“I have withdrawn my name for consideration by the Seattle Mariners as they search for a new manager," Farrell said in the statement. I wish them well as they move forward. My decision is based on family reasons and being committed to the Red Sox Organization. The working relationship shared with Theo and Tito and the resources provided by John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino create a situation that is both challenging and rewarding.”Bench coach Brad "Millsie" Mills interviewed with the Mariners today, and third base coach DeMarlo Hale is scheduled for his interview on Thursday.
The Sox appeared to be bringing back most of their staff -- with the exception of first base coach Luis Alicea, who was let go by the organization -- but could need to fill a hole in the coming weeks.
Bottom Line: Coaches come and go and I think they deserve every opportunity to climb up the food chain and fight for a shot at Managing their own club... but I'm very happy to hear that Farrell will be back with the Sox in 2009 - with Tek possibly on his way out, more kids in the farm and Beckett coming back from injuries, we need Farrell to keep the staff on track.
Brad Mills did a great job filling in for Tito on occasion and is clearly one of Tito's best buds... I wish him well if he leaves, but I'll be happy if he stays.
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Matt Holliday is an Oakland Athletic... for now:
The deal includes starter Greg Smith, RP Houston Street and OF Carlos Gonzalez.Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke to Smith, who is flying to Denver for a physical. She agrees that Street and Gonzalez are the other two players.
Ryan from Fire Brand of the AL thinks that Matt Holliday's move to Oakland may be the beginning of the end for Billy Beane...
From SI.com -- Oakland owner Lew Wolff has recently told confidants he's tired of losing, and this may be the first step toward contending again. Although, they better do it soon, as Holliday is eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. He is to make $13 million in '08, a princely sum for an Oakland player. The A's could also consider trading Holliday, perhaps at the deadline, if they so desire.
FBAL -- I have to agree with the article; this trade doesn't make much sense for the A's, who are not really close to competing, even in the weak AL West. Rumors about Billy Beane's retirement have been floating around for a few years, so is it possible this is the first of many trades in his farewell tour? It wouldn't surprise me to see an egomaniac like Beane break the bank to win a championship in 2009 if he plans on retiring at year's end.
Bottom Line: Holliday was on the Red Sox radar, but with Boras as his agent, he was not likely to sign a new deal without taking advantage of the Free Agent Market first... Holliday will help the A's, but they need more than one bat... and it will interesting to see how well that bat performs away from Coors Field.
If Holliday keeps hitting, he may be back on the Theo's radar in '09... if he falters, we will thank the A's for testing the theory out for us...
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Jon Lester was awarded the 2008 Hutch Award, given annually to the ballplayer who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of baseball great Fred Hutchinson (who died from cancer in 1964 at age 45), both on and off the field.
"This is a tremendous honor for me and my family to have been selected for the Hutch Award," Lester said in a statement released by the Fred Hutchinson Center. "I'm humbled to know that legends such as Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Lou Brock have won this award in the past."Centerfield has a nice recap and tells us that despite earning 3rd place in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting, Jacoby Ellsbury did earn some hardware this year: The James "Cool Papa" Bell Award - a Legacy Award presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City to the AL stolen base leader.
Bottom Line: Congrats to both, but you have to admit Jacoby's award has a much cooler name...
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