The Red Sox seem quite comfortable spending liberally to bring players into the organization from other teams while simultaneously refusing to give their own players similar consideration when negotiating new deals.
The question is—why?
Is it a question of knowing all of the peccadilloes of your own players while not knowing about those of the players being signed from other teams?
It is inarguable that the Red Sox ownership has spent money lavishly since assuming its stewardship of the franchise, in terms of the price paid for the team (and NESN), retro-fitting an aging Fenway Park, and team payroll (consistently one of the top three or four payrolls in all of baseball).
Furthermore, the front office offered big-money deals to several of the club’s most productive stars who ultimately left the city for bigger paydays.
Pitcher Pedro Martinez and outfielders Johnny Damon and Jason Bay were all offered comparable annual salaries to those they obtained elsewhere, but the front office balked at signing off on the length of contract given by the NY Mets, NY Yankees and NY Mets, respectively.
In terms of Martinez, Theo & Co. proved to be right in terms of his potential for injury. In terms of Damon, it is arguable he was worth both the money and the length of the deal he was signed to by the Yankees, and in terms of Bay, the jury is still out.
The team played hardball and won with both Josh Beckett (the first contract extension), Mike Lowell, Curt Schilling, and Jason Varitek, who all signed team-friendly contracts to stay in Boston. But those deals were all signed before the current situation with Lowell presented itself, and like it or not, the front office will almost certainly find that players will be less willing to sign for the hometown discount due to the organization’s shabby treatment of Lowell.
And all of this has played out while the ballclub has demonstrated a willingness to sign players like JD Drew and John Lackey to big-money long-term deals in order to lure them to Boston, though both of the players signed deals that included language that protects the club (in terms of injury).
With the recent signing of Joe Mauer in Minnesota, it is arguable the Red Sox now have two players who will be the most appealing pitcher and hitter in the 2010-11 free agent class—Josh Beckett and Victor Martinez. So the question must be asked—why are the Sox dragging their feet in finalizing deals with these two guys?
Based on team history, it seems more likely than not that both guys will leave Boston if a deal isn’t in place by Opening Day.
According to reports, negotiations with Beckett have progressed well. He is receptive to providing the ballclub with language that is similar to that which Lackey agreed to. So, what’s the hold up? Beckett has incentive to reach an agreement due to bouts of ineffectiveness and injury concerns… The team has incentive to reach a deal because they don’t want to lose a front-of-the-rotation talent.
If Beckett leaves the Red Sox, the front office will find itself in a position where it has to overpay for free-agent-to-be Cliff Lee, or having to choose between the likes of RHPs Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Duchscherer or LHP Erik Bedard—all of whom pose far greater injury risks than Beckett.
In the wake of the Mauer signing, we learned from Martinez that the Red Sox have not approached his agent to discuss a contract extension. THAT fact must make Victor feel really wanted here in Boston! Are you kidding me? Are we expected to believe that no one in the front office has had time to make a telephone call to V-Mart?
As I wrote a few weeks ago, Martinez provided an immediate boost to the offense after his arrival from Cleveland last season. He hit .336, with 41 RBI, a .405 OBP and a .912 OPS in 56 games with the Sox. Moreover, he possesses a historically productive bat at a position where the Sox have only one minor leaguer who may make an impact on offense (Luis Exposito).
Since 1901, there have been 117 catchers who have accrued at least 2,500 plate appearances by the age of 30… among them, V-Mart ranks 10th with an .837 OPS. And of the nine players in front of him, five are in the Hall of Fame (Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey, Gabby Hartnett, Carlton Fisk, and Yogi Berra) and two others (Mauer and Mike Piazza) likely will get there eventually. An eighth (Joe Torre) seems a sure bet to get there eventually as a manager.
In Martinez, we are not talking about a guy who is good for his era, we are talking about a guy who excels in a historical context. And even if there are questions about his long-term viability behind the plate, or if Exposito should develop into the catcher of the future, Martinez provides an option at DH (David Ortiz will be a free agent at the end of the year) and/or at first base (with 1B Kevin Youkilis moving back to third base when Beltre’s deal expires).
With Mauer out of the mix, Martinez will be the obvious standout in next winter’s free agent class. Furthermore, his career suggests he will be one of the top offensive catchers to reach free agency in history. After Martinez, the next best option in free agency might be— gulp— Gerald Laird.
So why hasn’t someone picked up a darned telephone?
The Sox need to get these deals done, now. Then they need to make an announcement at Fenway Park on Opening Night, fifteen minutes before the players are introduced to the assembled members of The Nation. The announcement needs to be timed so that Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera— who will both be unsigned and sitting in the visitor’s dugout on Opening Day— within earshot:
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Red Sox are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement with Josh Beckett and Victor Martinez on new long-term contracts.” As the announcement is made, they need to put details of the contracts on the scoreboard in center field.
Now that would be a great way to start a world championship season.
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