein level guy to run team operations has led, I believe, to the power struggles and organizational dysfunction. And has caused Henry to intercede periodically to smooth over the situation. I guess Henry has saved some money not replacing Epstein, but it has led to a lot of organizational confusion. And now they are back to square one. And one writer, Ken Rosenthal, has even suggested bringing back Tito. What's next? Epstein, too?

One reason why they might keep him around another month is so they don't have to hire an interim manager. Maybe the guy they have in mind for next year isn't available right now--or wouldn't want to take over during the season. Too complicated with the coaches, etc. Bobby will have to hang in the wind for a month to get next year's pay for free.

So, what happened? How did this team collapse? I still haven't heard an explanation.

Nobody will give Ells Crawford money unless he bounces back big next year.

I think the front office has to be the focal point for what happened. Tito was basically a front office guy, and they apparently changed their "philosophy." Recall that they lost two top FO guys, Hoyer and Byrnes, about that time. They were probably the best of the lot, since they went to other teams as GMs. That left Epstein in charge of the rest, including Baird and Cherington. Unfortunately, the media doesn't talk about the FO much, so we don't know who was doing what. Now Henry says they changed philosophy and let James go. All this happened without the media saying a word about it. There is an awful lot more to this decline than chicken and beer.

Latest from Silverman this morning: http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1061157571&position=0 Henry and Cherington are in Seattle, and we''ll see what happens. LL is noncommittal about V's future. Clearly, it's a matter of when he will be replaced. Henry says they strayed from their core values the last several years, and Bill James, who went out of favor(!), has been brought back to help put a team together. Hard to see how Henry allowed a major philosophical change by Epstein et al. Theo's ego just got the better of him. Too much hubris in that organization. You could see it in the way Tito managed the last few years. They were playing for the wild card, and figured they could get it in September. And then all those "fielder's indifference" stolen bases got to be a joke. Cost them a few games. And even recently, sitting Crawford for no good f**king reason in the middle of a Yankee series. A**holes. Henry loves Cherington. That could be his downfall. Ben represents the past. Amazing this is the worst run organization in Baseball at this point, and Henry let it happen.

The story now , from Bradford of WEEI, is the Seattle trip is unrelated to BV. Cherington had a planned trip there. And Henry is going to a meeting there. Sounds a bit fishy to me. We'll see.

Well, Bobby is about to be relieved of his misery. Looks like he's managed his last game in Boston. I think he'll be replaced by Bogar--though I haven't heard. They'll want somebody inside for the rest of the season. Maybe they'll hire Mills on the spot. You don't know. That manager in Pawtucket is very good too--knows all the prospects. What they really need is to replace Epstein at his VP level with a senior guy--an outside guy with clout. John Hart would be good. The fact that Henry has to fly out to Seattle to relieve Bobby tells you something about the hole in management they have. The absence of Lucchino is very conspicuous. Note the media has neglected to raise the issue of a replacement at Epstein's old VP level. Seems that's what was needed all along. Cherington is a notch down, and the media has failed to point this out.

Silverman has just tweeted that Henry and Cherington have flown to Seattle. Looks like they are freeing Bobby V from jail--finally.

That's pretty obvious.

The FO has been showing they are still in charge the whole season. That's the problem. There is a disconnect between the manager and the rest of the organization up to Lucchino--who gave Bobby his job, and then left him hanging while he and Henry stroked Cherington. The result is the players are not playing for him--they know the score. Bobby won't resign because he wants his 2 years' pay. They can do everybody, including him, a favor by firing him right now.

The team has stopped playing for Bobby. And Bobby doesn't give a damn. It's time to replace him. Everybody can see that. Even Henry. You want that front office, Henry? Well you better let them pick their manager.

Yeah--he was told not to spend any money pre-season--and he, of course, didn't. So he is being rewarded for being a good soldier. But now that they have money again to spend, it looks like he is in over his head for what needs to be done. They do need a VP at Epstein's old level to take charge of the team and eliminate the turf wars. I do think the player resentment towards V stems from his lack of FO support. They think he has no authority. That will have to change with a new manager. And the turf wars so evident with the FO, the trainer, etc. will have to be eliminated. That can only be done from above. I've suggested John Hart as an excellent VP choice. Been there, done that. I read that LaRussa was in town recently, and some writer wondered if he would want to be manager. Does anyone think any outsider would want to be manager of this team after Valentine's experience? If they hire an insider like Bogar, it will just be a copout. As for LaRussa, he might consider the VP job--nothing lower.

I think you have to give the kid a chance to sink or swim. That hasn't happened yet.

Speier says it's time for V to go, and the overpitching of Aceves has been shameful: http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/alex-speier/2012/09/02/valentines-day-time-red-sox-make-decision-mana Why does Cherington get so much love from owners like Werner? He is not only tied to Epstein's failed policies, he has had a mediocre year in his own right, and his lack of support for Valentine has undermined the manager with the players and some of the coaches.The result is Valentine is showing signs of severe stress--with the way he has mishandled Aceves--and other things. He looks like he is waiting to be fired, so he can collect his 2nd year pay for free. The Red Sox will never improve until the owners recognize what the problems are and take steps to correct them. Simply removing Tito and Epstein clearly did not do that. Bringing in a manager with no FO support was a disaster. It's time to clean house--or sell.

wow. Closers pitched more than one inning in those days. Radatz might pitch the last 2 or 3 innings. Fingers and Sutter were like that. Radatz was the original "Monster" --before the LF wall was called the Green Monster. He was Dick "Monster" Radatz.

Yeah... something really wrong when they give up a lot of runs early. Lead the majors in that. Probably the coaching or preparation.

Well... Mars wasn't available then.

Ever hear the story where Radatz was paid big bucks to go up to a hotel room and throw oranges at a guy's ass? Read that somewhere.

Part of the problem is they use relievers when they don't have to--like when they are comfortably ahead. No sense in using 4 relievers to win 8-1. These guys wear out from a ton of 1 inning appearances where they throw 20-30 pitches heating up in the BP.

Radatz never had to do what Aceves has done this year. He has been all over the map. He is now being used to empty the garbage. Radatz was about 6 foot 5 and 260 lbs. Strictly a closer. Sidearmer.Overpowering for a few years, but didn't last. Most of these guys don't last.