March 27, 2012

Valentine Calls Globe Report "Lazy Journalism"

UPDATE, 10:00 AM:
Jose Iglesias has been optioned to Pawtucket.
Example
Christopher L. Gasper, Globe:
A wedge appears to be forming between new manager Bobby Valentine and new general manager Ben Cherington on the best way to employ Daniel Bard, starter or reliever, and the best place to employ shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias, Fenway Park or Pawtucket.

Valentine reportedly told scouts from outside the Sox organization he wants Iglesias, not utilityman Mike Aviles, as his starting shortstop. ...

Valentine has been lukewarm, bordering on openly cynical about Bard’s conversion from setup man to starter, a centerpiece of Cherington’s team-building blueprint, and a report, citing an anonymous Sox staffer, said Bard would be returning to the bullpen when the games begin for real.

Don’t forget that Cherington didn’t choose Valentine. He was foisted upon him by Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino ...

Disagreements between a manager and a general manager happen all the time. ... But what makes this one different is that it could define the influence that each man has in the Sox decision-making hierarchy and who has the ear of Lucchino.
Gasper's report is not the only one suggesting a difference of opinion on a variety of key issues.

Sean McAdam of CSNNE reported five days ago that Valentine favours Iglesias at shortstop over Aviles or Nick Punto.

CBS's Danny Knobler wrote this past weekend that Valentine would rather have Ryan Lavarnway as his back-up catcher, and not Kelly Shoppach. Cherington reportedly wants Lavarnway to begin the season in Pawtucket.

Valentine:
I think it's lazy journalism. That's what I think. I think it's an easy story to write. It has no validity. Absolutely none. I could have written it in on December 3d. Are you kidding me?

19 comments:

allan said...

Daily News:
In a raw new memoir, Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey reveals that he was sexually abused as an eight-year-old, and later lived with so much anger and shame that he contemplated suicide just a few years before signing with the Mets.

allan said...

Bogar says Iggy vs Aveiles is "a tough decision".

No, it's not. He hit [sic] .235/.285/.269 last year. In AAA. Let's see if he can hit minor league pitching before throwing him into the deep end of the majors.

johngoldfine said...

No, it's not. He hit [sic] .235/.285/.269 last year. In AAA. Let's see if he can hit minor league pitching before throwing him into the deep end of the majors.

I can understand old school guys not wanting to bother their heads with fancy new statistics, but if they aren't even going to pay attention to the classics, then what hope do fans ever have of understanding decisions?

Is this just one of those incredibly stupid deals where Cherington has his 'boy,' 3B has his, and after that who stays and who goes is just a dick-measuring contest without reference to either player's actual contribution or abilities?

accudart said...

why do I fear the shit storm that was last fall is still going on.....

Lex said...

long-time listener, first time caller.

: )

I never have liked Valentine.

FenFan said...

I agree that Aviles platooned with Punto is the better option to start 2012. Iglesias is only 22. Give him more time to develop at Pawtucket; if he's tearing the cover off the ball by mid-season, then consider calling him up before 01 September to make him eligible for post-season play.

As for whether there is a rift between Valentine and Cherington, is this from the same knights of the keyboard who disliked the poker faces of the old regime?

Ignacio Cifuentes said...

(allan, i'm a huge fan of your blog and this is the first time i write, sometimes it can be very intimidating... specially for me that english is not my first language [i'm from chile])

bogar says it was "a tough decision" because of the "fans"

have you read the praise that kid gets among fans on twitter? the kid makes the flashy plays everybody seems to like and media has overhyped his glove (don't get me wrong... i've seen him play and the kid is a good defensive SS but that's it) add to this the fact that he's homegrown and a lot of people is very "protective" about farm system kids, i mean (again on twitter) when reddick was moved to oakland people grabbed their digital pitchforks and wanted to go and get ben's head.

aviles (in my opinion) is not a liability as a lot of people has said he will be...

Zenslinger said...

ESPN ticker saying that JtC will make a statement today denying that he lost a lot of blood and that his life was ever in danger.

Great to hear from the first-time posters.

9casey said...

Some question wheter english is my first language....

Iggy is supposed to be the future, the real deal, a cant miss.

Aviles is a guy the royals didn't want...

It is a moot point now.

You would think are star ss in waiting is better than a reject from KC..

Screw this bullshit about letting him hi triple a pitching , lets see what he's got......

And dating back to last fall Bard is turning into a huge dissapointent....

Gregory Lynn said...

The upside of Valentine being an ass is that he'll call out a bunch of the mediots on their mediocy.

laura k said...

Ignacio, I could leave a comment in Spanish, then you would realize how good your English is.

laura k said...

The upside of Valentine being an ass is that he'll call out a bunch of the mediots on their mediocy.

Ok, there's one. If anyone knows any other upsides, let me know. I need to feel better about this thing.

laura k said...

Also, seemingly off-topic now, but WTG R A Dickey for breaking the silence and going public. Very very brave, and he helps so many others by coming out.

Ignacio Cifuentes said...

thanks laura... i'm flattered :)

allan said...

Aviles as leadoff hitter?

BV: "Maybe, yeah. Trying to warm up to it, see if I can see it. He quickly strikes fear into a pitcher's heart, I'll tell you that."

MacLeodCartoons said...

Brilliant - we clearly need Bill James to come up with a new stat that measures "speed of striking fear into a pitcher's heart". SSFPH for short. I think it might transform the game - make Moneyball look like a minor blip. StrikeFearHeartBall is gonna be a bestseller.

allan said...

With a career .318 OBP, he'll need to wear a goalie mask to the plate to strike fear in anyone's heart.

allan said...

Soxaholix weighs in.

Ignacio Cifuentes said...

and now it looks like we got damaged goods in the theo deal...
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2012/03/28/red_sox_rhp_carpenter_will_have_bone_spur_surgery/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Red+Sox+news